Description
This Indulgent Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage is a rich and flavorful pasta dish perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender spaghetti tossed with savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and melted Parmesan cheese creates a creamy, satisfying meal with a delicious garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Spaghetti (Any long pasta can be substituted.)
Meat
- 1 lb Italian Sausage (Can substitute with chicken sausage.)
Dairy & Fat
- 4 Tbsp Butter (Olive oil can be used as a lighter substitute.)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese or Mozzarella (shredded) (Freshly grated cheese is preferred.)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) (Fresh cloves are recommended.)
- 4 cups Fresh Spinach (Can swap with kale or arugula.)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (Other tomatoes can be used or omitted.)
Seasonings
- to taste Salt (Essential for seasoning.)
- to taste Black Pepper (Essential for seasoning.)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water for later use.
- Brown the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in olive oil. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic in butter: In the same skillet, reduce the heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the fresh spinach and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften, stirring occasionally.
- Combine pasta and sausage: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and add the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together, gradually adding the reserved pasta water as needed to reach a creamy consistency.
- Finish with cheese and seasoning: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the spaghetti hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute olive oil for butter.
- Chicken sausage can be used in place of Italian sausage for a milder flavor.
- Fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor.
- Other greens like kale or arugula can replace the spinach.
- Use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and taste.
- Reserve pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce.
