Comfort food doesn’t get more satisfying than a bowl of this Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach. This rich and cozy pasta dish is loaded with flavor from creamy garlic butter sauce, savory Italian sausage, tender spinach, and melted cheese that clings to every noodle.

Perfect for weeknights when you want something indulgent but easy to pull together, this recipe is both hearty and simple. It brings together a handful of staple ingredients and transforms them into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have everyone going back for seconds.

What Kind of Sausage Works Best for This Pasta?

For the boldest flavor, spicy Italian sausage is a fantastic choice. It adds a touch of heat and depth to the creamy base. If you’re serving picky eaters or prefer a milder flavor, sweet Italian sausage or even ground turkey sausage will work just as well. Just make sure to brown it thoroughly so it develops that irresistible savory crust.

Ingredients for the Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Italian Sausage – The star of the dish, it brings rich, meaty flavor. Choose between hot or sweet depending on your spice preference.

Spaghetti – Classic and perfect for catching all that creamy sauce. You could also use linguine or fettuccine if you prefer a different shape.

Fresh Spinach – Adds color, nutrients, and a lovely contrast to the richness of the sauce.

Garlic – Essential for building a fragrant, buttery base.

Butter – The foundation of the sauce. It gives a velvety texture and a luxurious taste.

Heavy Cream – This creates the luscious, creamy body of the sauce that makes the dish so comforting.

Mozzarella Cheese – Melts beautifully and adds that signature stretchy, cheesy topping.

Parmesan Cheese – For a salty, nutty kick that finishes the sauce perfectly.

Red Pepper Flakes – Optional, but adds a nice touch of heat if you’re using mild sausage.

Salt & Black Pepper – For seasoning to taste and balancing the richness.

How To Make the Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat. Break it into crumbles as it cooks until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic

In the same pan used for the sausage, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine with the garlic butter. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.

Step 5: Add Spinach and Sausage

Add fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and mix everything together.

Step 6: Toss the Pasta

Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Toss to combine, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Step 7: Top with Mozzarella

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and let it sit for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts into gooey perfection.

How to Serve and Store Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Serve this pasta hot and fresh from the skillet, with extra Parmesan on top and maybe a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for color. Pair it with warm garlic bread or a crisp green salad to balance the richness.

For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to bring back the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid freezing, as the dairy may separate when thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this dish lighter?

Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half and use a lower-fat cheese. You can also reduce the amount of sausage or choose turkey sausage.

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes! Just thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before adding it to the sauce so it doesn’t water down the creamy base.

What other pasta shapes work well?

Linguine, fettuccine, or even penne all hold up beautifully in this sauce.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Absolutely. Omit the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted red peppers for a meatless twist.

Is this dish spicy?

It can be if you use hot Italian sausage and red pepper flakes. If you prefer it mild, stick with sweet sausage and skip the flakes.

Can I add other veggies?

Sure! Bell peppers, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes would all complement the flavors and add texture.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Creamy Twist?

If you love this Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti, here are a few more comforting pasta recipes you might enjoy:

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rotini in Parmesan Sauce for a dreamy garlic-forward pasta.
Garlic Parmesan Beef Spaghetti Pasta if you’re craving more cheesy, meaty flavor.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine to mix bright citrus with creamy richness.
Bowtie Pasta with Creamy Velveeta Beef Sauce for a nostalgic, ultra-melty dinner.

For even more recipe inspiration and behind-the-scenes cooking moments, follow me on Pinterest: Life with Nina

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how it turned out for you. Did you go with spicy sausage or mild? Add more cheese on top?

I always love seeing how you make these dishes your own. Share your version or ask questions—let’s cook together!

Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Print Recipe

Description

This Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach is a comforting and indulgent pasta dish loaded with bold flavors. A creamy garlic butter sauce wraps around every noodle, while Italian sausage and fresh spinach add richness and balance. Perfect for weeknights when you need a cozy, satisfying meal fast.

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

2. Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.

3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in red pepper flakes if using.

4. Add heavy cream to the skillet and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce thickens.

5. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Return sausage to the skillet and stir to combine.

6. Add drained spaghetti and toss to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.

7. Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

8. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and herbs if desired.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in an additional ¼ cup cream before serving.

Use pre-washed baby spinach for quicker prep and a tender texture.

For a crispy cheese top, broil the pan (oven-safe) for 2 minutes instead of covering it.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 735
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 930
Fat: 48
Saturated Fat: 24
Unsaturated Fat: 20
Trans Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 3
Protein: 34
Cholesterol: 120

Keywords: cheesy spaghetti, sausage pasta, garlic butter spaghetti