Description
This Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage, and Spinach is the ultimate comfort food for busy evenings. Juicy, seasoned meats and tender pasta are tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce, finished with fresh spinach and Parmesan. It’s a rich, hearty dish that comes together fast and fills the table with smiles.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
4 cups fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and Italian sausage together. Crumble the meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce is creamy and thickened slightly. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
5. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Add in the cooked rotini and toss everything together. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta; it should be slightly firm to hold up to the creamy sauce.
If using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out the moisture before adding to avoid watering down the sauce.
To make the sauce extra silky, stir in the Parmesan slowly and allow it to melt fully before adding the pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cup
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: garlic butter pasta, weeknight dinner, creamy rotini