Description
This easy Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach is a hearty, one-pan pasta dinner made with tender rotini, savory meats, fresh spinach, and a buttery garlic sauce. Perfect for busy nights, this comfort food recipe delivers bold flavors in under 30 minutes. Keywords: garlic butter pasta, ground beef and sausage pasta, one-pan dinner, easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Break it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
3. Reduce heat to low and stir in the minced garlic and butter. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add cooked rotini to the skillet and stir well to coat in the garlic butter.
5. Toss in spinach and cook until wilted.
6. Stir in the cheese and heavy cream (if using), mixing until melted and creamy.
7. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
8. Serve warm with extra cheese or fresh herbs on top, if desired.
Notes
For a bolder flavor, use spicy Italian sausage and double the garlic.
Don’t overcook the spinach; it should just wilt and stay vibrant.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the dish feels too dry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg