Print

Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach
Print Recipe

Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach is a hearty and flavorful dinner that blends tender rotini pasta with a rich garlic butter sauce, savory ground beef, spicy Italian sausage, and fresh spinach. This quick and easy recipe delivers bold flavors and balanced nutrition, perfect for busy weeknights or weekend meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz rotini pasta

Meats

  • 8 oz ground beef
  • 8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced (divided)

Sauces & Fats

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Cheese & Seasonings

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rotini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later use.
  2. Brown the Meats: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and half of the minced garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart as they cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7–8 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and add butter to the skillet with the meat mixture. Stir until melted. Add the remaining minced garlic and cook just until fragrant to infuse the sauce.
  4. Incorporate Spinach: Add fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss the mixture until the spinach wilts, approximately 2 minutes, allowing it to soften and blend into the sauce.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked rotini to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water little by little to adjust the sauce consistency, ensuring it coats the pasta evenly.
  6. Finish with Cheese and Seasoning: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Stir well and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm for best flavor.

Notes

  • Choose quality Italian sausage with herbs and mild spice for best flavor.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture helps hold the sauce better.
  • Use fresh garlic for a brighter, more intense flavor than pre-minced.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
  • Wilt spinach quickly to keep its color vibrant and texture tender without sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic butter pasta, rotini recipe, Italian sausage pasta, ground beef pasta, spinach pasta, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/garlic-butter-rotini-with-beef-italian-sausage-and-spinach/