Description
When your evening calls for something quick, satisfying, and packed with flavor, this garlic butter rotini hits all the marks. Juicy beef, zesty Italian sausage, and fresh spinach are swirled into a rich garlic butter sauce that clings to every spiral of pasta. It’s a one-pan wonder perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or feeding a hungry family. This easy recipe is a go-to for busy home cooks craving a comforting dish that’s big on taste and low on effort. Great for quick dinner ideas, hearty food options, and cozy comfort meals.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage
3 cups baby spinach
5 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until cooked through and slightly crisp. Drain any excess fat.
2. Move the meat to one side of the skillet. Add butter and garlic to the open space and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Meanwhile, cook the rotini in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. Add the cooked rotini to the skillet. Pour in the reserved pasta water and stir everything together.
5. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
6. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and toss until coated in a creamy garlic butter sauce.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps emulsify the butter and cheese into a smooth sauce.
For extra richness, stir in a splash of heavy cream with the Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg