Description
A refined weeknight meal featuring aromatic garlic, glossy butter, and melting cheese with hearty Italian sausage and bright spinach.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
- Salt for the pasta water (about 1 tbsp per 4–6 liters)
- 12 oz (340 g) Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or finely minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken stock (optional)
- Zest and 1 tbsp juice of 1 lemon
- 5–6 oz (150–170 g) baby spinach, washed and dried
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the spaghetti until just shy of al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add 1 tbsp butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it foams, add the crumbled sausage.
- Brown the sausage, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp.
- Reduce heat to medium, push sausage to one side, add another 1 tbsp butter, then the garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine or stock, scraping up browned bits.
- Add spinach in batches, tossing until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Lower heat to low, add remaining butter and lemon zest until melted.
- Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss vigorously, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in grated Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and creamy.
- Plate immediately, finishing with fresh parsley and extra cheese.
Notes
Serve in shallow bowls for presentation; offer additional cheese and lemon wedges at the table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg