Description
This Irresistible Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage & Spinach is a hearty, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender rotini with savory ground beef and sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic butter tomato sauce. The recipe is easy to prepare in under an hour and perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Rotini Pasta (Consider whole wheat or gluten-free options.)
- ½ cup Reserved Pasta Water (Helps adjust sauce consistency.)
Meat
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Substitute with turkey or plant-based meat for a leaner alternative.)
- 8 oz Italian Sausage (Chicken sausage can be used for a lighter option.)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 4 cloves Garlic (Fresh is best, but garlic powder can be used.)
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes (Use canned or fresh based on availability.)
- 3 cups Fresh Spinach (Kale or Swiss chard can be used as alternatives.)
Dairy & Fats
- 3 tbsp Butter (Substitute with olive oil for a lighter finish.)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (Vegetable oil is a suitable substitute.)
- ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast can be used for dairy-free.)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- Red Pepper Flakes, to taste (Optional for heat.)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the rotini.
- Cook Meats: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease to reduce fat content.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add 3 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, allowing the butter to absorb the garlic aroma.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in the can of diced tomatoes along with the reserved pasta water. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the flavors to meld into a light sauce.
- Add Spinach and Combine: Add fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until it wilts down. Next, add the cooked rotini pasta and toss well to coat everything evenly in the delicious garlic butter tomato sauce.
- Finish and Season: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes according to your taste. Toss gently to combine all flavors before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter variation, substitute ground turkey and chicken sausage.
- Whole wheat or gluten-free rotini can be used to accommodate dietary needs.
- Fresh garlic enhances flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Reserved pasta water helps to create a silky sauce that clings to the rotini.
- Optional red pepper flakes add a nice spicy kick if desired.
- Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version.
