Description
A comforting and easy weeknight dish featuring rotini pasta in a creamy garlic butter sauce with beef and sausage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or shredded mozzarella (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Start your culinary journey by bringing a large pot of salted water to a roaring boil. Add the rotini pasta, allowing it to cook until it reaches the al dente stage, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. This perfect texture ensures that the pasta will hold up well against the creamy sauce. Once done, drain the pasta in a colander, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Next, heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook the meats until they are nicely browned and fully cooked, which should take around 8 minutes. Don’t forget to drain any excess fat to keep your dish rich without being greasy.
- After the meats are cooked, push them to one side of the skillet. Add the butter and the minced garlic to the empty space. Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts turning golden; this releases its wonderful flavor into the dish. Then, stir in the fresh spinach, cooking it for 1 to 2 minutes until it is wilted and vibrant in color.
- Now it’s time to pour in the heavy cream, giving it a creamy richness that ties the dish together. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, if desired. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes. This simmering stage will help the sauce thicken slightly, enhancing its velvety texture.
- It’s finally time to bring it all together! Add the cooked rotini to the skillet, tossing everything to ensure that the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. If you’ve opted for cheese, stir in the Parmesan or mozzarella until melted and gooey. If the sauce seems too thick, incorporate some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve your delicious Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini hot from the pan! Top with additional cheese or fresh parsley for extra flavor and visual appeal. Your family and friends will be begging for seconds!
Notes
This dish reheats well, making it a great leftover option for the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Protein: 24 g