When the day’s been long and your dinner motivation is low, nothing brings comfort and ease quite like a skillet of tender rotini tossed in savory garlic butter with hearty beef, spicy Italian sausage, and a pop of fresh spinach. This dish brings bold flavors to the table without requiring hours in the kitchen, making it a go-to for busy weeknights.

Each forkful delivers the perfect balance of richness and freshness. The garlic butter wraps every curl of rotini in flavor, while the combination of beef and sausage adds depth and a little kick. A handful of spinach wilts just enough to mellow into the sauce, offering vibrant color and subtle earthiness that complements the meat beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

This pasta dinner comes together fast and is packed with flavor, making it ideal for families, meal preppers, or anyone craving a cozy bowl of pasta without the fuss. It’s rich but not heavy, satisfying but still packed with greens, and budget-friendly thanks to simple pantry ingredients.

Plus, it’s customizable. You can dial the spice up or down, swap in ground turkey or chicken, and use gluten-free pasta if needed. It’s truly a flexible meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use for Garlic Butter Rotini with Meat and Spinach?

Rotini is ideal for this recipe because its spiral shape traps all that luscious garlic butter sauce and clings to the bits of meat and spinach. However, if rotini isn’t available, penne, fusilli, or even bowties will do a great job holding onto flavor. Whole wheat or chickpea-based pasta also works if you’re after a more nutritious twist.

Avoid spaghetti or linguine here—the thin strands won’t carry the chunky, buttery meat sauce nearly as well.

Ingredients for the Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

To make this savory pasta dish shine, the ingredients need to bring both comfort and flavor. Each component serves a purpose—from the richness of the meat to the brightness of fresh greens. Here’s what you’ll need:

Rotini pasta
Ground beef

Italian sausage
Fresh spinach
Garlic

Butter
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese

Salt and black pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach 2

How To Make the Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Sauté the Meats

In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them up as they brown. Cook until fully done and slightly crispy. Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Butter

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add butter and freshly minced garlic to the skillet, stirring until fragrant. This is where the flavor builds.

Step 4: Wilt the Spinach

Toss in the fresh spinach and stir until wilted. You can add a splash of reserved pasta water to help it cook down and meld into the sauce.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Cheese

Add the drained rotini to the skillet along with some Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir everything together, letting the cheese melt and the sauce cling to each pasta spiral.

Step 6: Add Heat (Optional)

For a little kick, sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes and give it one final stir before serving.

How to Serve and Store Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

This meal is a complete dinner in itself, making it ideal for quick plating and even better as leftovers. The recipe generously feeds 4 to 6 people, depending on portion size, and is great for next-day lunches or reheating throughout the week.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen up the sauce and bring back its buttery texture. It also freezes surprisingly well for a butter-based dish—just let it cool completely before sealing in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

What to Serve With Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini?

Garlic Bread

A crusty piece of garlic bread is the ultimate sidekick, perfect for soaking up the buttery sauce.

Caesar Salad

The crisp romaine and creamy dressing add a cool contrast to the warm, savory pasta.

Roasted Broccoli

Roasting brings out sweetness in the broccoli that complements the garlic in the dish.

Caprese Salad

Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil lighten up the meal with bright, fresh flavors.

Sauteed Zucchini

Quick and easy, zucchini adds extra green to your plate without overpowering the dish.

Antipasto Skewers

These little bites of cured meats, olives, and cheese are great for rounding out an Italian-inspired meal.

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Tangy and slightly sweet, these sprouts add a flavorful twist to your side spread.

Simple Red Wine

A glass of Chianti or Pinot Noir makes a cozy dinner feel like a special occasion.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you love this Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini, you’ll probably enjoy these other easy pasta creations from Luna Meals:

Try the Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni for a creamy, bold alternative.
The Creamy Mushroom Ravioli delivers earthy comfort in every bite.

For something heartier, the Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet is loaded with flavor and balanced with veggies.
Or go nostalgic with Copycat Starbucks Spinach Egg White Feta Wraps for a meal prep-friendly option.
Looking for something spicy? The Quick Creamy Cajun Pasta brings heat and richness in under 30 minutes.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use all beef? Add mushrooms or swap in kale? I love hearing about how others make it their own.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dinners and flavor-forward comfort food ideas on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your new weeknight favorites: Luna Meals on Pinterest

Conclusion

Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach is more than just a meal—it’s the comfort of pasta, the joy of buttery garlic, and the heartiness of a well-balanced bowl. It’s the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table with little effort and lots of reward.

Try it once, and it might just earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.

Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

Why You’ll Love This Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use for Garlic Butter Rotini with Meat and Spinach?

Ingredients for the Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach