Description
Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a high-protein, deliciously creamy pasta sauce made with cottage cheese, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. This quick and easy recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to create a flavorful and nutritious sauce perfect for any pasta variety. Ready in under 20 minutes, it offers a healthier alternative to traditional cream-based sauces without sacrificing richness or taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne, fusilli, spaghetti, etc.)
Fresh Herbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Sauté the Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until fragrant but not browned.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice (if using), salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Combine and Heat Through: Pour the blended sauce over the sautéed garlic in the skillet and warm gently on low heat. Add the drained pasta and toss thoroughly to coat each piece with the creamy sauce.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, olive oil drizzle, and herbs as desired.
Notes
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
- Blend the sauce thoroughly until smooth for better coating on pasta.
- Keep heat low when warming sauce to prevent curdling or separation.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help bind ingredients.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their bright flavor and freshness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup sauce with pasta
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: creamy cottage cheese pasta sauce, high protein pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, healthy pasta sauce, gluten-free pasta sauce