Print

Cottage Cheese Pasta

Cottage Cheese Pasta
Print Recipe

Cottage Cheese Pasta is a quick, creamy, and nutritious meal combining the tangy smoothness of cottage cheese with your favorite pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this high-protein dish offers creamy comfort without heavy cream or butter. Versatile and light, it can be adapted with herbs, vegetables, or proteins to suit your taste and pantry, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual lunches.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • Dry pasta (such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti) – 8 oz (about 225 g)

Sauce

  • Cottage cheese – 1 cup (225 g), preferably whole-milk
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • Salt – to taste
  • Black pepper – to taste
  • Lemon zest or juice – 1 teaspoon zest or 1 tablespoon juice
  • Fresh herbs (basil, parsley, or chives) – 2 tablespoons chopped
  • Parmesan cheese (optional) – 1/4 cup grated

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then set aside.
  2. Prepare the Sauce Base: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and golden, taking care not to burn it.
  3. Mix in Cottage Cheese: Lower the heat and add the cottage cheese directly to the skillet. Stir gently to combine with the garlic-infused oil. Gradually add reserved pasta water a splash at a time to achieve a creamy but not runny sauce.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet, stirring well so every piece is evenly coated with the cottage cheese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water to loosen it.
  5. Season and Garnish: Season the pasta with salt, black pepper, and lemon zest or juice to brighten the flavors. Finish by sprinkling fresh herbs and, if desired, grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • Use whole-milk cottage cheese for a creamier sauce.
  • Don’t skip reserving pasta water; its starch helps thicken and bind the sauce.
  • Use fresh herbs and garlic for optimal aroma and taste.
  • Keep heat low when adding cottage cheese to avoid curdling or drying the sauce.
  • For a smoother sauce, blend the cottage cheese slightly before adding.
  • Variations: add sautéed vegetables, proteins like chicken or shrimp, red pepper flakes for spice, or substitute with vegan alternatives for a dairy-free option.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze pasta (without sauce) separately and add fresh cottage cheese after thawing to maintain quality.
  • Reheat gently with a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage cheese pasta, quick pasta recipe, creamy pasta, high protein pasta, healthy pasta recipe, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/cottage-cheese-pasta/