Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta
Creamy, satisfying, and packed with protein, this Healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta is the perfect balance between comfort food and nutritious eating. It’s an easy dinner idea that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or healthy food ideas when you want something filling yet light. With a smooth, cheesy sauce made from blended cottage cheese, this dish delivers all the richness of a classic pasta without the heaviness.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Zest of ½ lemon optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil chopped
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- 2. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth.
- 3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- 4. Reduce heat and add the blended sauce to the pan. Stir gently.
- 5. Add cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated.
- 6. Gradually add reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- 7. Mix in fresh herbs and adjust seasoning if needed.
- 8. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
Blend the cottage cheese thoroughly for a smooth and creamy sauce.
Always reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 22gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g
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