Description
This recipe transforms humble cottage cheese into a velvety, flavorful coating for your favorite pasta. It’s a remarkably quick and easy weeknight solution for a wholesome, high-protein dinner. Enjoy a rich, satisfying meal that tastes gourmet but comes together with minimal effort, perfect for a cozy evening.
Ingredients
- 16 oz (about 2 cups) cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
- 1 lb pasta of choice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 to 1 ½ cups pasta water, reserved
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spicy sauce)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve at least 1 to 1 ½ cups of the starchy pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce base. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn it.
- If using, stir in the tomato paste and red pepper flakes (if making spicy sauce). Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes aromatic. This deepens its flavor.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the cottage cheese to the skillet. Gradually add about ½ to ¾ cup of the reserved pasta water, stirring continuously. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the cottage cheese begins to melt into a creamy consistency.
- For an extra smooth sauce, carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pan. Blend until completely smooth and velvety. Return the blended sauce to the skillet if you used a standalone blender.
- Add the ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir well until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drain the al dente pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the cottage cheese sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat every strand of pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add more reserved pasta water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
Notes
- Full-fat cottage cheese will yield a richer, creamier sauce, though low-fat can be used for a lighter option.
- Don’t skip reserving the pasta water; it’s essential for achieving the perfect sauce consistency and helps the sauce emulsify.
- For an even more vibrant flavor, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end.
- If you enjoy other creamy pasta dishes, try our White Sauce Pasta.
Nutrition
- Array