Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta
Anna
09/04/2023
This high-protein Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta requires only few of your pantry staples and is ready in less than 20 minutes! I love using classic penne for this recipe, but any pasta shape works great. And the sauce? This is absolutely perfect if you’re craving some comfort food but want something lighter and healthier. Thanks to the cottage cheese, the sauce is rich, creamy, yet healthy and full of protein.
If you love this recipe, you might also like my Easy Boursin Cheese Baked Pasta or my One Pot Mac & Cheese Recipe.
Reviews
Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
| 2 tablespoons olive oil | |
| 1 tablespoon butter | |
| 1 white onion *large | |
| 4 garlic cloves | |
| 400 ml marinara sauce | |
| 200 grams cottage cheese | |
| handful of chopped fresh basil | |
| 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes | |
| 100 grams shredded cheese | |
| 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese | |
| 250 grams uncooked pasta | |
| salt and pepper to taste |
Nutritional Information
523
Calories
21 g
Fat
23 g
Protein
60 g
Carbs
10 g
Sugars
Directions
1.
Cook the Pasta
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
In a large pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and frothy, add the chopped onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring it doesn't brown or burn.
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2.
Blend to Perfection
Pour in the marinara sauce, followed by the cottage cheese, chopped basil, shredded cheese, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well, ensuring the cheeses begin to melt and flavors meld together. Carefully transfer the sauce mixture to a blender. Blend until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. (If you have an immersion blender, you can blend directly in the pan for less mess!)
Return the creamy sauce to the pan over low heat. Add the cooked pasta, tossing it gently to ensure every piece is lovingly coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Sprinkle over the grated Parmesan cheese, garnish with additional fresh basil, and maybe an extra sprinkle of chilli flakes for those who desire a kick!
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Notes
Always cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water with a good pinch of salt. For the perfect al dente texture, check the pasta a minute or two before the package's suggested cook time.
Adjust the chili flakes based on your heat tolerance. Start with a bit and add more if you desire more spice.
Instead of cottage cheese, try using ricotta for a different creamy texture. You can also experiment with other cheeses like gouda or fontina for the shredded cheese.
Fresh basil is wonderful in this recipe, but feel free to mix it up! Try adding a bit of fresh oregano or even some chopped parsley for a different herby touch.
Leftover creamy pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you might notice the sauce has thickened. Add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water while reheating on the stovetop to revive the creamy consistency. Microwave reheating is also possible but do it in intervals, stirring in between.
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