Description
This Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a high-protein, delicious, and healthy alternative to traditional cream-based sauces. Made with low-fat cottage cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, and a splash of lemon juice, it delivers a smooth, tangy, and versatile flavor perfect for quick weeknight dinners or nutritious lunches. It’s kid-friendly, low in fat and calories, and can be easily customized to suit various dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh low-fat cottage cheese, drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients. Drain excess liquid from the cottage cheese for a thicker sauce. Finely chop fresh herbs and mince garlic.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Blend Cottage Cheese Mixture: In a blender or food processor, combine the drained cottage cheese, sautéed garlic, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Blitz until smooth and creamy.
- Heat the Sauce: Pour the blended sauce back into the pan. Warm over low heat, stirring gently to prevent curdling and to meld flavors.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Season: Stir in the chopped fresh herbs. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste. Optionally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and allow it to melt slightly.
- Toss with Pasta: Combine the creamy sauce with freshly cooked pasta. Toss thoroughly to coat all pasta evenly. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use low-moisture cottage cheese or drain thoroughly to prevent a watery sauce.
- Pulse the mixture in the blender for a chunkier texture instead of fully blending.
- Keep heat low when warming the sauce to avoid separation or curdling.
- Fresh herbs provide the best vibrant flavor and aroma.
- Reserve a splash of pasta cooking water to thin sauce if needed and help it cling to pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: cottage cheese pasta sauce, high protein pasta sauce, healthy pasta sauce, creamy pasta sauce, gluten free pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce, low fat pasta sauce