Description
Silky cottage cheese pasta delivers creamy comfort with Italian-inspired elegance. Simple ingredients combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne, fusilli, or preferred shape)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water at 212°F until tender yet firm, approximately 8-10 minutes. Keep 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid aside.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic for 60 seconds until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Transform cottage cheese, Parmesan, seasoning, and lemon juice into a silky, uniform sauce using a blender or food processor.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet, introducing the creamy cottage cheese mixture and reserved pasta water.
- Gently swirl and fold pasta until every strand is luxuriously coated with the velvety sauce, heating thoroughly for 2-3 minutes.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with vibrant red chili flakes, freshly chopped herbs, and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for enhanced flavor complexity.
Notes
- Choose cottage cheese with higher fat content for a creamier, richer sauce that clings better to pasta.
- Blend the cottage cheese mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a silky, restaurant-quality texture.
- Reserve more pasta water than recommended in case the sauce needs extra loosening or moisture during mixing.
- For a protein-packed vegetarian meal, use whole wheat or high-protein pasta to enhance nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 319 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 225 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg