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Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta served in a blue bowl with parmesan and fresh herbs, a high-protein healthy pasta dish.

Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta

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A creamy, protein-packed pasta dish made with blended cottage cheese sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s kid-approved and can be customized with vegetables or extra protein.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1216 ounces dried pasta

16 ounces (2 cups) cottage cheese (full-fat, low-fat, or non-fat)

34 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

½1 cup reserved pasta water

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

¼ cup fresh parsley or basil (optional), chopped

Instructions

1. 1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta.

2. 2. Prepare the Creamy Sauce: While pasta cooks, place cottage cheese in a blender or food processor. Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Blend on high until completely smooth.

3. 3. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Do not burn.

4. 4. Combine & Toss: Add drained pasta to the skillet. Pour the cottage cheese sauce over the pasta. Add grated Parmesan and another ¼ cup pasta water. Toss vigorously until sauce coats the pasta. If too thick, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time.

5. 5. Stir and Serve: Heat through for 1-2 minutes, stirring. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps the sauce cling to the pasta. Blend cottage cheese until ultra-smooth to avoid a grainy texture. Gently heat the sauce to prevent separation. Freshly grated Parmesan melts best. Add a squeeze of lemon or fresh herbs at the end for brightness. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3-4 days; reheat with a splash of water or milk. Freezing is not recommended.

  • Author: Charlotte Johnson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 430
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 18 mg