Ingredients
12–16 ounces dried pasta
16 ounces (2 cups) cottage cheese (full-fat, low-fat, or non-fat)
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
½ – 1 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.
- 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
