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Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 1 review

This Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce recipe offers a creamy, protein-rich alternative to traditional cream-based sauces. Using cottage cheese blended with fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, and a hint of lemon juice, it delivers a tangy and smooth sauce perfect for whole wheat pasta. Quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, this healthy and flavorful sauce adds a delightful twist to your pasta dinner.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 oz whole wheat penne pasta

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup 4% milkfat cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (plus extra as needed)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to the package directions. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining, as you will use some to thin the sauce later.
  2. Sauté Garlic: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for about 3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Simmer Tomatoes: Add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes and lemon juice to the saucepan with the garlic. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer the mixture for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the tomato juices have evaporated and the mixture thickens slightly.
  4. Blend Sauce: Carefully transfer the cooked tomato mixture to a blender. Add the cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of the reserved warm pasta water. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy. To avoid steam buildup from the hot liquids, allow steam to escape by removing the blender lid insert or using a towel. Add additional pasta water if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
  5. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked pasta to the saucepan or a large bowl and toss with the blended cottage cheese tomato sauce. Taste and season with salt if necessary. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • Reserve extra pasta water when cooking the pasta to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
  • Be careful when blending hot liquids to prevent steam buildup and possible splattering.
  • This sauce pairs well with whole wheat or any short-cut pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • For a vegan version, substitute cottage cheese with a plant-based alternative like blended silken tofu or vegan ricotta.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/cottage-cheese-pasta-sauce-recipe/