High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
Creamy high-protein cottage cheese pasta that turns simple ingredients into a balanced, satisfying meal—perfect for healthy dinner recipes, quick lunches, and easy high protein meals.
Ingredients
- 7 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- sea salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese , grated
- fresh parsley or basil , for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until just al dente—you want a slight bite, as it will finish in the sauce. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for about 30 seconds until fragrant, keeping the heat controlled so it doesn’t brown.
- Add the diced tomatoes with their juices and let them simmer for 5 minutes. This helps concentrate the flavor and slightly reduce the liquid.
- In a blender, combine the cottage cheese with a small splash of pasta water and blend until completely smooth. This step ensures a creamy, cohesive sauce.
- Lower the heat and pour the cottage cheese mixture into the pan. Add Italian seasoning, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir gently and keep the heat low—avoid boiling to maintain a smooth texture.
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss well so it’s evenly coated. Use additional reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
- Stir in grated parmesan until melted, then finish with fresh parsley or basil. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Blend the cottage cheese until smooth
This step is key. A fully blended base gives you a creamy sauce without any grainy texture. - Keep the heat low after adding the sauce
Cottage cheese can split if overheated. Warm it gently and avoid boiling to keep the sauce smooth. - Use pasta water to adjust the texture
Add it gradually until the sauce coats the pasta lightly. It helps create a silky, well-balanced finish.