Cream Parmesan Basil Cottage Cheese Pasta
A vibrant, high-protein pasta dish featuring a velvety cream sauce made from blended cottage cheese, fresh summer basil, tangy Parmesan cheese, and savory garlic.
Equipment
- Blender
- Stove Top
- Pasta Pot
Ingredients
Sauce
- 2 tsp olive oil or 1 tbsp butter
- 2/3 small onion diced about ½ cup
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1½ cups cottage cheese 2% or full fat
- ¼ cup milk
- 2/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 1 packed cup basil leaves
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1.5 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp honey
Pasta
- 8 cups cooked protein pasta
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to prepare for your pasta.
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the diced onion along with a small pinch of salt, cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 to 60 seconds until it is highly fragrant, taking care not to let it burn.
- Transfer the cooked onion and garlic mixture directly from the skillet into a high-speed blender. Add the cottage cheese, milk, grated Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, lemon zest, black pepper, cornstarch, and honey into the blender with the onions.
- Blend the mixture on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the herbs are completely broken down and the sauce is perfectly smooth and velvety.
- Drop your protein pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente, then carefully scoop out and reserve at least a half cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the noodles.
- Return the drained pasta directly to the pot over low heat, then pour the blended cottage cheese basil sauce over the warm noodles and toss well to combine. Add your reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes beautifully glossy and clings smoothly to the pasta.
- Taste the finished dish and adjust with an extra pinch of salt, a sprinkle of Parmesan for rich depth, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 616mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 109IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 128mgIron: 1mg
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