Are you craving a hearty yet budget-friendly meal? Look no further than this Creamy Blended Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce recipe! With just three simple ingredients, this vegetarian dish is not only easy on the wallet but also packs a powerful punch of protein.
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Forget complicated recipes and expensive ingredients. All you need is cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and your favorite pasta to whip up this satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
Plus, the blended cottage cheese adds creamy richness without the calories or cost of heavy cream. As written, you have a balanced meal or feel free to top with grilled chicken or stir in ground sausage for even more protein.
Ingredients
Cottage Cheese: Creamy and versatile, cottage cheese forms the base of our sauce. I recommend using small-curd cottage cheese to ensure that it blends smoothly, and 4% milk fat provides the best flavor.
Using cottage cheese is a budget-friendly way to add protein to your pasta dish.
Marinara Sauce: A jar of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce is such an affordable convenience item. You can absolutely use homemade spaghetti sauce if you like.
Box of your Favorite Pasta: Choose any pasta variety you love, from penne to spaghetti.
Optional Spices: Additionally, we can add garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the pasta sauce and parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Food processor or blender
- Measuring Cup and Spoons
- Mixing spoon
How to Make Blended Cottage Cheese Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the cottage cheese and optional garlic powder and Italian seasoning to a food processor or blender. Blend for 30-60 seconds or until the cottage cheese is a smooth texture.
- When the pasta is cooked, drain the water making sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Return the pasta to the pot and add the marinara sauce and cottage cheese. Stir to combine. The residual heat from the burner and the pasta will heat the marinara sauce. Alternatively, heat the pasta and sauce over low heat until heated through.
Note: If you prefer a more saucy pasta, add the reserved pasta water in small pours until it gets to your desired consistency.
Variations
- Add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrients.
- Add grilled chicken or Italian sausage for a meaty twist.
- Stir in a couple tablespoon of pesto for a burst of herby goodness.
- You can even make this recipe with jarred Alfredo sauce. The cottage cheese blends perfectly and gives you some added protein.
What to Serve with Cottage Cheese Pasta
- A side salad with balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
- Garlic bread for dipping into the creamy sauce.
- Steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables for a nutritious boost.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Pesto Pasta with Tuna
- Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
Blended Cottage Cheese Pasta
With just three ingredients and ready in 20 minutes, this creamy and satisfying Blended Cottage Cheese Pasta is perfect for busy weeknights and it's easy on the wallet!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dried pasta
- 24 ounces marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to keep 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the cottage cheese and optional garlic powder and Italian seasoning to a food processor or blender. Blend for 30-60 seconds or until the cottage cheese is a smooth texture.
- When the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain the water making sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Return the pasta to the pot and add the marinara sauce and cottage cheese. Stir to combine. The residual heat from the burner and the pasta will heat the marinara sauce. Alternatively, heat the pasta and sauce over low heat until heated through.
- If you prefer a more saucy pasta, add the reserved pasta water in small pours until it gets to your desired consistency.
- Serve with parmesan cheese if desire.
Notes
This recipe can be made with any shape of pasta, but I do like the shorter cuts like ziti or rotini. And use your favorite jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce or homemade if you prefer.
The cottage cheese provides a boost of protein. Feel free to add grilled chicken or Italian sausage for even more protein. For a spicy kick, add crushed red peppers when combining the pasta and sauce.
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You may need to add a couple Tablespoons of water when reheating to loosen up the sauce.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 251Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 881mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 4gSugar: 9gProtein: 12g
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