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Quick Creamy Cottage Cheese Protein Pasta Sauce

Close-up of creamy, cheesy protein pasta (fusilli shape) served in a white bowl.
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Welcome to My Kitchen! This recipe delivers a high-protein pasta dish with a satisfyingly creamy texture, ready in under 30 minutes. It is perfect for busy weeknights and great for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces pasta (lentil, chickpea, or traditional)
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded, or 1 cup cooked lean ground beef

Instructions

  1. Cook your chosen pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, milk, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This creates your high protein pasta sauce base.
  3. Pour the creamy sauce into the empty pasta pot over low heat. Stir constantly until the sauce is warmed through, about 2 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  4. Add the drained pasta to the pot with the sauce. Toss well to coat every piece.
  5. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. If using, stir in the cooked chicken or ground beef now to heat through.
  7. Serve immediately. This is an easy high protein dinner that tastes indulgent.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute the milk with 1/4 cup of reserved pasta cooking water mixed with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese.
  • This recipe is excellent for meal prep; store the sauce and pasta separately if you plan to reheat later to maintain the best texture.
  • If you want a garlic parmesan pasta bowl experience, top your serving with fresh parsley and extra black pepper.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/protein-pasta-quick-creamy-cottage-cheese-sauce/