Description
This creamy, high-protein pasta sauce blends cottage cheese with tomato or white sauce for a healthy, satisfying twist on classic comfort food. Perfect for quick weeknight meals or protein-packed meal prep.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cottage cheese (full-fat recommended)
1 cup marinara sauce (or homemade)
1/2 cup reserved hot pasta water
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
2 tbsp grated parmesan (optional)
Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
1. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onion until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
2. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until warm.
3. Reserve 1/2 cup hot pasta water before draining the pasta.
4. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, 1/3 cup sauce, and pasta water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
5. Return blended mixture to skillet with remaining sauce. Stir to combine and gently heat on low (do not boil).
6. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes to taste.
7. Serve over hot pasta and garnish with basil and parmesan.
Notes
Use full-fat cottage cheese for best flavor and texture.
To make a white sauce version, swap marinara for broth or unsweetened milk and add extra garlic.
Avoid boiling the sauce after blending to prevent curdling.
Great for meal prep — store in fridge up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
Keywords: how to add cottage cheese to pasta sauce, high-protein pasta, healthy pasta sauce