Description
Cottage Cheese Pasta is a creamy, satisfying dish made with fresh plant-based cottage cheese and simple ingredients. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or relaxed weekend meals, it offers a luscious texture and wholesome flavors with versatile options to customize and delight the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Base
- 200g pasta of choice (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 150g plant-based cottage cheese
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
- 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100g spinach or baby kale
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (natural)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnishes and Variations
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Optional: roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms
- Optional: red pepper flakes or hot paprika
- Optional: toasted pine nuts or walnuts
- Optional: grilled chicken strips or grilled shrimp
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve a small cup of pasta water.
- Sauté Aromatics and Veggies: Heat olive oil (natural) in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant. Toss in cherry tomatoes and spinach or baby kale, stirring until the greens wilt and the tomatoes soften.
- Combine Pasta and Cottage Cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir in plant-based cottage cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Add Flavor Enhancers: Mix in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), lemon juice (natural), salt, and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Cook pasta just right: Al dente pasta holds up better when mixed with creamy ingredients.
- Reserve pasta water: It helps adjust the sauce consistency naturally without added cream.
- Use fresh herbs: Adding herbs at the end preserves their fragrance and flavor.
- Avoid overcooking veggies: Keeping them slightly crisp adds texture to the dish.
- Mix gently: This prevents the pasta from breaking and keeps the cheese creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cottage cheese pasta, plant-based pasta recipe, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, healthy pasta