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Are you looking for an easy, wholesome, creamy pasta recipe that doesn’t rely on heavy cream? This delicious cottage cheese pasta is going to be your next comfort food, with 40 grams of protein per serving.
I wanted to create a pasta recipe that naturally had a lot of protein and I knew that cottage cheese is the answer.
This dish is not only packed with flavor, but it also offers a healthier spin on comfort food. With its creamy, protein-rich sauce and simple ingredients, It’s a perfect option for someone who needs a quick high protein dinner.
Image a pasta dish that combines rigatoni, savory chicken mince, and a creamy marinara-cottage cheese blend. I can assure you that each bite makes you want more. At least it did it for me.
Unlike traditional heavy-cream-based sauces, which often make you feel heavy, this creamy sauce uses cottage cheese. So, it creates the ultimate creamy sauce but with a silky texture.
While I love this recipe as it is, one of the things I love about it is its versatility.
For example, if you want to make a vegetarian option, you can skip the chicken mince and swap it for mushrooms (like portobello or cremini). If you want to add some protein to the meal, you can add crumbled tofu or consider using chickpea or lentil pasta.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItKeep in mind that you can also use chickpea or lentil pasta even if you are not following a plant-based diet. This adds more protein to the meal, and it makes an excellent gluten-free option.
For those who cannot handle dairy, you can swap cottage cheese for a plant-based ricotta or silken tofu blended with nutritional yeast for a creamy texture without the unwanted dairy effects.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Uncooked rigatoni pasta (3 cups) – This pasta is perfect for holding the sauce. But you can also use penne, fusilli, or farfalle.
Olive oil (1 tbsp) – You can also use avocado oil or flaxseed oil.
1 medium yellow onion, chopped – If you don’t have fresh onion, you can use onion powder or onion flakes.
4 garlic cloves, minced – Just like with onion, you can use garlic powder or flakes if you don’t have fresh garlic.
Chicken mince (1 lb) – You can also use turkey mince or ground beef (for a richer taste). For a plant-based option, you can use crumbled tofu.
Italian seasoning (2 tsp) – Make sure you don’t skip this ingredient since it adds a lot of flavor.
A pinch of red pepper flakes, optional – If you don’t like spicy food, you can avoid this ingredient, or if you love spicy food, you can add more.
Marinara sauce (1 24oz jar) – You can use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce. If you don’t have any, you can use tomato-basil sauce.
Cottage cheese (½ cup) – If you don’t have cottage cheese, you can use ricotta or cream cheese. However, keep in mind that cream cheese doesn’t add as much protein and adds more fat to the meal.
Salt and black pepper, to taste
GARNISH
Parmesan cheese, grated – You can use nutritional yeast as a plant-based option or Pecorino Romano.
Fresh basil
How to Make Cottage Cheese Pasta
Step 1. Place the rigatoni pasta in a pot with boiling water and cook according to the instructions.
Step 2. Once the pasta is al dente (a little bit hard in the middle), drain and set it aside.
Step 3. While you are cooking the pasta, grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and chopped onions. Cook them for 4-5 minutes or until they become translucent. Then, add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Step 4. Add the chicken mince, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Break the mince using a spatula and mix everything well. Cook the meat for 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 5. While you are cooking the chicken, place the marinara sauce in the blender, along with the cottage cheese.
Step 6. Blend until it comes out smooth and creamy.
Step 7. Once the chicken has fully cooked, pour the marinara blend into the skillet. Add the cooked rigatoni.
Step 8. Mix everything thoroughly and cook for 2-3 minutes until all the ingredients warm up.
Step 9. When you are ready to serve, garnish with parmesan cheese and some basil.
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Pin ItOther Ingredients You Can Use
You can also consider adding other ingredients to boost the flavor. Here are some of my favorite options:
- Mushrooms
- Sun-dried tomatoes.
- Spinach or kale
- Fresh mozzarella
What to Serve with This Cottage Cheese Pasta
I’ve got to be honest. This pasta is awesome on its own. But you can make this meal more satisfying with the right side dishes.
- Side Salad: You can have a salad with mixed greens and a light vinaigrette or a Caesar salad.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try having this pasta dish with oven-roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or Brussels sprouts.
- Soup: You can have a light minestrone or tomato feta soup before having the pasta meal.
- Air fryer green beans
- Air fryer broccoli
- Air fryer asparagus
Storage Tips
Place the pasta in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, place it in a freezer-safe container. You can keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Once you are craving this pasta dish again, place it on the stove on low heat. Make sure you occasionally stir to prevent it from sticking. Add some water or stock if you feel the sauce is too thick.
If you feel that the pasta has lost some of its creamy texture, you can add a bit of cream cheese to restore its texture.
Similar Recipes
- Creamy Chicken in Parmesan Sauce
- Pizza Pasta Casserole
- Lazy Lasagna Casserole
- Cheesy Baked Italian Sausage
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Orzo
Cottage Cheese Pasta
6 Cals: 368 Protein: 23 Carbs: 42 Fat: 12
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb chicken mince
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- A pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Parmesan cheese grated
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook your rigatoni pasta according to instructions. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is being cooked, heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, and chopped onion and saute for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Add in the chicken mince, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, some salt, and black pepper. Gently break the mince apart with a spatula, coat with the seasonings, and cook until the chicken is fully cooked. It will take about 6-8 minutes.
- While you’re cooking the chicken, blend marinara sauce and cottage cheese together. It should come out smooth and creamy.
- Once the chicken has fully cooked, pour the blend into the skillet, add in cooked rigatoni, and stir all the ingredients to combine well. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until all the ingredients warm up.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and basil before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
