Jump To Recipeby Liz Thomson
April 13, 2023This post may contain affiliate links.
This rich and creamy sauce is secretly healthy, thanks to the addition of cottage cheese! This high-protein sauce is perfect when you’re craving comfort food, but you want to enjoy something lighter!
Looking for a delicious and creamy pasta sauce that’s low in calories but high in protein? Look no further than this recipe for cottage cheese pasta sauce! Made with tangy cottage cheese and lots of garlic, this sauce is the perfect way to elevate your favorite pasta dish. Whether you’re a vegetarian or just looking for a healthier alternative to traditional pasta sauces, this recipe will become a new favorite!
What is Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce?
This sauce is similar to a vodka sauce, but we use cottage cheese instead of heavy cream! This makes it rich and creamy but lower in fat and higher in protein. You can use vodka or lemon juice to add the tangy, zippy flavor of typical vodka sauce. It’s a simple recipe that only requires a few ingredients but it makes a delicious, homemade sauce!
Benefits of Using Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and vitamin B12. Plus, it’s much lower in fat and calories than heavy cream. It’s a great way to create a creamy pasta dish without any actual cream. Overall, cottage cheese is a nutritious and delicious addition to this sauce!
My Favorite Brands of Cottage Cheese
I love the Good Culture brand but I’ve also tested this recipe with Breakstone, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger’s store brand cottage cheese. I do recommend using a 4% milkfat version, which will give you super creamy results. But you can use a low fat kind, if you prefer. Look for a low sodium option if you need to watch your sodium intake.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Pasta: Any pasta can be used, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine. I like Barilla’s Protein Plus pasta which has extra protein and fiber.
Cottage cheese: I prefer 4% milkfat cottage cheese for this recipe because it has the creamiest texture. If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you could use ricotta cheese or cream cheese as a substitute.
Olive oil: This healthy fat adds flavor and helps to cook the garlic. Any other cooking oil can be used as a substitute.
Garlic: Adds flavor and depth to the sauce. You could use garlic powder as a substitute.
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: You could use canned whole tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes as a substitute.
Vodka or lemon juice: This adds acidity to the sauce. This could be replaced with red or white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
Pasta water: The starchy water is used to thin the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
originally posted April 13, 2023 (updated April 10, 2024)by Liz Thomson categories:Dinner49 comments
I am shocked that you can make pasta sauce this rich and creamy and delicious with cottage cheese! This recipe is seriously so good and something I am going to make on the regular!
woah! This recipe blew my mind. I made it and kept the cottage cheese a secret from the hubs until after he raved about it! He couldn’t believe it. So delicious.
Made it for my family and never mentioned cottage cheese to them. I was hesitant at first but once a took a bite of the pasta, it was just incredible.
My family loved it too that they asked for seconds.
Thank you.
WOW!!
My hubby didn’t notice that I used cottage cheese, he thought it was the normal vodka sauce with heavy cream.
So happy that I can make his favorite with a lower fat option 🙂
Thank you
What a fun and delicious recipe! I had some extra cottage cheese and was so happy to find this for a way to use it – it turned out great and my whole family loved it!
Love this recipe of cottage cheese pasta sauce, easy to make and looks delicious. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Light , healthy and delicious! It was a hit with the family!
This pasta sauce looks so so good! I can’t wait to use up cottage cheese in my refrigerator and make this one.
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
I am shocked that you can make pasta sauce this rich and creamy and delicious with cottage cheese! This recipe is seriously so good and something I am going to make on the regular!
woah! This recipe blew my mind. I made it and kept the cottage cheese a secret from the hubs until after he raved about it! He couldn’t believe it. So delicious.
Made it for my family and never mentioned cottage cheese to them. I was hesitant at first but once a took a bite of the pasta, it was just incredible.
My family loved it too that they asked for seconds.
Thank you.
WOW!!
My hubby didn’t notice that I used cottage cheese, he thought it was the normal vodka sauce with heavy cream.
So happy that I can make his favorite with a lower fat option 🙂
Thank you
Craving satisfied with this cottage cheese pasta sauce! Used it on penne pasta and it turned out incredibly delicious and addicting! So comfy too!
What a fun and delicious recipe! I had some extra cottage cheese and was so happy to find this for a way to use it – it turned out great and my whole family loved it!