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
Thank you for sharing this innovative recipe that has breathed new life into my pasta nights. The Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a true testament to the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create culinary brilliance.
Can you make the sauce using 1% milk fat or lowfat cottage cheese instead? Not sure if it would affect the creaminess of the sauce. On a heart healthy diet and don’t know if full fat 4% cottage cheese is acceptable.
Thanks
Your pasta dish looks fabulous. We gave a similar pasta dish in Rome. Your sauce is so rich and what a healthy choice to use the cottage cheese. Well done!lovely ❤️
What a great way to add flavor and protein by using cottage cheese. I can’t wait to make this hearty and delicious pasta.
Thank you for sharing this innovative recipe that has breathed new life into my pasta nights. The Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a true testament to the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create culinary brilliance.
For sure use fire roasted tomatoes, they taste delicious here! Great easy recipe that we’ll make again!
Wow! That was so good! My wife doesn’t like cottage cheese and she couldn’t tell I used it. Thank you for the culinary win here! 🙂
Can you make the sauce using 1% milk fat or lowfat cottage cheese instead? Not sure if it would affect the creaminess of the sauce. On a heart healthy diet and don’t know if full fat 4% cottage cheese is acceptable.
Thanks
I think that would be fine! It’ll be a little less creamy but I don’t think it would make a big difference.
So delicious and a great way to add more protein to a pasta dish!
Your pasta dish looks fabulous. We gave a similar pasta dish in Rome. Your sauce is so rich and what a healthy choice to use the cottage cheese. Well done!lovely ❤️
I love this sauce. It’s creamy and fluffy at the same time. So, I think I’ll be making this often during this summer season. Thanks for the recipe.
This is the ultimate pasta sauce, I can’t stop making it! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe 🙂
Wow, who knew cottage cheese would make such a delicious pasta dish? I didn’t tell my family and they all thought it was ricotta.