Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

American · Dinner · Easy

Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

Total
25 min
Prep
10 min
Serves
4
Calories
480
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Blended cottage cheese turns warm penne silky, with garlic, black pepper and a little Parmesan. Gentle heat keeps the sauce smooth.

A blender does the heavy lifting for Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce, breaking the curds into a glossy coating without heavy cream. Tossing it with hot pasta off the burner warms the sauce while keeping its texture soft.

Use full-fat cottage cheese for the smoothest result and save pasta water before draining. Add that water a little at a time; the sauce should cling to the noodles rather than pool underneath them.

Method

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the salt. Cook penne for , or the package time, until tender with a slight bite. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

  2. Meanwhile, warm olive oil and garlic in a small skillet over medium-low heat for until fragrant but pale. Blend the garlic oil, cottage cheese, parmesan and black pepper until completely smooth.

  3. Return the penne to the warm pot off the heat. Fold in the blended sauce and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, adding more water by the tablespoon until glossy. Finish with parsley and serve immediately.

Forkue tips

  • Blend until no curds remain before adding the sauce to pasta; boiling it afterward will not smooth it out.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a spoonful of water, stirring frequently; stop heating as soon as the pasta is hot so the sauce stays creamy.

Kitchen gear

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Nutrition per serving, estimated

480Calories
29gProtein
68gCarbs
13gFat

Image: AI-generated picture of the finished dish, made by Forkue. Yours will look like home cooking.

Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce: FAQ

Why did my cottage cheese sauce turn grainy?

Too much heat can make the proteins tighten into small grains. Blend thoroughly, then toss with hot pasta off the burner instead of boiling the sauce.

Can I make just the sauce ahead?

Yes. Blend the cheese and garlic oil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Loosen it with hot pasta water when tossing with freshly cooked noodles.

How do I store and reheat Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce?

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a spoonful of water, stirring frequently; stop heating as soon as the pasta is hot so the sauce stays creamy.

How long does Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce take?

About 25 min in total: 10 min prep and 15 min cooking.

What do I need to make Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce?

The key ingredients are penne, cottage cheese, parmesan, garlic and parsley, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce?

Blend until no curds remain before adding the sauce to pasta; boiling it afterward will not smooth it out.