Creamy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta

Written by Phantom Staff

Creamy, comforting, and packed with protein.

This Creamy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta turns simple ingredients into a rich, velvety pasta dinner. Cottage cheese is blended with tomatoes, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning to create a smooth, creamy sauce that comes together quickly for an easy weeknight meal.

Cottage cheese itself provides about 11 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it an easy way to add more protein to a creamy pasta sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 12 ounces rigatoni, penne, or your favorite pasta.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced.
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste.
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes.
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional.
• Salt, to taste.
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
• 1 cup cottage cheese.
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• ½ cup reserved pasta water, as needed.
• Fresh basil, for serving.
• Additional Parmesan, for serving.

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.

Before draining, reserve approximately ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Start the Tomato Sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large fry pan over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute.

3. Add the Tomatoes

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, if using.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Stir everything together and allow the sauce to gently simmer for approximately 5 minutes.

4. Blend the Cottage Cheese

Add the cottage cheese and Parmesan to a blender or food processor.

Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

For an even silkier consistency, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water while blending.

5. Make It Creamy

Reduce the heat under the tomato sauce to low.

Stir the blended cottage cheese mixture into the tomato sauce until smooth and evenly combined.

Avoid aggressively boiling the sauce once the cottage cheese has been added.

6. Add the Pasta

Add the cooked pasta directly to the fry pan and gently toss until every piece is coated in the creamy sauce.

Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

7. Finish & Serve

Divide among bowls and finish with fresh basil, freshly ground black pepper, and additional Parmesan.

Serve immediately and enjoy.

Make It Your OwnPh

Add baby spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens, or toss in sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, or zucchini.

For even more protein, you can also serve the pasta with grilled chicken or shrimp.

Cook It With Phantom

Creamy pasta. One colorful pan.

A Phantom ceramic nonstick fry pan gives you plenty of room to build the tomato sauce and toss everything together for an easy weeknight pasta dinner.

SHOP PHANTOM FRY PANS