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High Protein Pasta (Cottage Cheese Pasta) Recipe

High Protein Pasta (Cottage Cheese Pasta) Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 23 reviews

This High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta is a nutritious and delicious meal perfect for those seeking a wholesome, protein-packed dish. Featuring protein-enriched pasta combined with a creamy cottage cheese sauce infused with garlic and parmesan, plus fresh spinach for added vitamins, this recipe is both satisfying and easy to prepare. It’s a wholesome option for a quick lunch or dinner that keeps you fueled and full.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces protein pasta

Sauce

  • 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic (or 2 garlic cloves, minced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Vegetables

  • 2 cups chopped spinach

Other

  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the protein pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Blend Sauce: In a blender, combine the low-fat cottage cheese, skim milk, parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Blend the mixture until it turns smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
  3. Warm Sauce: Pour the blended cottage cheese sauce into a non-stick skillet and warm it over low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and heat it gently without boiling.
  4. Add Spinach: Once the sauce is warm, add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Stir together until the spinach wilts down and incorporates evenly into the sauce, enhancing flavor and texture.
  5. Drain Pasta: Before draining the cooked pasta, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Then drain the pasta thoroughly to remove excess water.
  6. Add Pasta to Sauce: Add the reserved pasta water to the warm cottage cheese sauce. Then transfer the drained pasta to the skillet mixing everything together.
  7. Coat Pasta with Sauce: Turn off the heat and stir the pasta continuously in the sauce for 1-2 minutes. This allows the sauce to coat the pasta evenly and thicken slightly. Note that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  8. Top and Serve: Finish by sprinkling additional cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy, protein-rich pasta.

Notes

  • Using protein-enriched pasta boosts the protein content significantly, making this a filling meal.
  • Reserving pasta water adds starch to the sauce which helps it cling better to the pasta.
  • You can substitute the spinach with other greens like kale or arugula based on preference.
  • Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if your parmesan cheese is salty.
  • This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored refrigerated and gently reheated with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: high protein pasta, cottage cheese pasta, healthy pasta recipe, protein rich meals, low fat dinner, quick pasta, spinach pasta

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/high-protein-pasta-cottage-cheese-pasta-recipe/