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Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe

5 from 146 reviews

This creamy and healthy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a delicious alternative to traditional cream-based sauces. Featuring cottage cheese blended with milk and Parmesan, it delivers a smooth, protein-packed sauce perfect for coating spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. Garlic sautéed in olive oil adds a fragrant base, while cornstarch thickens the sauce to the ideal consistency. Ready in under 25 minutes, this easy recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner or a cozy meal topped with freshly chopped parsley.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce

  • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil or butter
  • 1 ½ cups Cottage Cheese
  • ¾ cup Skim Milk or half-and-half (or unsweetened almond/soy milk as an alternative)
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
  • 6 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 pinch Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1 pinch Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch (or ½ teaspoon guar gum as a substitute)
  • 4 tablespoons Water (cold, for mixing with cornstarch)

For Serving

  • 8 ounces cooked pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
  • Freshly chopped Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Blend Sauce Base: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, skim milk, and grated Parmesan. Blend on high until the mixture is creamy, thick, and smooth. Set aside.
  3. Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil or butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Simmer Sauce: Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the saucepan with garlic. Bring to a gentle simmer; the sauce will initially thin out significantly, which is normal. Reduce heat to low.
  5. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually whisk this mixture into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
  6. Combine with Pasta: Stir in the cooked pasta and continue to cook for a few minutes until the pasta is warmed through and fully coated with the sauce.
  7. Serve: Transfer pasta to plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Note 1: You can substitute the skim milk or half-and-half with unsweetened almond milk or soy milk for a dairy-free option.
  • Note 2: Instead of cornstarch, ½ teaspoon guar gum can be used to thicken the sauce. Sprinkle guar gum directly over the warm sauce and whisk until thickened, no cold water needed.
  • Storage: Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken when cold; rewarm gently with a splash of water to loosen. Freeze for up to one month and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Keywords: cottage cheese pasta sauce, healthy pasta sauce, creamy cottage cheese sauce, low fat pasta sauce, easy pasta sauce recipe, garlic pasta sauce