Cottage Cheese Creamy Pesto Pasta
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
8 mins
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Cook Time
12 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
435 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Cottage Cheese Creamy Pesto Pasta
Description
This pasta dish uses cooked orecchiette or your preferred pasta tossed in a creamy sauce made by combining basil pesto with cottage cheese and some of the water reserved from cooking the pasta. Blending these ingredients forms a smooth sauce that clings well to each piece of pasta.
The cottage cheese adds a mild creaminess without overwhelming the fresh and savory basil pesto flavor. Seasoning with salt, pepper, and garnishing with crushed red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese layers in additional taste and a gentle heat. Fresh basil enhances the aromatic profile.
It is served warm and suitable as a main course for lunch or dinner. You can adjust the sauce thickness by adding more reserved pasta water as needed, making the texture flexible according to preference.
Ingredients
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta or pasta of your choice
- 1 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup cottage cheese I recommend 2% or 4%
- 1/2 cup water reserved pasta water
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- red pepper flakes for garnish, crushed flakes, fresh basil
- basil
- Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Use a colander to drain the pasta. Return to pot or place in a large serving bowl.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the pesto, cottage cheese, and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add the creamy pesto sauce to the pasta and stir until pasta is well coated. Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency; adding more water helps if the sauce is too thick.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 435 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 435kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 9mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 501mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 205mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 882IU | 18% |
| Calcium | 111mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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