5.0 from 18 votes
Cottage Cheese Creamy Pesto Pasta
You only need 3-ingredients and 20 minutes to make this protein-packed creamy pesto pasta. It is the perfect weeknight meal, kids and adults love it!
Prep Time
8 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 435 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
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 reserved pasta water
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- For garnish: crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and 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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- I use 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, but if the sauce is too thick for your liking, you can add a little extra pasta water and blend again. I always save 1 cup just to be safe!
Nutrition Information
Calories
435kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
54g
(18%)
Protein
16g
(32%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.4g
Cholesterol
9mg
(3%)
Sodium
501mg
(21%)
Potassium
205mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
882IU
(18%)
Calcium
111mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 435
% 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.