High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe
Introduction
This high protein cottage cheese pasta sauce is a creamy, flavorful alternative to traditional tomato sauces. Combining cottage cheese with turkey sausage and fresh herbs, it creates a satisfying and nutritious meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 10 oz chickpea pasta (or your favorite high-protein pasta)
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup tomato sauce (passata)
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 3/4 lb turkey sausage (cut into bite-size pieces)
- 1/3 cup Parmesan (grated)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Step 2: While the pasta cooks, combine the cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and basil leaves in a blender. Blitz until smooth and set aside.
- Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and chopped garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Add the turkey sausage pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
- Step 5: Stir the blended cottage cheese sauce into the skillet. Allow it to heat through, stirring gently.
- Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to combine with the sauce. If the mixture appears too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it.
- Step 7: Stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables instead.
- You can substitute turkey sausage with chicken or beef sausage to suit your preference.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor, but dried basil can be substituted in a pinch (use about one teaspoon).
- Chickpea pasta adds extra protein and fiber; feel free to use other high-protein pasta like lentil or black bean varieties.
Storage
Store leftover pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep cooked pasta separate if possible to maintain texture. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular pasta instead of chickpea pasta?
Yes, you can use any pasta you prefer. Chickpea pasta boosts the protein content, but regular pasta works well with this sauce too.
Is this sauce suitable for freezing?
While the sauce can be frozen, the texture of the cottage cheese may change upon thawing. It’s best to freeze the cooked sausage separately and combine with freshly prepared sauce when ready to eat.
PrintHigh Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe
This High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce recipe features a creamy and flavorful sauce made with cottage cheese, tomato passata, and fresh basil, paired with protein-rich chickpea pasta and turkey sausage. It’s a nutritious and satisfying dish perfect for a healthy, high-protein meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Pasta
- 10 oz chickpea pasta (or your favorite high-protein pasta)
Sauce
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup tomato sauce (passata)
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves
For Sautéing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
- 3/4 lb turkey sausage (cut into bite-size pieces)
Finishing Touches
- 1/3 cup Parmesan (grated)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the chickpea pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare the sauce base. While the pasta cooks, combine the cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh basil leaves in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set this sauce aside.
- Sauté aromatics. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and chopped garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Cook the sausage. Add the turkey sausage pieces to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Combine sauce with sausage. Pour the blended cottage cheese sauce into the skillet with the browned sausage. Stir well and let it heat through gently on medium-low heat.
- Add and toss the pasta. Add the cooked and drained chickpea pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta with the sauce. If the mixture looks too dry, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Finish and serve. Stir in the grated Parmesan and fresh parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the pasta immediately, optionally topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Using chickpea pasta boosts the protein content of the dish while keeping it gluten-free.
- Reserve pasta water helps to loosen the sauce in case it thickens too much after mixing.
- Ground turkey sausage can be substituted with chicken sausage or vegetarian sausage if preferred.
- This sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently and add reserved pasta water as needed.
- For a smoother sauce texture, blend longer or strain if desired.
Keywords: high protein pasta sauce, cottage cheese pasta sauce, turkey sausage pasta, healthy pasta recipe, chickpea pasta dishes, creamy tomato sauce
