Creamy Cottage Cheese Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce Recipe
Creamy Cottage Cheese Tomato Basil Sauce is a smooth, protein-packed pasta sauce made by blending sautéed garlic and seasoned diced tomatoes with creamy cottage cheese, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. This sauce offers a rich, velvety texture without using any cream, making it a perfect quick and budget-friendly meal for weeknights or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat, small curd cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, ensuring it releases its aroma without burning.
- Add tomatoes and seasoning: Pour the diced tomatoes with their juice into the skillet. Add salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and dried oregano. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer the tomato mixture to a blender. Add the cottage cheese, fresh basil leaves, and grated Parmesan cheese. Blend on high until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Adjust the texture: Pour the blended sauce back into the skillet. Stir in the reserved pasta water and gently warm the sauce over low heat for 2–3 minutes until heated through, which helps loosen the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Serve and enjoy: Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or spaghetti. Alternatively, spoon it over roasted vegetables or grilled chicken. Garnish with extra fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can customize the heat level by adjusting or omitting red pepper flakes.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to adjust sauce consistency; don’t discard it.
- Use full-fat, small curd cottage cheese for the creamiest texture.
- This sauce pairs well not only with pasta but also as a topping for grilled proteins or roasted veggies.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute Parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative and use a lactose-free cottage cheese or tofu blend.
Keywords: creamy tomato sauce, cottage cheese sauce, tomato basil sauce, healthy pasta sauce, quick weeknight dinner, high protein sauce, budget-friendly dinner
