Creamy High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
A creamy, comforting pasta dish that's packed with protein, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz pasta (rotini or penne) Works best with these types
- 1 lb ground turkey (93/7 lean) Can swap for lean beef or ground chicken
Vegetables
- 1 cup onion (diced) Approx. 120 grams
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups red bell pepper (diced) Approx. 220 grams, about 2 medium peppers
- 3 cups spinach (packed and chopped) Approx. 90 grams
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes Use less for less spicy
- 2 cups pasta sauce (marinara)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat) Can substitute with ricotta or vegan cream cheese
Toppings
- to taste Fresh basil For topping
- to taste Grated parmesan cheese For topping
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper To taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, dice the onion, mince the garlic, dice the bell pepper, and chop the spinach.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add diced onions with a pinch of salt and pepper, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until mostly cooked through.
- Stir in the diced bell peppers, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until peppers have softened.
- Add the chopped spinach to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
- While spinach wilts, blend the marinara sauce and cottage cheese in a high-speed blender or food processor for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth.
- Pour the creamy cottage cheese sauce over the turkey and vegetables. Add drained pasta and 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes until well-coated and warmed through.
Serving
- Top with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or garlic bread. For a filling meal, consider serving alongside some roasted vegetables. Adjust spice levels and add more vegetables as desired.