This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
In just under 20 minutes, you can have a protein-packed, meat-free meal with this creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta! This recipe only requires 6 ingredients – pasta, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, a little butter, and a dash of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Pair it with a light side dish, and you’ve got a delicious meal that’s guaranteed to satisfy!
Jump to Section
- Why you’ll love this cottage cheese pasta sauce
- Cottage cheese pasta sauce ingredients
- How to make pasta sauce with cottage cheese
- Tips for making the best creamy cottage cheese pasta
- Popular substitutions & additions
- What to serve with cottage cheese tomato pasta
- How to store & reheat cottage cheese pasta
- Frequently asked questions
- More pasta sauce recipes:
- Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy, weeknight meal, this creamy tomato pasta with cottage cheese is perfect. What’s great about this recipe is you just have to cook the pasta, followed by blending the cottage cheese and marinara sauce together, and then simply toss your cottage cheese sauce in with the warm pasta to heat up. That’s it!
Why you’ll love this cottage cheese pasta sauce
- Packed with protein. Pasta sauces aren’t usually a go-to for protein, but each serving of this cottage cheese tomato pasta has about 17 grams of protein!
- Great for lunch! Whether you make this recipe fresh or ahead of time for leftovers, you’ll love how quickly and easily it comes together. Pair with a house salad or toss in another protein that cooks quickly for a fully loaded lunch to keep you going throughout the day.
- Customizable: You can tweak the recipe to your liking. Want to add more vegetables? Go ahead. Prefer a different type of pasta? No problem. This recipe is a great base to get creative with.
Cottage cheese pasta sauce ingredients
- Cottage cheese: Whole milk cottage cheese is preferred as it makes a much more creamy and smooth sauce. You can use lower-fat cottage cheese, but the flavor won’t be as rich.
- Marinara sauce: Any marinara sauce will work, whether homemade or store-bought.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for a sharp, nutty taste that blends well into your cottage cheese tomato sauce.
- Butter: A few tablespoons of butter adds richness and helps to create a smooth and creamy consistency for your sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: For flavor. Add more for a little extra heat.
- Pasta: I use fusilli pasta, but any pasta will work!
How to make pasta sauce with cottage cheese
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions making sure to reserve some of the pasta water. Add the pasta water to a blender with tomato sauce, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, melted butter, and crushed red pepper.
- Blend until the pasta sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the sauce onto the cooked pasta in the pot.
- Toss until combined and the sauce has heated through.
Tips for making the best creamy cottage cheese pasta
- Don’t skip adding the pasta water to your sauce. The starchy water can help thin your sauce if it gets too thick, and it can also help the sauce adhere better to the pasta.
- Choose your pasta wisely. Fusilli is fantastic in this recipe because its twists and turns hold onto the creamy sauce well, but other textured pasta like farfalle, penne, or rigatoni would work well too.
- Use any blending equipment you have. I use my favorite high-speed blender to blend my cottage cheese sauce, but you could also use a food processor or immersion blender.
- Have your pasta sauce ready to go. Make sure your pasta sauce is ready and waiting to be mixed into the hot pasta as soon as you drain it. The sauce is relying on the hot pasta to heat it through. If you find that your sauce did not get warm enough for your liking, you can heat it on medium-low for 5 minutes.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Add veggies. Just like most pasta dishes, adding more vegetables can really bulk up your meal! Try adding sauteed spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or any other veggies you like to your pasta.
- Add protein! If you’re looking to make this a more complete meal and want to include a main ingredient, try adding baked tofu, chickpeas, or white beans for a vegetarian option. You can also add in ground beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Switch up the cheese: While the recipe calls for cottage cheese, you could also experiment with ricotta for a slightly different flavor and texture. Or add in some cream cheese for an extra level of creaminess.
What to serve with cottage cheese tomato pasta
- Crisp Cauliflower Bites
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Air Fryer Tofu
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Lemony Peppered Salmon
- Garlic Butter Steak Tips
How to store & reheat cottage cheese pasta
Allow the pasta to cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge. This pasta is perfect for leftovers! Reheat on the stove with a splash of water or broth until heated through.
How long will creamy tomato sauce last in the fridge?
Cottage cheese pasta will last in the fridge up to 4 days.
Can I freeze tomato sauce with cottage cheese?
Freezing is not recommended, as the texture and quality may be negatively affected. Cottage cheese tends to become watery and grainy when frozen and thawed, resulting in an undesirable consistency. Enjoying your pasta fresh or refrigerating any leftovers for a few days is best.
Frequently asked questions
Make sure to cook the pasta just to al dente, to avoid mushy noodles. The pasta will continue to cook when you add the sauce.
You don’t have to, but you’re going to want to. The cottage cheese needs to be blended in order to smoothly incorporate into the sauce. Otherwise it will be chunky.
Cottage cheese does not melt like some other types of cheese when cooked. It has a high moisture content and a curd-like texture, which prevents it from melting into a smooth, gooey consistency. This recipe blends the cottage cheese into the tomato sauce for a smoother consistency.
Cottage cheese tomato pasta is a delicious and wholesome dish that brings together the creamy goodness of cottage cheese with the robust flavors of marinara sauce. It is a comforting and satisfying meal that can be prepared quickly, making it perfect for a satisfying and protein-rich option.
More pasta sauce recipes:
- Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
- Cajun Pasta with Chicken
- Chicken with Pesto Pasta
- Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
- Yogurt Sauce Pasta with Pine Nuts
- Vegan Cashew Tomato Pasta
- Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
- Arrabiata Pasta with Shrimp
- Green Pea Pasta Sauce
If you try this feel good Cottage Cheese Tomato Pasta recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces fusilli pasta or pasta of choice
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup whole-milk cottage cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain and return the pasta to the pot, covered.
- Place marinara sauce, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, melted butter, crushed red pepper and pasta water in a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the sauce on top of the cooked pasta and toss until combined and heated through. Serve immediately with more red pepper flakes and chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
I made this but added garlic, mushrooms and peppers and pesto to the sauce. I needed the whole cup of pasta water. I only used half of the pasta so 8oz. It was very tasty and l will make it again.
Love your tweaks! So glad you enjoyed it, Yvonne!!
Recipe was delicious and easy. I had fresh spinach to use up and added it to the cooked pasta. Also had fresh basil and added a handful to the blender with the other ingredients.
Love those additions, sounds fresh and so good! Thanks, Eve!!
Absolutely AMAZING🙌🏻
Thank you, Laura!