Description
Cottage Cheese Pasta (plant-based) is a creamy, comforting, and flavorful dish that combines tender pasta with rich cottage cheese (plant-based) and fresh ingredients like garlic, cherry tomatoes, and basil. This versatile recipe is quick to prepare, packed with protein, and easily adaptable with plant-based options and variations to suit different tastes. Perfect for a light but filling lunch or dinner, it delivers a nourishing, satisfying meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 200g pasta of choice (e.g., penne or fusilli)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (plant-based), room temperature
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving a little pasta water for later.
- Prepare the sauce base: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant but not browned, about one minute.
- Combine cottage cheese (plant-based) and lemon juice (natural): Lower the heat and stir in the cottage cheese (plant-based), mixing well to achieve a creamy consistency. Add fresh lemon juice (natural) to brighten the flavors and gently warm the mixture without boiling.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh basil, stirring lightly to combine. Let the tomatoes soften slightly while maintaining their freshness.
- Mix pasta and finish seasoning: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently fold everything together. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the desired creamy texture is reached. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use room temperature cottage cheese (plant-based) to blend smoothly and avoid clumps.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavors.
- Do not overcook garlic to keep its sweet, mellow aroma.
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley last minute to preserve vibrant color and flavor.
- Heat the cottage cheese mixture gently to prevent curdling and maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cottage cheese pasta, plant-based pasta recipe, creamy pasta, quick pasta dish, vegetarian pasta, gluten free pasta