Description
Transform your pasta night with this High-Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce! This creamy, protein-rich sauce combines cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh herbs for a satisfying and health-conscious meal. Paired with high-protein pasta and turkey sausage, it’s a perfect quick and easy dinner idea for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 10 oz (300 g) high-protein pasta (e.g., chickpea or lentil pasta)
- 2 cups (400 g) cottage cheese
- 1 cup (250 g) tomato sauce or passata
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ¾ lb (350 g) turkey sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup (30 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook high-protein pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water and drain the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce: Blend cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh basil in a blender until smooth. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add turkey sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Add the blended sauce to the skillet with the sausage. Stir gently, heating through without boiling to avoid curdling. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Finish and Serve: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with additional Parmesan and parsley as garnish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit turkey sausage or substitute it with plant-based sausage.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or sautéed vegetables for extra nutrition.
- Avoid overheating the sauce to prevent curdling.
