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Cottage Cheese Alfredo

High Protein Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Creamy, protein-packed alfredo sauce made with cottage cheese and parmesan for a healthier take on the classic Italian-American favorite. Ready in 25 minutes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk of choice whole, 2%, almond, or oat milk
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese full-fat or low-fat
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder plus more to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan or romano cheese freshly grated from block
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano or to taste
  • 1/2 pound prepared pasta fettuccine, penne, or pasta of choice (optional)
  • prepared meat of choice grilled chicken, shrimp, etc. (optional)
  • prepared vegetables of choice broccoli, spinach, etc. (optional)
  • chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Standard blender or food processor
  • small saucepan
  • Silicone spatula
  • Tongs
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving plates or bowls

Method
 

  1. Add milk, cottage cheese, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and grated parmesan to blender. Blend on high speed for 45 to 60 seconds until mixture is completely smooth with no visible cottage cheese curds, pausing to scrape down sides of blender as needed.
  2. Transfer smooth mixture to small saucepan. Stir in desired amounts of dried basil and dried oregano (approximately 1/4 teaspoon each).
  3. Place saucepan on stovetop over medium-low heat. Simmer mixture, stirring frequently with silicone spatula, until sauce is heated through completely. Stir often to prevent sticking, burning, or curdling.
  4. Once sauce is steaming hot and heated through, taste and add additional salt, pepper, basil, or oregano as desired.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Simmer sauce approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture has thickened slightly to coat the back of a spoon. Don't leave on heat too long or sauce will reduce too much.
  6. Add desired amount of prepared pasta to sauce and use tongs to toss pasta, ensuring all pasta is evenly coated in sauce. Let pasta simmer in sauce approximately 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to marry.
  7. Transfer pasta to serving plates or bowls. Top with prepared meat or vegetables as desired. Spoon any remaining sauce over pasta, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

As written, this alfredo sauce works best with about half a pound of prepared pasta, but you can easily double the recipe if needed. If you prefer less-saucy pasta, keep the sauce recipe as is and use a full pound of pasta. For Cajun alfredo, add Tony Chachere's or Cajun spice blend to taste. Store leftover sauce separately from pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently, and add a splash of milk if sauce has thickened too much.
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