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Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe

Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 29 reviews

This Cottage Cheese Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender rigatoni pasta with savory chicken mince cooked in a flavorful blend of marinara sauce and cottage cheese. Enhanced with Italian seasoning, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes, this recipe is perfect for a wholesome, protein-packed dinner that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 3 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta

Meat and Veggies

  • 1 lb chicken mince
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasoning & Sauces

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • A pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
  • ½ cup cottage cheese

Toppings

  • Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Cook the chicken mince: Add the chicken mince to the skillet along with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir and break apart the mince with a spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
  4. Prepare the creamy sauce: While the chicken cooks, blend the marinara sauce and cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine pasta with sauce and chicken: Pour the blended sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Add the cooked rigatoni and stir thoroughly to combine. Let everything warm together for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
  6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken mince with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu.
  • Use low-fat cottage cheese to reduce the fat content.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired spice level.
  • Fresh basil can be replaced with dried basil if fresh is unavailable.
  • Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cottage cheese pasta, creamy pasta recipe, chicken rigatoni, easy dinner, healthy pasta dish, Italian seasoning pasta

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/cottage-cheese-pasta-recipe-2/