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Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe

Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 28 reviews

This Cottage Cheese Pasta recipe combines tender rigatoni with a creamy blend of cottage cheese and marinara sauce, mixed with savory cooked chicken mince and Italian seasonings. It’s an easy, comforting dish packed with protein and flavor, garnished with fresh basil and parmesan for an extra touch of richness. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 3 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta
  • Salt (for pasta water)

Sauce and Protein

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb chicken mince
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
  • ½ cup cottage cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish

  • Parmesan cheese, grated, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add chicken mince to the skillet along with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Break apart the chicken gently with a spatula, mixing evenly with the seasonings. Cook for 6-8 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
  4. Prepare Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the marinara sauce and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine Ingredients: Pour the blended sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Add the cooked rigatoni and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use fresh basil leaves for the best garnish flavor.
  • The red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken mince with cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles.
  • Ensure not to overcook the pasta to maintain texture when mixing with the sauce.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/cottage-cheese-pasta-recipe-3/