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Cottage Cheese Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe

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This Cottage Cheese Creamy Pesto Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish that combines al dente orecchiette pasta with a smooth, protein-rich pesto sauce made creamy by cottage cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers a fresh, healthy twist on traditional pesto pasta, garnished with crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb orecchiette pasta (or pasta of your choice)
  • 1 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (2% or 4% recommended)
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

For Garnish

  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orecchiette pasta until al dente as per package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining using a colander. Return the drained pasta to the pot or transfer it to a large serving bowl.
  2. Prepare Creamy Pesto Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the basil pesto, cottage cheese, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
  3. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the creamy pesto sauce over the cooked pasta and stir thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the pasta with crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves, and parmesan cheese to enhance flavor and presentation. Serve the creamy pesto pasta warm for the best taste experience.

Notes

  • Use 2% or 4% cottage cheese for creamier texture and richer flavor.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • To make this dish vegan, substitute pesto with a vegan version and use vegan cottage cheese alternatives.
  • You can switch up the type of pasta based on preference, but cooking times may vary.
  • Adjust salt and pepper seasoning to your liking.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/cottage-cheese-creamy-pesto-pasta-recipe/