Description

Cottage Cheese Pasta is a quick, creamy, and comforting meal combining plant-based cottage cheese with tender pasta, fresh spinach, and cherry tomatoes. This versatile and nutritious dish is perfect for busy days or any time you want a warm, filling, and wholesome meal that is easy to customize with your favorite herbs and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

200g pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
1 cup cottage cheese (plant-based)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon lemon juice (natural)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup plant-based Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling

Optional Variations

1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers
1 teaspoon thyme, oregano, or rosemary (fresh or dried)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or hot paprika
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts or walnuts
100g grilled chicken strips or shrimp

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water, then set pasta aside.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes, cooking until the spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
Combine Cottage Cheese (plant-based) and Pasta: Reduce heat to low. Add the plant-based cottage cheese to the skillet and stir gently to warm it through without breaking down its texture. Add the cooked pasta and mix well to coat all ingredients evenly. Use reserved pasta water sparingly to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
Season and Finish: Add lemon juice, fresh basil leaves, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir to combine all flavors. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle plant-based Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

Notes

Choose pasta shapes with grooves or twists to hold more sauce.
If the cottage cheese is too watery, drain slightly to avoid a runny sauce.
Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce without adding more oil or cream.
Use fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
Do not overheat the cottage cheese to preserve its creamy texture.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 20 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: cottage cheese pasta, plant-based pasta recipe, creamy pasta, quick dinner, vegetarian pasta, gluten free pasta