High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipe
This High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce recipe offers a creamy, nutritious twist on classic pasta dishes by incorporating cottage cheese and turkey sausage for a protein-packed meal. Featuring chickpea pasta and a flavorful tomato basil sauce, it’s a delicious and satisfying option for those seeking a healthy, high-protein dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 10 oz (300 g) chickpea pasta, or your favorite high-protein pasta
Sauce and Mix-ins
- 2 cups (400 g) cottage cheese
- 1 cup (250 g) tomato sauce, passata
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- ¾ lb (350 g) turkey sausage, cut into bite-size pieces
- ⅓ cup (30 g) Parmesan, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the chickpea pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the cottage cheese sauce: While the pasta is cooking, place the cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and fresh basil leaves in a blender. Blitz the mixture until smooth and creamy. Set this sauce aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely diced onion and chopped garlic cloves, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Cook the turkey sausage: Add the bite-sized turkey sausage pieces to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Combine sauce and cook through: Pour the blended cottage cheese sauce into the skillet with the turkey sausage and vegetables. Stir and allow to heat through gently over medium-low heat.
- Toss with pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to combine. If the sauce seems too thick or dry, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Finish with cheese and herbs: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Adjust salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately: Serve the pasta hot, topped with extra grated Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired for garnish.
Notes
- Use chickpea pasta or any high-protein pasta for an added protein boost.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a creamier texture.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables.
- Fresh basil and parsley enhance flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if needed.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; leftovers can be reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: high protein pasta sauce, cottage cheese sauce, turkey sausage pasta, healthy pasta recipe, chickpea pasta, high protein dinner
