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Creamy Pesto Pasta (With Cottage Cheese)

Creamy Pesto Pasta (with Cottage Cheese)

This Creamy Pesto Pasta blends pesto with cottage cheese for a rich, creamy sauce with an extra boost of protein. It’s an easy weeknight pasta that comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Course: Dinner, main dish
Cuisine: American-Italian

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces mezze rigatoni (or pasta shape of your choice (use gf pasta for gluten-free))
  • ⅔ cup low-fat cottage cheese (I like Good Culture)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups fresh basil (packed)
  • 5 to 6 tablespoons water
  • 5 tablespoons parmesan cheese ( or Pecorino Romano grated, plus more optional for topping)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of generously salted water to boil.
  • Add the cottage cheese to a small blender with 2 tablespoons water, and process for about 15 seconds until smooth. Set aside.
  • Add garlic cloves to the food processor. Turn on for 15 to 30 secs until minced. Add the basil and continue processing until finely chopped. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons water, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth throughout.
  • Once the pot is boiling, cook the pasta al dente, according to package directions. About 1 minute before draining, remove 1/2 cup pasta water and set aside. Drain the rest and pour the pasta back into the pot, remove from heat, let sit 2 minutes off the heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
  • Pour in the pesto and stir, then the cottage cheese and stir well, until no streaks remain and the sauce and pasta are coated throughout.
  • If you would like the sauce any thinner, you may add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Top off with extra grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and some extra salt and cracked black pepper, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1½ cups (scant), Calories: 340kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 14.5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 6.5mg, Sodium: 228.5mg, Fiber: 6.5g, Sugar: 3.5g
- WW Points: 10