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Pesto Inspired Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

10-Minute Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce (Pesto Inspired)

This 10-Minute High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is a creamy, pesto-inspired sauce made with cottage cheese, spinach, avocado, fresh basil and Parmesan. Before you get started, don't miss my Recipe Testing Tips and FAQs above—they'll help you get the best results on your first try.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 2 servings
Calories 264 kcal

Equipment

High speed blender
Cooking pot,
Wooden or silicone spatula.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup of cottage cheese 250g
  • 7 oz bag of fresh baby spinach 200g
  • 1 bunch fresh basil
  • 1 ripe large avocado
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of ½ large lemon or 1 full small lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts optional

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth. (You can save a few basil leaves for garnish after)
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
  • Return the drained pasta to the same pot. Pour over the sauce and toss gently over low heat for 1–2 minutes until warmed through. Add a splash of pasta water if needed.
  • Serve immediately with shaved Parmesan, fresh basil, cracked black pepper and toasted pine nuts if desired.

Notes

  • I tested this recipe with 2% cottage cheese, but full-fat works just as well.
  • I recommend using fresh spinach for the brightest flavour and colour.
  • Adjust the consistency with a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
  • For the best results, be sure to read my Recipe Testing Tips and FAQs above before you start.
    Looking for more cottage cheese recipes? Scroll below the recipe card for more ideas, or try my Cottage Cheese Egg Bake, Cottage Cheese Flatbread and Cottage Cheese Quiche next.
Nutritional information is approximate; it will depend on the type of cottage cheese and Parmesan you use. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5of the batchCalories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 23gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 560mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 6800IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 360mgIron: 3.8mg
Keyword cottage cheese pasta sauce, high-protein pasta sauce
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was in the comments below.