This high-protein cottage cheese pasta sauce is cozy, easy to make and absolutely delicious. It’s loaded with protein and fiber and will keep you full for hours!
If you’ve been looking for a high-protein pasta sauce that doesn’t taste like diet food, you’ve just found it!
It’s just the perfect recipe to try when you’re looking for a perfect post-gym dinner or simply whenever you’re looking to up your protein intake.
Why you’ll love this cottage cheese pasta sauce
- It’s super easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
- You won’t sacrifice flavor while trying to eat healthier.
- The cottage cheese and turkey sausage offer a great protein boost, perfect for fueling your body after a workout.
What you’ll need
Cottage cheese — Both regular and fat-free cottage cheese work well in this high-protein pasta sauce. Since it gets blended with the tomato sauce and basil, you won’t be actually be able to tell the difference so pick the one you need for your macros.
Fresh basil — This is what gives this cottage cheese pasta sauce that wow factor that separates it from fad, diet-type recipes. Add as much as you like!
Sausage — I opted for lean turkey sausage but chicken sausage or low-fat pork or beef sausages are all great choices.
Parmesan — For that cheesy, salty finish! As always, fresh is best.
Pasta — Boost the protein intake of this pasta dish even more by using high-protein pasta such as chickpea pasta or red lentil pasta. Anything with more than 10 g of protein per 2 oz is great.
Pro tip
Blend the sauce well for ultimate creaminess! You don’t want to feel any of the cottage cheese texture so go for perfect smoothness.
How to make this high protein pasta sauce
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Cook the pasta: Boil a pot of salted water and cook your pasta according to the package directions. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining.
Sauté & brown: Heat olive oil in a skillet, then sauté onion and garlic. Add the turkey sausage and cook until browned.
Combine & serve: Stir the sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan, and parsley. Toss to combine, adding some reserved pasta water if needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Substitutions and variations
- Make it spicy — Add red pepper flakes to the sauce while blending, or stir in a touch of your favorite hot sauce.
- Add extra veggies to the blended sauce, like roasted red bell peppers or zucchini. For a green boost, add some kale to the pasta pot for the last 1-2 minutes then toss everything with the sauce.
- Use a combination of cottage cheese and ricotta for an even creamier sauce.
Helpful tips for the best cottage cheese pasta sauce
- Cottage cheese may curdle slightly when overheated. Gently warm the sauce through, but avoid reaching a boiling point.
- Reserve a good amount of the starchy pasta water before draining. A splash or two in your sauce helps it bind to the pasta better and creates a silky consistency.
- Boost the flavor with a final sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs like basil or parsley.
Leftovers and storage
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Reheat the pasta gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of stock or water to loosen it up.
- I wouldn’t recommend freezing this pasta dish because the cottage cheese sauce won’t have a nice texture after defrosting.
High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 10 oz (300 g) chickpea pasta, or your favorite high-protein pasta
- 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
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups
- 10 oz chickpea pasta
- Meanwhile, place the cottage cheese, tomato sauce and basil leaves in a blender and blitz until smooth. Set aside.2 cups cottage cheese1 cup tomato sauce6-8 fresh basil leaves
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and saute the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.1 tablespoon olive oil1 medium onion2 garlic cloves
- Add the turkey sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes or until browned to your liking.¾ lb turkey sausage
- Stir in the cottage cheese sauce and allow to heat through.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to combine. Add some of the reserved pasta water if it looks too dry.
- Stir in the Parmesan and fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning to taste. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan on top if you like.⅓ cup Parmesan2 tablespoons fresh parsleySalt and freshly ground pepper to taste