There’s something undeniably charming about the comforting aroma of a creamy pasta dish wafting through your kitchen. Picture it: a steaming bowl of Cottage Cheese Alfredo, its rich sauce clinging to perfectly cooked linguine, glistening with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. As you lift a forkful to your mouth, the silky texture envelops your taste buds in a warm hug, making everything feel right in the world, even on the busiest weeknight. I can’t help but remember cozy dinners spent at my grandmother’s house, where she would serve a saucy pasta dish that always brought everyone together, filling the room with laughter.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Cottage Cheese Alfredo
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Imagine enjoying this lightened-up version that satisfies all the cravings for an indulgent meal without weighing you down. With each bite of this Cottage Cheese Alfredo, you’ll get a delightful blend of flavors that won’t leave you feeling overly stuffed. Perfect for a quick family dinner, this dish is ready in just over twenty minutes! So, gather those pantry staples and join me in creating this beautiful, creamy dish that is sure to become a favorite in your home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: On the table in just about 22 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight.
Irresistible Flavor: Silky, creamy sauce that gives you all the comfort without the heaviness.
Eye-Catching Appeal: A vibrant dish decorated with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan.
Flexible Serving: Great for family dinners, potlucks, or even a cozy weekend lunch.
Diet-Friendly Options: Lower in calories than traditional Alfredo, but just as delightful!

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups cottage cheese (4% fat): This is the star of the show, delivering a creamy texture and protein boost. Opt for full-fat for the richest flavor; low-fat or nonfat can work but may not be as creamy.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty depth to the sauce. Freshly grated is preferable, but pre-grated can do in a pinch.
1/4 cup half and half: This gives the sauce its creaminess. You can substitute with whole milk for a lighter version, or a plant-based milk mixed with a little additional fat.
1 teaspoon garlic powder: A quick way to infuse flavor; fresh garlic can also be used for a more robust taste.
1 teaspoon onion powder: This adds a subtle sweetness and rounds out the flavor profile beautifully.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors; adjust based on your taste preferences.
1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a nice kick; adjust according to your spice tolerance.
1 pound linguine: The long strands of pasta soak up the sauce beautifully. Feel free to swap it for gluten-free pasta if needed.
1/2 cup pasta water: The starchy water helps to thin the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta.
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: Offers a pop of color and freshness to finish the dish.
Extra grated Parmesan for serving: Because more cheese is always a good idea!

How to Make Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water and toss in a generous pinch of salt to flavor the linguine beautifully. Bring the water to a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook according to package directions until it’s just past al dente. This slight doneness ensures it will hold onto the creamy sauce perfectly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Blend the Alfredo Sauce: In the meantime, combine the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, half and half, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 to 60 seconds. If the mixture appears thick, keep blending until you achieve that luxurious, yogurt-like consistency that’s hallmark to any delicious Alfredo sauce.

Warm the Sauce: Transfer the blended sauce to a large skillet over medium heat. Cottage cheese-based sauces can thicken quickly, so give it some attention! Stir gently as it warms; you want it heated through and the cheese melted without boiling it. If you find the sauce getting too thick, stirring in a splash of that reserved pasta water or a little more half and half will work wonders.

Combine Pasta and Sauce: Once the linguine is perfectly cooked, reserve about ½ cup of that luscious pasta water and drain the rest. Toss the pasta directly into the warm sauce, using tongs to coat each strand generously. If the consistency seems too thick, drizzle in a bit of the pasta water at a time until you achieve your desired creaminess. Oh, this is where it starts to get exciting!

Serve: Season to taste, adding more salt or pepper as desired. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for freshness, and don’t hold back on the extra Parmesan! Serve your **Cottage Cheese Alfredo** immediately while it’s still silky and warm. Keep in mind, the sauce thickens while it cools, so enjoy every moment!

Storing & Reheating

To store any leftovers of your Cottage Cheese Alfredo, allow the dish to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to store it for longer, consider freezing it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When reheating, do so on low heat in a saucepan, adding a splash of half and half or pasta water to restore that creamy texture, as the sauce may thicken during storage.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overcooking your pasta; you want it firm as it will continue to cook slightly in the sauce.
Keep the sauce on low heat after blending to avoid it thickening too quickly.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water; it’s full of starch and helps with sauce consistency.
For a flavor twist, consider sautéing some spinach or mushrooms to mix in before serving.
This sauce is also great with other pasta shapes or even as a drizzle over roasted veggies!

There’s nothing quite like the deliciousness of this Cottage Cheese Alfredo to brighten up your dinner table. It’s creamy, comforting, and so much lighter than traditional options. Don’t hesitate to experiment—add your favorite veggies, swap in different pasta, or incorporate left-over rotisserie chicken. The kitchen is your playground!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use low-fat cottage cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! While I recommend using full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture, low-fat options will still work. Keep in mind that the flavor and richness may be slightly less pronounced, but it will still create a lovely sauce.

What can I add to enhance the flavor of the sauce?

For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed garlic, chopped onions, or even cooked bacon for a pop of savory goodness. A squeeze of lemon juice can also brighten the sauce, and fresh herbs, like basil or thyme, can bring in a fresh perspective!

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This Cottage Cheese Alfredo can be a fantastic meal-prep option. Store it in individual portions in the fridge and reheat as needed. Just be sure to add a splash of liquid when reheating to maintain that creamy texture.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! To make this recipe dairy-free, you can substitute the cottage cheese with a non-dairy alternative like cashew cream or a dairy-free cream cheese combined with nut milk. Use a vegan Parmesan cheese instead for that cheesy flavor. Enjoy!

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Cottage Cheese Alfredo

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Author: Danae
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Pasta
Method: Blending and Boiling
Cuisine: Italian

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Description

Cottage Cheese Alfredo delivers luxurious creaminess and delightful flavors in a lighter dish that’s perfect for quick dinners or comfort food cravings. This simple recipe combines cottage cheese with linguine for an easy, homemade pasta dish that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cottage cheese (4% fat)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup half and half
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound linguine
1/2 cup pasta water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Extra grated Parmesan for serving

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Instructions

Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions until just past al dente.
Blend cottage cheese, Parmesan, half and half, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Warm the blended sauce in a skillet over medium heat, stirring to avoid thickening.
Combine cooked pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired creaminess.
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

For a creamier sauce, use full-fat cottage cheese.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
Consider adding sautéed vegetables for extra flavor.