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Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

4.58 from 68 votes
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This Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is the most delicious creamy protein pasta sauce packed with a whopping 17 grams of protein per serving. If you love Alfredo sauce, this healthier version will hit the spot.

Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce served on spaghetti in a bowl.

I have shared many Alfredo sauce recipes, such as my Alfredo spaghetti squash casserole, my 3-Ingredient Alfredo Sauce, or my Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce. But Alfredo pasta sauces are often high in calories and fat and lack the proteins you need to feel full after a meal.

Adding cottage cheese to the sauce is simply amazing. The flavor, creaminess, and proteins are a winning trio.

What Is Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce?

A cottage cheese sauce is made from blended cottage cheese, milk, garlic, cornstarch, and Parmesan. It’s a creamy garlic sauce that tastes amazing in any pasta dish or replaces white sauce in lasagna recipes.

Ingredients and Substitutions

All you need to make a thick and creamy sauce from cottage cheese are:

  • Cottage Cheese – I recommend using plain full-fat cottage cheese for a creamier texture, but low-fat cottage cheese will work to cut down the calories of the sauce.
  • Milk of Choice – Skim milk, almond milk, or half-half, or even heavy cream for an ultra-creamy texture but this increases the calories and fat.
  • Parmesan Cheese – Or other hard, grated cheese.
  • Garlic – Fresh crushed garlic or powdered garlic.
  • Olive Oil – Extra-virgin olive oil is my favorite, but you can also use other types of oil.
  • Salt and Pepper – to taste.
  • Cornstarch or arrowroot flour – This is a must to thicken the sauce. While cottage cheese sauce looks thick and creamy when cold, it turns more watery after warming up. So you need a binding agent like cornstarch slurry to give the sauce a thicker texture.

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How To Make Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

Cottage cheese pasta sauce is one of these easy pasta sauces you can make in less than 15 minutes for a quick dinner.

  1. First, cook a packet of your favorite pasta following the packaging instruction for al-dente pasta. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. For the sauce, you need a blender or food processor to blend the cottage cheese and remove its curd texture.
  3. In the jug of a high-speed blender or bowl of your food processor, add cottage cheese, milk, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper and blend on medium-high speed until thick and creamy.
  4. Set it aside at room temperature.
  5. In a non-stick saucepan, over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add the crushed garlic and stir fry the garlic until fragrant.
  6. Pour the thick and creamy cottage cheese sauce.
  7. For now, the sauce looks rich and creamy, but the warmth of the pan will suddenly turn the sauce liquid and watery. This is normal, so you must add a thickener to give texture to the sauce.
  8. Reduce to low heat while preparing the slurry.
How to make Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce in a few pictures.

Thickening The Sauce

It’s now time to thicken the cottage cheese sauce.

  • Low-Carb Option – You can simply sprinkle a pinch (1/2 teaspoon) of guar gum over the sauce and whisk it to incorporate. This is a great low-carb option, but sometimes guar gum creates tiny lumps, so I prefer a cornstarch slurry.
  • Classic Cornstarch Slurry – Whisk the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan with the sauce and whisk gently to incorporate and thicken the sauce.

Keep cooking for a few minutes until the sauce is warm.

Flavor Variations

You can now add flavors to this pasta sauce if you like. I do enjoy a plain garlic creamy pasta sauce with no added ingredients, but feel free to toss in some of the ingredients below:

  • Extra Vegetables – stir in 1 cup of baby spinach leaves, stir-fried onion slices, roasted zucchini slices, or a few roasted tomatoes.
  • Extra Protein – Add peas, chickpeas, bacon bites, or cooked rotisserie chicken to turn it into a delicious chicken recipe.
  • Fresh Herbs – Serve with fresh basil or parsley.
  • Tomatoes – Use my roasted tomato sauce recipe to combine with this lovely creamy sauce.

What To Serve With Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

This cottage cheese pasta sauce is a delicious high-protein pasta sauce to serve over any pasta you like, including the cooked pasta type below:

  • Fettuccine or spaghetti
  • Penne
  • Farfalle

Or to use as a swap to white sauce in a lasagna recipe.

Wooden spoon stirring Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce in spaghetti.

Storage Instructions

Store the sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days, in an airtight container. Rewarm in a nonstick saucepan or in the microwave, in a microwave-safe bowl. If the sauce has been mixed with pasta, it will look like a block, thick like jelly.

Place it in a saucepan with a splash of water, cover, cook on low heat, and stir once in a while to loosen up the sauce. You can freeze cottage cheese pasta sauce in zip-lock bags, on its own, or as part of a pasta meal. Keep it in the freezer for up to one month and thaw in the fridge the day before.

Allergy Swaps

Below are some ingredients swap ideas if you need them:

  • Low-Fat – Feel free to use low-fat cottage cheese and unsweetened almond milk. Skip the olive oil and add the crushed garlic directly in the sauce or swap for a teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Low-Carb – Use 1/2 teaspoon of guar gum instead of cornstarch. See the instructions above on how to add it to the sauce. Serve over shirataki noodles.
  • Gluten-Free – The sauce has no gluten. Pick your favorite gluten-free pasta for the recipe, like rice pasta, buckwheat pasta, or edamame pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are my answers to your common questions about this pasta sauce recipe.

Will Cottage Cheese Melt?

No, cottage cheese doesn’t melt. It release water when warmed so it’s often recommended to bind with egg or cornstarch slurry in sauce.

How Can I Make Cottage Cheese Yummy?

Cottage cheese has no flavor. The best way to enjoy it is with salt, herbs, garlic, or spices. If you don’t like it’s curdy texture simply blend and use as a cold spread or in sauce

More Pasta Recipes

Below are some more pasta recipes for you to try:

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

If you enjoy making delicious recipes with cottage cheese, you’ll love these:

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This Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is the most delicious creamy protein pasta sauce packed with 17 g of proteins per serve. If you love Alfredo sauce, this healthier version hit the spot.This Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is the most delicious creamy protein pasta sauce packed with 17 g of proteins per serve. If you love Alfredo sauce, this healthier version hit the spot.

Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce

This Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is the most delicious creamy protein pasta sauce packed with 17 grams of protein per serving. If you love Alfredo sauce, this healthier version hit the spot.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 serving (1/2 cup)
Serving Size: 1 serving (1/2 cup sauce)
4.58 from 68 votes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta following the packaging instructions for al dente pasta. Drain, Set aside.
  • Add the cottage cheese, skim milk, and Parmesan to the jug of a high-speed blender or food processor.
  • Blend on high speed until creamy, thick, and smooth. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add olive oil and sautée the garlic until fragrant – about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture, and bring to a gentle simmer. The sauce will thin out very quickly and look as thin as water, and that's normal. Reduce to low heat.
  • In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water. Whisk in the warm sauce and cook until the cottage cheese sauce thickens.
  • Stir in the cooked pasta of choice and cook for a few extra minutes until warm and the pasta is coated with the sauce.
  • Serve with freshly chopped Parsley over any pasta you love.

Storage

  • Store for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. The sauce thickens in the fridge, and rewarm with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Freeze for up to one month and thaw in the refrigerator the day before.

Notes

Note 1: Feel free to use unsweetened almond milk or soy milk.
Note 2: You can use 1/2 teaspoon of guar gum. You don’t need to stir the guar gum in cold water. Sprinkle over the sauce and whisk until it gets thick.
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetashoneyrecipes
Nutrition1 serving (1/2 cup sauce)
Yield: 4 serving (1/2 cup)

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving (1/2 cup sauce)Calories: 177.2 kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 10 g (3%)Fiber: 0.1 gNet Carbs: 9.9 gProtein: 16.8 g (34%)Fat: 7.6 g (12%)Saturated Fat: 3.7 g (23%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4 gMonounsaturated Fat: 3 gCholesterol: 17.4 mg (6%)Sodium: 573.3 mg (25%)Potassium: 171.5 mg (5%)Sugar: 4.7 g (5%)Vitamin A: 207 IU (4%)Vitamin B12: 0.9 µg (15%)Vitamin C: 1.4 mg (2%)Vitamin D: 0.6 µg (4%)Calcium: 264.8 mg (26%)Iron: 0.3 mg (2%)Magnesium: 16.7 mg (4%)Zinc: 0.9 mg (6%)
Carine Claudepierre

About The Author

Carine Claudepierre

Hi, I'm Carine, the food blogger, author, recipe developer, published author of a cookbook, and founder of Sweet As Honey.

I have an Accredited Certificate in Nutrition and Wellness obtained in 2014 from Well College Global (formerly Cadence Health). I'm passionate about sharing all my easy and tasty recipes that are both delicious and healthy. My expertise in the field comes from my background in chemistry and years of following a keto low-carb diet. But I'm also well versed in vegetarian and vegan cooking since my husband is vegan.

I now eat a more balanced diet where I alternate between keto and a Mediterranean Diet

Cooking and Baking is my true passion. In fact, I only share a small portion of my recipes on Sweet As Honey. Most of them are eaten by my husband and my two kids before I have time to take any pictures!

All my recipes are at least triple tested to make sure they work and I take pride in keeping them as accurate as possible.

Browse all my recipes with my Recipe Index.

I hope that you too find the recipes you love on Sweet As Honey!

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    29 Thoughts On Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
  1. 5 stars
    So delicious! I doubled the recipe and it turned out perfect! This is my go to high protein cheese sauce for noddles or casseroles. I added two eggs and a dash of nutmeg! Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    This was amazing. I used whole milk and added fresh basil,red pepper flakes and shrimp. Will definitely make again.
    Patti S

  3. 5 stars
    Wow, really enjoyed this! Was somewhat skeptical but delighted with results. Did add more Parmesan cheese. Thanks so much!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this without the cornstarch. I added a half cup of asiago cheese along with the parmesan cheese. I also sautéed 6oz of fresh spinach and added that in. The sauce was perfect with Barilla protein penne pasta. The whole family loved it.

  5. 4 stars
    I love the idea of using cottage cheese. I used 3 large cloves of garlic but way too much garlic for us. We found the sauce bitter so next time I will only use 1 clove of garlic. I also didn’t have to use cornstarch as the sauce was already thick enough. Otherwise Delicious and will make again.

  6. 5 stars
    Recipe was easy and tasty. I didn’t have to do the cornstarch step, my sauce thickened while simmering. Did anyone else experience that? Maybe I put more parm in, not sure. But mine thickened on its own and still tasted delicious!

  7. 5 stars
    I made this tonight and put it on homemade ravioli. It’s now my new favorite sauce! Super easy to make, simple ingredients, and so tasty. Thank you.

  8. My gramma would make homemade wide noodles , cook them and then strain and add Cottage cheese
    I never thought to use it in Alfredo sauce . Sounds delicious

  9. 4 stars
    Really happy with this recipe. I’ll make it again but will prob cut back on the garlic a wee bit as it was too much for daughter. Can imagine this being fab in a lasagna and feel like it will take modifications well.

  10. Loved this! Made it for my very picky husband and he loved it as well. I mixed half and half and unsweetened almond milk and added some Italian spices. Can’t wait to share it with my daughter for her family.

  11. I was just wondering if I could mix cottage cheese with a pasta cassarole. Now I will definitely try this in it. Thank you so much for sharing.

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