- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley
How to Make It
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Add cottage cheese, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper to a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add a little pasta water until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Toss the hot pasta with the sauce.
- Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.
Tip: Add the pasta water gradually. You want a silky sauce rather than a watery one.
2. Cottage Cheese Chicken Bake
This comforting chicken bake is a great option when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.
Combine cooked chicken with cottage cheese, shredded cheese, vegetables, herbs, and a simple sauce before baking until bubbling and golden.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup cooked broccoli
- ½ cup tomato or marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
Preparation
Mix the chicken, cottage cheese, broccoli, sauce, and seasonings in a baking dish.
Top with mozzarella and bake at 375°F (190°C) until hot and bubbling.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serve with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.
If you are building a weekly rotation of satisfying protein-focused dinners, explore our High Protein Chicken Dinner ideas for more easy family-friendly meals.
3. Cottage Cheese Lasagna
Lasagna is one of the most natural places to use cottage cheese.
Instead of relying entirely on ricotta, cottage cheese can be layered with pasta sheets, marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and ground beef or vegetables.
Simple Layering Method
Start with marinara sauce at the bottom of your baking dish.
Add:
- Lasagna noodles
- Cottage cheese mixture
- Ground beef or vegetables
- Mozzarella
- Marinara
Repeat the layers and finish with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake until the pasta is tender and the cheese is bubbling.
Allow the lasagna to rest before slicing so the layers have time to set.