Cottage Cheese And Broccoli Pasta
A creamy and comforting pasta dish made with cottage cheese and fresh broccoli, perfect for a quick and nutritious meal.
Equipment
- Food processor To blend the cottage cheese sauce.
- Pan For warming the sauce and combining ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8.8 oz dry pasta
- 0.33 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 cups broccoli, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 17.6 oz cottage cheese 4% for creaminess
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley for topping, optional
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes for topping, optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, ensuring to salt the water generously. Once cooked, reserve ⅓ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest and set aside.
- Steam the broccoli until it's tender but still vibrant green, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer it immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain and set aside.
- In a food processor or high-powered blender, combine the olive oil, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, pressed garlic, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- In a pan over low heat, add the cottage cheese sauce. Make sure to keep the heat low to avoid curdling the cheese. Gradually stir in the reserved pasta water until everything is well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and steamed broccoli to the pan. Gently stir until all ingredients are fully coated in the creamy sauce, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired for a little heat.
Notes
Ensure the heat is low when warming the cottage cheese sauce to maintain a smooth texture. For added flavor, consider mixing in other vegetables or proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp.