Introduction

This high protein cottage cheese pasta sauce is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy a comforting meal. Combining creamy cottage cheese with savory turkey sausage and fresh herbs creates a rich sauce that pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

A large round black bowl filled with orecchiette pasta coated in a rich, creamy orange sauce, garnished with small pieces of chopped green herbs sprinkled evenly across the top. The bowl sits on a dark purple surface textured like stone, with fresh red vine tomatoes placed on the upper right side and scattered fresh herbs scattered around the bowl. To the left of the bowl, a light gray linen cloth is casually draped, adding a soft touch to the setting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

10 oz chickpea pasta (or your favorite high-protein pasta)
2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup tomato sauce (passata)
6-8 fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion (finely diced)
2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
3/4 lb turkey sausage (cut into bite-size pieces)
1/3 cup Parmesan (grated)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, place the cottage cheese, tomato sauce, and basil leaves in a blender and blend until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion and chopped garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 4: Add the turkey sausage pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
Step 5: Pour the cottage cheese sauce into the skillet with the sausage and heat through gently, stirring to combine.
Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together well. If the sauce seems too thick or dry, stir in some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Step 7: Stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 8: Serve the pasta immediately, topped with extra grated Parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the turkey sausage with sautéed mushrooms or your favorite plant-based meat alternative.
If you don’t have fresh basil, 1 teaspoon of dried basil or Italian seasoning can be used instead.
Use whole-milk cottage cheese for a creamier sauce or low-fat if you prefer to reduce calories.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the sausage for a subtle spicy kick.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving for best texture.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a single dark round pan filled with small round pasta shells, coated in a creamy orange sauce. The pasta is scattered with small fresh green herb leaves for garnish. In the blurred background, a cluster of bright red tomatoes on green stems rests on a white marbled surface. The textures show the pasta slightly glossy and saucy, with the herbs adding a fresh contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pasta instead of chickpea pasta?

Yes, regular pasta works well in this recipe. Chickpea pasta is used here to boost the protein content, but any pasta you prefer will taste great with this sauce.

Is it necessary to blend the cottage cheese with tomato sauce?

Blending the cottage cheese with tomato sauce helps create a smooth, creamy texture that coats the pasta nicely. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can skip the blender, but the sauce will be less creamy.