Protein Pasta Recipe

Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Pasta Recipe

• High in Protein – Each serving of this delicious pasta has 37 grams of protein!
• Filling and Creamy – The creamy sauce coats each noodle and is SO GOOD and because of the balance of carbs and proteins it will fuel and satisfy you for a long time!
• Easy and Fast – Your healthy meal is ready to eat in just 25 minutes. That’s exactly what I need on busy weeknight evenings!

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Healthy Protein Pasta Recipe

Cottage cheese is definitely having a moment right now! You all have loved my Cottage Cheese Pancakes and Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipes so much, and I KNOW you’ll love this cottage cheese recipe, too. Our family loves pasta, but in order to make sure we’re all getting the nutrients our bodies need, I usually add extra protein and veggies.

This easy sauce has all the protein and healthy greens you need to create a truly delicious, balanced, and satisfying meal. Trust me, this isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a wholesome, satisfying, and reliable option that you’ll turn to time and time again. This healthy high-protein pasta is a game-changer!

Ingredients in Creamy Protein Pasta with Cottage Cheese

I love when recipes use fewer ingredients and there are only 8 ingredients in this healthy and filling recipe! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Protein Pasta – Protein pastas are usually made with a type of legume and I have recently found this brand that tastes great and cooks well. There are several options for higher protein pastas made from black beans, chickpeas, and lentils so choose your favorite. Or use your favorite gluten-free pasta!
• Cottage Cheese – I used low-fat cottage cheese in this sauce recipe, but you can use whatever you prefer. Because the ingredients for the sauce are blended, it also doesn’t matter if it is small or large curd.
• Milk – The milk in this recipe helps thin out the sauce a little and blends the ingredients together smoothly. Use whatever you have on hand that is unflavored and unsweetened.
• Parmesan Cheese – You can freshly grate parmesan for this recipe or use storebought shredded or grated parmesan. If you grate your own, make sure you pack it down in the measuring cup so you get a full 1/3 cup of cheese. Feel free to add more for a cheesier sauce!
• Garlic – I love saving time by using the minced garlic in a jar, however you may want the punchy, strong flavor of fresh garlic in this sauce. I’ve tried it both ways and prefer it with the fresh garlic!
• Salt and Pepper – The fresh cracked black pepper takes the flavor of this sauce over-the-top! If you don’t have a pepper grinder, I love buying these jars that come with the grinder already attached.
• Chopped Spinach – Use regular spinach or baby spinach in this recipe, just make sure you chop it finely enough that it incorporates well into the sauce. Feel free to increase the amount or swap it for baby kale.

How to Make Protein Pasta

This recipe comes together in just 25 minutes! All you’ll need is a skillet and a blender. Here’s how to make healthy protein pasta:

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot, reserving some pasta water before draining.
2. Meanwhile, blend the sauce ingredients until they are smooth.
3. Pour the blended sauce into a non-stick skillet and warm over low heat.
4. Once it’s warm, add the spinach and stir until it is wilted.
5. Add the pasta water and cooked pasta to the skillet.
6. Turn off the heat and stir the pasta continuously while the sauce coats the pasta and thickens.
7. Top the pasta with more cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese, serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations for Cottage Cheese Pasta

Add Veggies – You could easily bulk up this recipe with the addition of vegetables. Here are some ideas of veggies to add.

• Broccoli – Cook fresh broccoli florets with the pasta, or add steamed broccoli to the sauce with the cooked pasta.
• Mushrooms – Sauté sliced mushrooms in the skillet before adding the blended sauce.
• Roasted Cherry Tomatoes – Either cook them in the skillet or roast them in the oven for 10 minutes before adding them to the sauce.
• Chopped Asparagus – Chop asparagus spears into 1/2 inch pieces and sauté briefly in the skillet before adding the blended ingredients.

Spice It Up – Add 1/2 -1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper to the skillet of sauce while it’s warming, or top the finished dish with a drizzle of chili onion crunch.

Sundried Tomatoes – Add chopped sundried tomatoes to the sauce, and drizzle some of the oil over the finished pasta.

Fresh Herbs – Parsley, chives, or fresh basil would be absolutely delicious on this cheesy pasta dish!

Marinara – You can either mix in the marinara into the sauce while it’s warming to create a creamy pink sauce, or add some a spoonful to the top of it when serving.

Fresh Squeezed Lemon – I LOVE the way this pasta tastes with a lemon twist! Add a little bit of fresh lemon juice or use this Lemon Pepper Seasoning – it’s SO good.

Grilled Chicken – This easy protein pasta is so good with grilled chicken mixed in or on the side.

How to Serve Protein Pasta

The recipe is for 4 full servings of the pasta, but it would also make a great side dish, easily serving 8. Here are some ideas of what to serve it with:

• Greek Chicken Kabobs w/ Tzatziki Sauce
• Baked Spinach Chicken Meatballs
• Basil Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
• Easy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Healthy Shrimp Scampi w/ Zucchini Noodles

More Healthy Pasta Recipes

• Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
• Taco Pasta Casserole
• Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad
• Vegan Pasta Bake
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Brie Pasta Recipe

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe

Protein Pasta Recipe

Protein Pasta recipe with 37g of protein! This healthy vegetarian meal is about to become your new weeknight hero. I've been making this pasta on busy weeknights and could not be more obsessed with the creamy, savory, garlicky flavor. Cottage cheese is the base of the creamy sauce, and the whole thing comes together in just 25 minutes. Even my kids love it!

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 432 kcal

Author: Christine McMichael

Equipment

• Non-Stick Skillet
• Blender

Ingredients

• ▢ 12 ounces protein pasta
• ▢ 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
• ▢ 1/2 cup skim milk
• ▢ 1/3 cup parmesan
• ▢ 1/2 Tablespoon minced garlic (or 2 garlic cloves, minced)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• ▢ 2 cups chopped spinach
• ▢ 1/4 cup pasta water

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
• In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, milk, cheese, and garlic and blend until smooth.
• Pour the blended sauce into a non-stick skillet and warm over low heat.
• Once it’s warm, add the spinach and stir until wilted while the pasta finishes cooking.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• Add the pasta water to the sauce, and then add the cooked pasta to the skillet.
• Turn off the heat and stir the pasta continuously in the sauce for 1-2 minutes allowing the sauce to coat the pasta and thicken. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
• Top the pasta with more cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese, serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storing

• Refrigerate – Allow the pasta to cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat – To reheat, add 1-2 Tablespoons of milk, water, or broth, then reheat slowly in the microwave, stirring frequently.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 cups | Calories: 432 kcal | Carbohydrates: 60 g | Protein: 37 g | Fat: 6 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 11 mg | Sodium: 1231 mg | Potassium: 674 mg | Fiber: 8 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 1584 IU | Vitamin C: 5 mg | Calcium: 260 mg | Iron: 2 mg

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