Description
This creamy tomato and cottage cheese sauce is a healthy twist on traditional tomato pasta sauce. Combining crushed tomatoes with protein-rich cottage cheese creates a light yet indulgently creamy sauce, perfect for a comforting and nutritious pasta meal. The sauce is subtly flavored with garlic, onion, and Italian herbs, making it a quick and easy recipe for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
- Cooked pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become soft and translucent, which should take about 5 minutes. This forms the flavorful base of your sauce.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and dried basil. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors and reduce slightly.
- Blend cottage cheese: While the tomato sauce simmers, blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy to avoid any lumps in your sauce.
- Combine and season the sauce: Stir the smooth cottage cheese into the tomato sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Heat through for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy tomato and cottage cheese sauce over your cooked pasta. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly and serve warm.
Notes
- Use low-fat cottage cheese for a lighter version.
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of milk or cream when blending the cottage cheese.
- Add chili flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Pair with any pasta shape you like; penne or fusilli works particularly well to hold the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy tomato sauce, cottage cheese pasta sauce, healthy pasta sauce, Italian tomato sauce, easy pasta sauce recipe, high protein pasta sauce
