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Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

4.9 from 74 reviews

This Best Cottage Cheese Pesto recipe offers a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional pesto by incorporating cottage cheese for added protein and smooth texture. Made with fresh basil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, blended with olive or avocado oil, this pesto is versatile and easy to prepare. Ideal as a pasta sauce, marinade, or salad dressing, it’s a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 to 1 cup fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
  • Salt (sea salt preferred)
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients: First, assemble all your ingredients: 1 cup cottage cheese, ½ to 1 cup fresh basil depending on your flavor preference, ¼ cup walnuts, ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional), 2 cloves garlic, ¼ to ½ cup olive oil or avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure to have your blender or food processor ready for use.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Blender: Start by adding 1 cup cottage cheese to the blender or food processor. Then add ½ to 1 cup fresh basil, ¼ cup walnuts, ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (if using), and 2 cloves garlic. Pour in ¼ to ½ cup olive or avocado oil, depending on the desired creaminess.
  3. Season and Blend: Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, preferably using sea salt. Blend until smooth, using a high-powered blender if available for best results. If too thick, gradually add more oil until the desired consistency is achieved.
  4. Store Your Pesto: Transfer the smooth pesto to a jar and seal tightly. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
  5. Enjoy Your Pesto: Use this versatile pesto as a sauce for pasta, a marinade for meats, or a salad dressing. Enjoy the rich, creamy, and flavorful addition to your meals!

Notes

  • Adjust garlic amount based on your tolerance for a milder or stronger flavor.
  • Use sea salt for better flavor, but regular salt can be substituted.
  • Walnuts can be substituted with pine nuts or cashews for variation.
  • For a vegan version, substitute cottage cheese and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
  • If pesto is too thick, add olive or avocado oil gradually to achieve preferred consistency.
  • Store pesto in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 5 days for best taste and safety.

Keywords: Cottage cheese pesto, creamy pesto sauce, easy pesto recipe, healthy pesto, basil pesto with cottage cheese