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Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 69 reviews

This Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender pasta tossed in a smooth and creamy sauce made from marinara and cottage cheese, combined with savory ground turkey and aromatic sautéed onions and garlic. Finished with fresh basil and parmesan, this recipe offers a nutritious and flavorful twist on classic pasta dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz dry pasta of choice (rigatoni recommended)

Sauce and Meat

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (recommend Rao’s marinara sauce)
  • ½ cup whole milk cottage cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnishes

  • Fresh basil (for serving)
  • Fresh parmesan (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until fragrant and slightly translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes to release its aroma.
  3. Cook ground turkey: Add ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break the meat apart with a spatula or wooden spoon and cook for 6-8 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
  4. Prepare creamy sauce: While the turkey cooks, combine the marinara sauce and cottage cheese in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a luscious sauce base.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Once the turkey is fully cooked, pour the blended sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy sauce and meat mixture.
  6. Serve: Spoon the pasta onto plates or into bowls. Garnish with fresh grated parmesan and torn fresh basil leaves for added brightness and flavor.

Notes

  • Using whole milk cottage cheese adds richness and creaminess to the sauce without needing heavy cream.
  • Rao’s marinara sauce is recommended for its robust flavor, but any high-quality marinara will work.
  • You can substitute ground beef or Italian sausage for the ground turkey if desired.
  • Blend the sauce carefully to ensure it becomes smooth and creamy, enhancing the texture of the dish.
  • Fresh basil and parmesan elevate the dish with freshness and sharp, savory notes.

Keywords: creamy pasta, cottage cheese pasta, ground turkey pasta, easy dinner, Italian pasta recipe, creamy marinara sauce

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/creamy-cottage-cheese-pasta-recipe/