Cottage Cheese Spinach Pasta (Print)

A comforting pasta with creamy cottage cheese sauce and fresh spinach, perfect for easy weeknights.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 1 cup full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese
03 - 3.5 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1/4 cup milk
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
10 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

→ Garnish

11 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Freshly ground black pepper
13 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Boil penne or fusilli in a large pot of salted water until al dente following package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
03 - Combine cottage cheese, sautéed spinach and garlic, milk, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
04 - Return drained pasta to pot or skillet. Pour sauce over pasta, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water incrementally to achieve preferred sauce consistency.
05 - Plate immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • Protein-rich creamy sauce
  • Easy vegetarian weeknight meal
02 -
  • The sauce can be blended ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free
03 -
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
  • Add cream cheese to sauce for extra richness
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