Description
This Spicy Cottage Cheese Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines penne pasta with a smooth blend of marinara sauce, low-fat cottage cheese, Parmesan, and Calabrian chile oil for a spicy kick. It’s a quick and easy meal perfect for those seeking a comforting pasta with a nutritious twist.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 lb. penne pasta
For the Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups store-bought or homemade marinara sauce
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon Calabrian chile oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Prepare the sauce: While the pasta cooks, combine the marinara sauce, low-fat cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, and Calabrian chile oil in a blender. Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the blended sauce along with 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over low heat, adding more pasta water as needed, until the pasta is fully coated and the sauce is warmed through.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among serving bowls and top each with additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps to loosen the sauce and make it cling perfectly to the pasta.
- Calabrian chile oil can be substituted with chili flakes or another spicy chili oil for different spice levels.
- Use low-fat cottage cheese to keep the dish creamy yet light and healthier.
- This dish can be made with gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten-free diets.
- For a richer flavor, add fresh basil or parsley as garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spicy pasta, cottage cheese pasta, penne pasta recipe, easy Italian pasta, creamy pasta, healthy pasta recipes
