Cottage Cheese Spinach Pasta (Printable)

A comforting dish with creamy cottage cheese sauce, fresh spinach, and garlic on al dente pasta.

# What you'll need:

→ 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)

# Method:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water following package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
02 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add spinach and cook stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
03 - Blend cottage cheese, cooked spinach and garlic, milk, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth and creamy.
04 - Return drained pasta to pot or skillet. Toss with creamy spinach sauce, adding reserved cooking water as needed for desired consistency.
05 - Plate immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan, freshly ground black pepper, and basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Protein-rich and creamy sauce
  • Easy and quick weeknight meal
02 -
  • Contains dairy and gluten unless gluten-free pasta is used
  • For richer sauce, add 1 tbsp cream cheese
03 -
  • Add pasta water gradually to ensure perfect sauce consistency
  • Use fresh baby spinach for best texture and flavor
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