Description
This Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta is a delicious and wholesome meal that combines tender rigatoni with a smooth, creamy tomato sauce made from marinara and blended cottage cheese. Ground turkey adds protein, while fresh basil and parmesan finish the dish with vibrant flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz dry rigatoni pasta
Sauce & 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 (Rao’s recommended)
- ½ cup whole milk cottage cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes without letting it brown.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Break up the meat with a spatula and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: While the turkey cooks, combine the marinara sauce and cottage cheese in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a rich tomato-based sauce with added creaminess from the cottage cheese.
- Combine Sauce, Meat, and Pasta: Once the turkey is cooked, pour the blended sauce over the meat mixture in the skillet. Add the drained pasta and stir gently to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce and meat.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy cottage cheese pasta onto plates or bowls. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute rigatoni with penne, ziti, or your preferred pasta shape.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese and ground chicken or turkey breast.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or oregano can also be added for extra flavor.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, pulse the marinara and cottage cheese less in the blender.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
