Description
This Cottage Cheese Alfredo is a creamy, healthier twist on traditional Alfredo sauce, using low-fat cottage cheese to create a rich and velvety pasta dish. Tossed with baby spinach and seasoned with garlic and Parmesan, this comforting meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz. dry fettuccine
- Kosher salt, for boiling water
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Sauce
- 1 1/4 cups low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 oz. Parmesan cheese, shredded (about 1/3 cup packed)
- 2 small cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
Additional
- 3 oz. baby spinach
- Crushed red pepper flakes, for topping
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add kosher salt. Cook the fettuccine, stirring occasionally, until very al dente—about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil to the pasta and toss to coat, preventing sticking.
- Prepare the Alfredo sauce: While the pasta cooks, combine the cottage cheese, 2% milk, shredded Parmesan, finely chopped garlic, softened butter, all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a blender or food processor. Pulse until the mixture becomes completely smooth.
- Cook the sauce: Pour the blended sauce into a large skillet. Place the skillet over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook the sauce for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently with a heatproof spatula, until it thickens and becomes creamy. Add the baby spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Divide the coated pasta among individual bowls. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes to taste for a touch of heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using cottage cheese instead of heavy cream reduces fat and calories while adding protein.
- Make sure to blend the sauce until completely smooth to avoid lumps.
- Wilted spinach adds color and nutrition but can be substituted with other greens like kale.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling to pasta better.
- To make it vegetarian (if using vegetarian-friendly Parmesan), ensure the cheese does not contain animal rennet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Alfredo, Healthy Alfredo Sauce, Low Fat Pasta, Fettuccine Alfredo, Creamy Pasta Recipe
