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High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta With Herbs – Healthy & Delicious!

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This High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta With Herbs is a delightful dish that combines creamy cottage cheese with fresh herbs for a nutritious meal. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner, it’s packed with flavor and protein.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (about 225 grams) whole wheat or high-protein pasta (e.g., chickpea or lentil pasta)
  • 1 cup (about 240 grams) low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for brightness)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (for added freshness)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional, for added greens)

Instructions

  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt once the water is boiling, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat (about 2 minutes). The oil is ready when it shimmers slightly.
  4. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it is lightly golden. Be careful not to burn it, as it will become bitter.
  5. Once the pasta is done, drain it and reserve a cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the pan with the garlic and stir well.
  6. Now add the cottage cheese, fresh herbs, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is creamy. If it’s too thick, add some of the reserved cooking water.
  7. Finally, fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and spinach. Cook everything for another 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes are slightly warmed. The spinach should be bright green and tender.
  8. Serve the pasta warm and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Keywords: Avoid overcooking the pasta to maintain a pleasant texture. Use a large pan to mix the ingredients evenly without overflow. Experiment with the ratio of cottage cheese to herbs for desired flavor intensity. Fresh ingredients enhance both taste and nutrition.

Find it online: https://chefwatermelon.com/high-protein-quark-pasta-mit-krautern-gesund-lecker/