Creamy Cottage Cheese Tomato Basil Sauce Recipe
This Creamy Cottage Cheese Tomato Basil Sauce is a luscious, healthier alternative to traditional cream-based pasta sauces. Combining the tangy richness of full-fat cottage cheese with the bright flavors of fresh basil and seasoned tomatoes, this sauce is blended smooth for a velvety texture that’s perfect tossed with your favorite pasta or drizzled over roasted vegetables and grilled chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat, small curd cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (from boiling pasta)
Instructions
- Sauté the garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to develop a fragrant base for the sauce.
- Add tomatoes and seasoning: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with their juice. Add salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and dried oregano. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens slightly, concentrating the flavors.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer the tomato mixture to a blender. Add the full-fat cottage cheese, fresh basil leaves, and grated Parmesan cheese. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Adjust the texture: Return the blended sauce to the skillet. Stir in the reserved pasta water and gently warm the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes over low heat, just until heated through and silky in texture.
- Serve and enjoy: Toss the sauce with your favorite cooked pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or spaghetti, or use it as a flavorful topping for roasted vegetables or grilled chicken. Garnish with extra fresh basil and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use full-fat, small curd cottage cheese for the creamiest and richest sauce texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference or omit for a milder sauce.
- This sauce pairs beautifully with a variety of pastas, roasted vegetables, and proteins like chicken.
- For a smoother sauce, ensure thorough blending and warm gently on low heat to avoid curdling.
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Sauce, Tomato Basil Sauce, Creamy Pasta Sauce, Healthy Pasta Sauce, Gluten Free Sauce, Italian Sauce
