This easy blended cottage cheese fettuccini alfredo recipe tastes almost like the fettuccine alfredo classic. Instead, it is a lower-calorie and lower-fat version since blended cottage cheese is used rather than heavy cream and butter. It's a protein-rich spin on the traditional alfredo sauce. The recipe is so easy to make and is high in protein.
Alfredo sauce is one of my favorite pasta sauces. I usually only make it on rare occasions though due to its high butter, cream, and cheese content. I don't feel so guilty when I make this blended cottage cheese fettuccine alfredo recipe. This sauce pairs perfectly with any pasta and veggies, making it a versatile dinner option.
What I love about this cottage cheese alfredo is its simplicity. You don't need fancy ingredients to make this cottage cheese pasta sauce. This may become one of your favorite high-protein, healthy family dinner recipes.
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Ingredient List
- Cottage cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fettuccine
Ingredient Notes
Cottage cheese: This forms the foundation of the Alfredo-inspired sauce, offering a velvety texture without relying on heavy cream, as typically found in traditional Alfredo sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the Alfredo sauce. Parmesan cheese adds a rich and savory flavor to the alfredo sauce.
Butter: The butter adds additional flavor and helps bind the sauce together. Make sure that the butter is room temperature before blending.
Garlic: The slight garlic flavor is traditional in alfredo sauces.
Salt & Pepper: These basic seasonings help add additional flavor.
Fettuccine: You can't have fettuccine alfredo without fettuccine noodles! Fettuccine noodles are long, flat pasta noodles, similar in shape to linguine but wider.
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a generously sized pot of water to a boil. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully add the fettuccine noodles or your preferred pasta variety into the pot. Allow the noodles to cook until they reach the ideal texture known as "al dente," typically around 7 to 9 minutes. (Always check the specific noodle package for the recommended cooking time though!)
- As the pasta is cooking, gather your ingredients: cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add them to a blender. Blend the ingredients for a minimum of 2 minutes until a smooth, blended consistency is achieved.
- Before draining the pasta, save about ½ cup of the water. Put the noodles back in the pot.
- Pour the saved pasta water and Alfredo sauce over the noodles. Gently mix everything together and slowly warm it on low heat. Make sure to not overheat the sauce!
- Finally, sprinkle some grated Parmesan, salt, pepper, and parsley on top. Enjoy the cottage cheese fettuccine alfredo.
📖 Recipe
Cottage Cheese Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
- 1 garlic clove (peeled)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound fettuccine
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the fettuccine noodles, or other pasta of choice, and cook until al dente, about 7-9 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender. Blend for at least 2 minutes.
- Before straining the pasta, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Return the strained noodles to the pot.
- Pour the reserved pasta water and Alfredo sauce over the fettuccine noodles and toss together. Warm the mixture over low heat until the pasta reaches the desired temperature.
- Top with grated parmesan, salt & pepper, and parsley.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- For a creamier texture, opt for 4% cottage cheese instead of low-fat. Low-fat kinds contain too much water and less fat, resulting in a less rich sauce.
- Do not overcook the pasta. It should be al dente. That means it is fully cooked but still has a slight firmness or resistance when bitten into.
- Save some pasta water before draining. Its starch helps blend the sauce better with the pasta.
- Adjust the cottage cheese alfredo sauce thickness by adding reserved pasta water gradually.
- Important! Warm the sauce gently on low heat to avoid separation or curdling.
Substitutions & Additions
- Use different types of pasta noodles. You can use various pasta noodles instead of fettuccine in this cottage cheese fettuccine alfredo recipe. Try linguine, tagliatelle, or even spaghetti. These noodles offer different textures but still pair well with the creamy blended cottage cheese alfredo sauce. This provides versatility and allows you to adapt the healthy pasta dish to your noodle preference.
- Add grilled or rotisserie chicken. Grilled chicken adds a savory, protein-rich element to fettuccine alfredo, enhancing both texture and flavor. It provides a satisfying contrast to the creamy sauce, making the dish more filling and balanced. I find that it's easiest to use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to quickly add additional protein to this pasta dish.
- Add vegetables. Adding vegetables to cottage cheese fettuccine alfredo has several benefits. It boosts the dish's nutrition by adding essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Secondly, the veggies enhance the dish's appearance with their vibrant colors and varied textures. Vegetables help you feel fuller for longer, potentially reducing overall calorie intake. Choose your favorite vegetables to tailor the dish to your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cottage cheese aflredo sauce separating or curdling?
Warm the sauce gently on low heat, stirring constantly, to avoid separation or curdling. Heating the sauce too quickly or at high temperatures can cause the fats and proteins in the sauce to separate, resulting in an undesirable texture. By gently warming the sauce and stirring continuously, you ensure that it heats evenly and remains smooth and creamy.
How can I make fettuccine alfredo healthier?
To make fettuccine alfredo healthier, try using cottage cheese instead of heavy cream and butter. This change lowers the fat and calories in the dish. You can also use whole wheat pasta for more fiber and nutrients. Adding veggies like broccoli or lean protein like grilled chicken can increase the nutritional content as well.
My Review
I was pleasantly surprised about how closely this resembles traditional fettuccine alfredo sauce. It's easy to whip up and doesn't take much time. I personally opt for whole wheat noodles to increase fiber content and to make the pasta dish even healthier. My three kids loved this dish!
Lauren
This cottage cheese alfredo recipe is one of my go-to weeknight meals. I love that it is high in protein!