Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce (Protein Pasta Recipe)

Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce combines the creamy indulgence of traditional Alfredo with a nutritious twist. Blending smooth cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, and fragrant garlic, this sauce delivers a velvety rich texture and incredible flavor without the guilt, elevating your pasta dishes to a whole new level of comfort.

When it comes to classic comfort foods, Alfredo sauce reigns supreme. But what if we told you there’s a healthier and equally delicious alternative? In this blog post, we’re diving into the world of Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce – a creamy, flavorful twist on the traditional recipe that adds a nutritious touch to your pasta dishes.

Alfredo sauce is beloved for its velvety texture and rich taste, but it often comes with a high calorie and fat content. Enter Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce – a lighter option that doesn’t sacrifice the comforting creaminess. 

By swapping out heavy cream and butter for cottage cheese, you’re not only reducing the calorie count but also adding a protein boost to your meal.

If you like this healthy alfredo sauce recipe you may like to pair them with my Air Fryer Tortilla Garlic Bread Recipe.

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN TRADITIONAL ALFREDO SAUCE?

Traditional Alfredo sauce typically consists of the following ingredients:

• Butter: The base of Alfredo sauce is butter, which adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is responsible for the creamy texture and decadence of Alfredo sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient that contributes a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Garlic: Minced or finely chopped garlic adds a fragrant and savory note to the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings enhance the flavor profile of the sauce.
• Optional Additions: Some variations of Alfredo sauce may include ingredients like nutmeg, fresh chopped parsley, or white pepper for additional depth of flavor.

The sauce is traditionally made by melting butter in a pan, adding minced garlic and heavy cream, and then stirring in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and forms a smooth sauce. It’s often seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. The end result is a rich, creamy, and indulgent sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta dishes.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE HOMEMADE ALFREDO SAUCE

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make the creamy sauce (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• Full-fat cottage cheese – alternatively you can use fat-free cottage cheese.
• Milk of choice – I recommend a regular 2% cow’s milk, however you can use almond milk, soy milk or cashew milk as well for less dairy.
• Parmesan cheese – can add other cheeses as well such as mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, etc.
• Garlic powder – can use fresh garlic cloves as well.
• Italian herbs – such as dried oregano, dried basil, or italian seasoning.
• Sea salt & black pepper
• Your favorite type of pasta – fettuccini noodles, egg noodles, spaghetti noodles, chickpea pasta, zucchini noodles, hearts of palm pasta, etc.
• Optional – cornstarch to thicken sauce, chicken, fresh parsley, unsalted butter, olive oil, etc.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. In a high-powered blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Set aside.
3. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Once cooked through, drain the cooked noodles.
4. In a medium saucepan add the cottage cheese, milk, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Cook over medium-low heat until everything is dissolved and it becomes a creamy pasta sauce. Taste and adjust the sauce.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan. Garnish with more parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Serve with cajun chicken if desired. Enjoy!

WHY THIS WILL BECOME YOUR NEW FAVORITE PASTA SAUCE

Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce offers the familiar comfort of traditional Alfredo while adding a nutritious twist. The cottage cheese brings a creamy consistency and a protein punch, making it a guilt-free way to enjoy a beloved comfort dish.

VARIATIONS AND TIPS

• Creamy Consistency: Adjust the sauce thickness by adding more or less chicken/vegetable broth until you reach your desired texture.
• Flavor Enhancements: Experiment with seasonings like crushed red pepper flakes, lemon zest, or a dash of white wine for a personalized touch.
• Veggie Boost: Incorporate sautéed or steamed vegetables like broccoli, peas, or spinach into your pasta for added nutrition and color.

HOW TO STORE

If you have leftovers of your delicious homemade Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce, here’s how you can store it to enjoy later:

1. Cooling Down: Allow the sauce to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to storage containers. This prevents condensation and helps maintain the sauce’s texture.
2. Airtight Containers: Transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container. Glass containers with tight-fitting lids or plastic containers designed for food storage work well. Make sure the container is clean and dry before adding the sauce.
3. Portioning: If you anticipate using the sauce in smaller quantities, consider portioning it into individual serving sizes before storing. This way, you can thaw only what you need without repeatedly exposing the entire batch to air.
4. Labeling: If you’re storing the sauce for more than a day, it’s a good idea to label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
5. Refrigeration: Place the airtight container in the refrigerator. Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
6. Reheating: When you’re ready to use the sauce, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low to medium heat. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and to prevent scorching. If the sauce thickens as it cools, you can add a splash of milk or broth while reheating to achieve the desired consistency.

CAN YOU TASTE THE COTTAGE CHEESE IN THE SAUCE?

No, the cottage cheese flavor is subtle and blends well with the other ingredients. The result is a creamy and flavorful Alfredo sauce without a prominent cottage cheese taste.

IS THE SAUCE GLUTEN FREE?

Yes, Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions.

CAN I USE THIS SAUCE IN OTHER DISHES?

Absolutely! Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce can be used as a creamy base for various dishes, such as casseroles, vegetable bakes, or even as a dip for breadsticks and vegetables.

IS THIS SAUCE SUITABLE FOR KIDS?

Yes, this sauce can be enjoyed by kids, especially those who love creamy pasta dishes. The subtle flavors and creamy texture make it appealing to a wide range of palates.

The Best Cottage Cheese Recipes!

• Edible Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
• Cottage Cheese Queso Dip
• Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
• High Protein Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
• Copycat Starbucks Egg White Bites
• Cottage Cheese Mac And Cheese
• Cottage Cheese Smoothie

IF YOU TRIED THIS EASY ALFREDO SAUCE PLEASE LEAVE IT A COMMENT IN THE COMMENT SECTION AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails