13 Easy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce Recipes

Looking for quick, easy, and flavorful pasta sauces that the whole family will love? These 13 cottage cheese pasta sauce recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you crave something comforting yet nutritious.

Packed with creamy textures and bold flavors, these recipes showcase the versatility of cottage cheese as the ultimate secret ingredient.

From tangy tomato sauces to rich and herby blends, there’s something here for everyone.

Let’s dive in!

1. Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Sauce

This sauce blends the tangy sweetness of tomatoes with the velvety creaminess of cottage cheese, creating a family favorite that pairs perfectly with spaghetti or penne.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, and chili flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Blend cottage cheese until smooth, then stir it into the tomato mixture.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Toss with cooked pasta, reserving some pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.

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2. Garlic Herb Cottage Cheese Alfredo

This healthy twist on classic Alfredo sauce combines creamy cottage cheese with fragrant garlic and fresh herbs for a lighter yet indulgent dish.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ¼ cup milk (or as needed)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add garlic. Sauté until golden and aromatic.
2. Blend cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and milk until smooth.
3. Pour the blended mixture into the saucepan and add oregano and thyme.
4. Stir continuously over low heat, adding more milk if the sauce thickens too much.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Toss with fettuccine or your favorite pasta, and garnish with parsley.

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3. Spinach and Cottage Cheese Pesto Sauce

A nutritious blend of spinach, basil, and cottage cheese makes this pesto sauce light, creamy, and bursting with fresh flavor.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsp pine nuts or walnuts

Instructions:

1. Add spinach, basil, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
2. Add cottage cheese and blend again until creamy.
3. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
4. Toss with cooked pasta, using reserved pasta water to thin the sauce as needed.
5. Top with extra Parmesan or nuts for added crunch.

4. Lemon Cottage Cheese Sauce

Bright, zesty, and irresistibly creamy, this lemon cottage cheese sauce is perfect for spring or summer meals. It pairs wonderfully with linguine or angel hair pasta.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Blend cottage cheese with lemon juice and zest until smooth.
3. Add the blended mixture to the skillet and stir in dried thyme.
4. Cook on low heat for 2–3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Toss with pasta and garnish with fresh parsley for a refreshing finish.

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5. Cottage Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Sweet roasted red peppers combine with creamy cottage cheese to create a rich, smoky sauce that’s a crowd-pleaser.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 large roasted red peppers (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ cup vegetable broth (or as needed)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend roasted red peppers, cottage cheese, garlic, and smoked paprika until smooth.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and pour in the blended mixture.
3. Add vegetable broth to adjust the consistency, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Simmer for 3–4 minutes. Toss with pasta and top with fresh basil.

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6. Creamy Mushroom and Cottage Cheese Sauce

Earthy mushrooms and creamy cottage cheese combine to make a comforting and savory sauce that’s perfect for cozy dinners.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms (button, cremini, or portobello)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onions until translucent.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Blend cottage cheese until smooth and stir into the skillet with the vegetable broth.
4. Add dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
5. Toss with pasta and garnish with parsley before serving.

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7. Cottage Cheese and Basil Marinara

A simple yet flavorful marinara sauce gets a creamy upgrade with the addition of cottage cheese. This one’s a hit with kids and adults alike!

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and pour in the marinara sauce. Add dried basil and garlic powder.
2. Blend cottage cheese until smooth and stir it into the marinara sauce.
3. Simmer on low heat for 3–4 minutes, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.
4. Toss with cooked pasta and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

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8. Spicy Cottage Cheese Arrabbiata

This fiery sauce combines the bold flavors of Arrabbiata with the creamy richness of cottage cheese, perfect for those who love a spicy kick.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic until golden.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, chili flakes, and oregano. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Blend cottage cheese until smooth and stir it into the tomato mixture.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
5. Toss with pasta and garnish with fresh basil.

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9. Cottage Cheese Vodka Sauce

This lighter take on a classic vodka sauce uses cottage cheese for creaminess without the heaviness. It’s a perfect match for rigatoni or penne.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp vodka
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, vodka, and dried basil. Simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
3. Blend cottage cheese until smooth and stir into the sauce.
4. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Toss with pasta and top with grated Parmesan.

10. Cottage Cheese Carbonara

This lighter version of carbonara swaps heavy cream with cottage cheese, keeping the dish creamy and satisfying without the guilt.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (or pancetta)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend cottage cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese until smooth. Set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add crumbled bacon and stir for 1–2 minutes.
3. Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the cottage cheese mixture. Stir until creamy.
4. Toss with hot, freshly cooked pasta, letting the heat cook the sauce gently.
5. Season with salt and lots of black pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

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11. Cottage Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

Tangy sun-dried tomatoes paired with creamy cottage cheese make this sauce rich and decadent, perfect for fettuccine or pappardelle.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ cup vegetable broth (or as needed)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Blend the sautéed mixture with cottage cheese until smooth, adding vegetable broth to adjust consistency.
3. Return the sauce to the skillet, add dried basil, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Toss with cooked pasta, garnish with Parmesan, and serve warm.

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12. Cottage Cheese and Broccoli Alfredo

This healthy spin on Alfredo sauce incorporates nutrient-packed broccoli for a creamy, cheesy, and wholesome dish.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup milk (or as needed)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend steamed broccoli, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and milk until smooth.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until golden.
3. Pour the blended mixture into the skillet and stir over low heat for 3–4 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with pasta and garnish with parsley before serving.

13. Cottage Cheese and Pumpkin Sage Sauce

This cozy and flavorful sauce combines creamy cottage cheese with the earthy sweetness of pumpkin and the aromatic touch of sage, making it perfect for fall-inspired meals.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried sage (or 3–4 fresh sage leaves)
• ½ cup vegetable broth (or as needed)
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan and toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic and sage until fragrant.
2. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vegetable broth, then simmer for 2–3 minutes.
3. Blend the cottage cheese until smooth and add it to the skillet. Stir to combine.
4. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, adjusting the consistency with more broth if needed.
5. Toss with cooked pasta and garnish with Parmesan and toasted pumpkin seeds for a delightful crunch.

With these 13 delicious and easy cottage cheese pasta sauce recipes, mealtime just got a whole lot easier and tastier!

Whether you’re in the mood for something rich and creamy or light and fresh, there’s a recipe here for every craving.

Why not pick one to try tonight?

Let us know your favorite in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this list with fellow pasta lovers!