Cottage Cheese Lemon Pasta Sauce (Printable)

Tangy cottage cheese and lemon blend creamy flavor onto pasta. Light, fresh, and ready in just 20 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup cottage cheese (preferably whole milk)
02 - 1/4 cup milk or pasta cooking water
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - Juice of 1 lemon
06 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

→ For Serving

11 - 14 ounces cooked pasta of choice
12 - Extra lemon zest for garnish
13 - Extra grated Parmesan for garnish
14 - Chopped fresh herbs for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Place cottage cheese, milk or pasta cooking water, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper into a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
02 - Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as preferred.
03 - Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and warm over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Ensure the sauce is just heated through; do not allow it to boil.
04 - Pour the warmed sauce over freshly cooked pasta. Toss to evenly coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water for creaminess if needed.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra lemon zest, grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and chopped herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This sauce is secretly packed with protein and comes together faster than most pasta can cook.
  • The fresh lemon and herbs hit all the right notes between comfort and zing—without leaving you feeling weighed down.
02 -
  • Overheating the sauce can make it grainy, so always heat it gently and watch carefully.
  • Tossing the pasta and sauce together while both are still piping hot helps everything cling beautifully, so don’t hesitate on this step.
03 -
  • Don’t drain your pasta too thoroughly—clinging water helps the sauce coat every noodle.
  • For extra zest, add more lemon right before serving to keep flavors bright and lively.
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