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Rich, creamy, and packed with protein, this Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce puts a wholesome spin on the classic pasta sauce. It’s quick and easy to make and doesn’t skimp on the rich, garlicky flavors you love!
I love a big bowl of fettuccine alfredo but if there’s a way to make this delicious and indulgent meal a little healthier, I’m going to do it.
Usually, I would swap the classic sauce with my healthy alfredo sauce but the extra protein in this Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce makes it a real winner. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s just as rich, garlicky, and creamy as traditional alfredo sauce!
Making homemade alfredo sauce with cottage cheese couldn’t be easier. Just blend the simple ingredients together, heat up the sauce on the stove, and enjoy. It’s the best creamy pasta sauce, tastes amazing in casseroles or with roasted vegetables, and makes for a luxurious pizza sauce. I know you’ll love experimenting with it just as much as I do!
Recipe features
- Cottage cheese is naturally high in protein and low in fat and calories, making this version a lighter and healthier alternative to traditional alfredo sauce.
- Like my healthy alfredo sauce, it’s just as indulgent as the classic!
- Ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes.
- The perfect creamy sauce for pasta, casseroles, pizza, and so much more!
Ingredients
Milk – I recommend using 2% or whole milk, but full-fat dairy-free milk, like soy milk, almond milk, or canned coconut milk, may also work.
Cottage cheese – I love adding cottage cheese to all kinds of recipes, like creamy dips and breakfast bowls, but it also works surprisingly well in homemade alfredo sauce. Once blended with the other ingredients, it gives the sauce a slight tangy flavor, a boost of protein, and a rich, velvety texture, all without any extra calories. Opt for full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest results.
Cornstarch – It helps thicken the sauce. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can swap it with arrowroot powder or tapioca starch.
Seasonings – A blend of garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano brings depth and classic Italian-inspired flavor to the sauce. If you really love garlic, feel free to replace the garlic powder with 1 or 2 finely minced or roasted garlic cloves for a deeper, more robust flavor.
Parmesan – The sauce just wouldn’t be as cheesy without the parmesan! Keep in mind that freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-grated cheese, so opt for a block of cheese if you can.
Butter – Butter is heated with the sauce to help emulsify it while adding another layer of richness.
Instructions
Step 1: Blend. Add all of the alfredo sauce ingredients (except the butter) to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
Step 2: Thicken the sauce. Pour the sauce into a saucepan along with the butter. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking continuously, until it reaches a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and continue whisking until it thickens.
Step 3: Season and serve. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta or serve it anywhere you like. Enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- When heating the sauce, maintain the heat over medium-low to low heat. Dairy-based sauces can easily separate or curdle if they’re heated too high. If it starts to separate, immediately remove the pan from the heat and whisk vigorously to bring it back together.
- To thicken the sauce, cook it for an extra minute or two on low heat. If it becomes too thick, whisk in a splash of milk to loosen it up.
- Experiment with the flavors using a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or ground nutmeg for warmth (a classic in alfredo sauce).
Tip
The cottage cheese in alfredo sauce can give it a grainy texture if it isn’t blended well enough. For the smoothest sauce, don’t be afraid to blend it at high speed for a full 30 to 60 seconds.
Ways to use cottage cheese alfredo sauce
You can use alfredo sauce made with cottage cheese anywhere you would use regular alfredo sauce or my healthy alfredo sauce. I personally love it on a chicken alfredo pizza or with healthy chicken alfredo and Cajun shrimp alfredo!
It’s one of the best creamy pasta sauces to toss with fettuccine, spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or any pasta shape you love. You also can’t go wrong with adding it to this broccoli cauliflower casserole, this cheesy cauliflower bake, or baked mac and cheese.
If pasta isn’t your thing, drizzle it over roasted red potatoes, grilled or baked chicken, or shrimp instead. It’s even as great as a dip with pizza and crusty garlic bread!
Can I use low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese in this recipe?
I recommend using full-fat cottage cheese for the richest texture and flavor. However, low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese will still work. The sauce will be slightly less creamy but will still taste delicious.
What can I do if my alfredo sauce is too salty?
If your cottage cheese alfredo sauce turns out to be too salty, try adding a splash of milk or water to dilute the saltiness. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also help balance the flavor.
Storage
Refrigerator: Once the leftover sauce cools to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: It also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Gently heat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until it’s smooth and heated through. You can add a splash of milk or water if it has thickened too much.
More cottage cheese recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce
Rich, creamy, and packed with protein, this Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce puts a wholesome spin on the classic pasta sauce. It’s quick and easy to make and doesn’t skimp on the rich, garlicky flavors you love!
Servings: cups
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Instructions
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Add all ingredients EXCEPT the butter to a blender and blend until smooth.
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Pour mixture to a saucepan, along with the butter, and whisk over medium-low heat until a simmer is reached. Then turn the heat to low and stir while it thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Add more seasonings if desired.
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Remove from the heat and serve over your favorite pasta. Enjoy!
Notes
*Calories are per serving and are an estimation.
Nutrition
Serving: 4g | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 378mg | Potassium: 125mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 168IU | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 0.1mg
