Home | Appetizers and Sides | Sauces And Spreads | Cottage Cheese Alfredo
byArman Liew
updated on Aug 12, 2024
16comments
5from 9 votes
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Mycottage cheese Alfredo saucerecipe is creamy and cheesy and packs in 15 grams of protein per serving. Ready in minutes, there’s NO heavy cream or butter!
Looking for more cottage cheese recipes? Try my high-protein pasta, cottage cheese dip, protein mac and cheese, and lasagna with cottage cheese next.
If you’re not cooking with cottage cheese, you’re missing out. Not only is it creamy and flavorful, but with the help of your blender, it’s the beginning of a perfect cheese sauce.
With a few Alfredo sauce staples, plus cottage cheese, you can have a velvety smooth and creamy sauce. It’ll change your pasta game forever!
Table of Contents
- Why I love this recipe
- Ingredients needed
- How to make cottage cheese Alfredo sauce
- Arman’s recipe tips
- Storage instructions
- More healthy sauces you’ll enjoy
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo (Recipe Card)
Why I love this recipe
- Simple ingredients. There’s cottage cheese, milk, cornstarch, and a handful of seasonings.
- Tastes like the real deal. I know some Alfredo snobs, and let’s just say they were impressed with my cottage cheese version.
- Healthy. Cottage cheese is super high in protein, low in carbs, and low in calories, especially if you use low-fat cottage cheese.
- Versatile. Traditional Alfredo is served over noodles, but I often steamed veggies for a healthy, protein-packed side dish.
Ingredients needed
- Cottage cheese. I prefer the texture of full-fat cottage cheese, but the low-fat or fat-free varieties both work wonderfully.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but use any milk you prefer.
- Cornstarch. To thicken the consistency of the sauce. Arrowroot powder also works.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. Just a pinch.
- Parmesan cheese. Try to use freshly grated parmesan cheese, as I find it melts the smoothest and has a better flavor.
- Italian seasoning. For flavor, of course!
How to make cottage cheese Alfredo sauce
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Blend. In a blender, blend the cottage cheese, milk and half the parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
Step 2- Thicken the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the cornstarch and a portion of the cottage cheese mixture to create a slurry. Gradually add the remaining cottage cheese.
Step 3- Simmer. Place the pan over medium heat and cook for 4-5 minutes. Once thickened, add the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Step 4- Add parmesan and serve. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining parmesan cheese. Toss through cooked pasta.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the serving size. This recipe makes enough sauce for one pound of pasta, enough to feed 4-6 people. To make 1-2 portions, cut the amount of sauce in half (or just make a really saucy pasta!).
- Use a food processor. If you don’t have a blender, a food processor will work, but you’ll want to blend it for a bit longer so it gets really smooth.
- Don’t overdo the cornstarch. It takes a few minutes for the cornstarch to take effect, so be patient and give it at least 5 minutes of simmering before adding more.
Variations
- Add garlic. Traditional Alfredo sauce is surprisingly mild in flavor, but a little sautéed garlic never hurts.
- Serve with protein. I’m a sucker for chicken Alfredo, but it works just as well with shrimp or salmon.
- Make it spicy. Add a dash of red pepper flakes.
- Garnish. Top the pasta with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
To freeze: Transfer leftover sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: Reheat the sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring often until warm.
More healthy sauces you’ll enjoy
- Pomodoro sauce
- Sugo sauce
- Keto spaghetti sauce
- Sun dried tomato pesto
- Or any of my healthy sauces
Cottage Cheese Alfredo
5 from 9 votes
My cottage cheese Alfredo sauce recipe is creamy and cheesy and packs in 30 grams of protein. Ready in minutes, there’s NO heavy cream or butter! Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 5 minutes mins
Total: 10 minutes mins
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Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese * See notes
- 1 cup milk I used non-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, half the parmesan cheese, and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and a small amount of the blended cottage cheese mixture to create a slurry. Gradually add the remaining cottage cheese mixture to the saucepan, whisking constantly.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook for 4-5 minutes or until it thickens. Once thick, add the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir through the remaining parmesan cheese. Toss through 8-10 ounces of any pasta of choice.
Notes
* While any cottage cheese will work, I prefer full-fat cottage cheese as it yields a richer and creamier flavor.
TO STORE: Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
TO FREEZE: Transfer leftover sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
REHEATING: Reheat the sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring often until warm.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 15gFat: 5gSodium: 802mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 131IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 267mgIron: 0.4mgNET CARBS: 4g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Arman Liew
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