This Cottage Cheese Tomato Pasta is a simple and tasty dish. It features creamy cottage cheese mixed with fresh tomatoes and pasta. Plus, it’s quick to whip up for any meal!
Honestly, who knew cottage cheese could be this exciting? It’s a fun twist that makes pasta night feel special. I love serving it with a sprinkle of basil for extra flavor! 🍝
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pasta: Rigatoni works well due to its shape holding the sauce nicely, but any tubular pasta like penne or ziti is a great substitute. For a gluten-free option, try using rice or lentil pasta!
Cottage Cheese: I recommend using small or medium curd cottage cheese for a creamy texture. If you prefer, you can substitute it with ricotta cheese for a smoother taste or Greek yogurt for a tangy kick.
Tomatoes: Fresh ripe tomatoes are ideal, but canned diced tomatoes can work in a pinch. Just reduce the cooking time since they’re already soft. You can also use grape or cherry tomatoes for a sweeter flavor!
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds wonderful flavor, but you can use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano as alternatives. Nutritional yeast is also great for a dairy-free option.
Basil: Fresh basil is best for its fragrance. If you don’t have fresh, dried basil can be used in half the amount, but fresh is definitely preferred for this recipe!
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Sauce Consistency?
Getting the right sauce consistency is key to making this dish enjoyable! Here are my tips:
- When cooking the tomatoes, let them soften and break down fully to create a light sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency. This also helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Incorporating the cottage cheese over low heat allows it to warm up without curdling, giving you that creamy texture.
Cottage Cheese Tomato Pasta
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz rigatoni or other tubular pasta
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh cottage cheese (small or medium curd)
- 2 cups fresh ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Red chili flakes (optional), to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful dish takes about 20 minutes in total. You’ll spend around 10 minutes cooking the pasta and making the sauce, with another 10 minutes for combining and garnishing. Perfect for a quick weekday dinner!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Once done, drain the pasta but remember to save about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use!
2. Sauté the Garlic:
While your pasta is cooking, grab a large skillet and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the minced garlic and sauté it for about 1 minute, until you can smell its delightful fragrance. Just be careful not to let it burn!
3. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
Add the diced fresh tomatoes into the skillet with the sautéed garlic. Let this cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the tomatoes to break down into a light sauce—this is what will make your pasta shine!
4. Combine the Cottage Cheese:
Lower the heat and stir in the cottage cheese, allowing it to warm through and blend into the sauce. If you find the sauce too thick, pour in a bit of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
5. Final Touches:
Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Go ahead and season with salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes if desired. Give everything a good mix until combined.
6. Toss the Pasta:
Now add the drained rigatoni to your skillet. Gently toss the pasta until every piece is coated in that delicious cottage cheese tomato sauce. Yum!
7. Serve and Garnish:
Transfer your pasta to serving plates. Don’t forget to garnish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves on top for that lovely presentation!
8. Enjoy Your Meal!
Serve this warm and enjoy your creamy, savory Cottage Cheese Tomato Pasta with family and friends!
This dish combines the creamy texture of cottage cheese with the fresh acidity of tomatoes, complemented by fragrant basil and Parmesan for a light yet satisfying pasta meal. Perfect for any occasion!
Can I Use Different Types of Pasta?
Absolutely! While rigatoni is a great choice, you can easily swap it for other tubular pastas like penne or ziti. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try using rice or lentil-based pasta!
Can I Substitute Cottage Cheese?
Yes, you can! Ricotta cheese will give a creamier texture, or you can use Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor. Just ensure that any substitute you choose matches your taste preference!
What Should I Do If the Sauce is Too Thick?
If your sauce turns out thick, don’t worry! Just add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water gradually until you achieve your desired consistency. This will help loosen it while keeping the flavors intact.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a little splash of water or olive oil if it feels dry.
