Recipe: Super Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta (with a Cottage Cheese Protein Boost!)
A vegetarian pasta recipe that can be adapted to make it gluten-free and contain extra protein!
I’m an OG member of the cottage cheese cult (I’ve been snacking on it since I was a kid), so yes, we are absolutely adding cottage cheese to this pasta. Not only does it make it super creamy, but it adds a sneaky little protein boost too.
Please note: when I cook, I measure with my heart. This is more of a guide than precise recipe, but it is a forgiving recipe for beginners/novices in the kitchen!
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Cook time: ~45 minutes
(Don’t let the cooking time put you off, this is so simple. Most of the time is just roasting.)
Ingredients
Olive oil
Herbs and spices: mixed Italian herbs, extra oregano, paprika, Vegeta seasoning (optional but adds umami), salt and pepper
6-8 ripe tomatoes (I used 6 because that’s what I had, but honestly, 8-10 would give a deeper tomato flavour)
Tomato paste
Pasta of your choice (I used gluten-free pasta, but if that’s not your struggle, please go and enjoy regular pasta)
~1 cup cottage cheese (I used half a container, because that’s all I had left lol.)
~1 cup ricotta
1 head of garlic
Fresh basil
Parmesan
Fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C / 390°F.
Get a pot of salted water boiling on the stove for your pasta.
Dice your tomatoes and toss them into a roasting pan. Cut the top off a head of garlic and throw that in too. Drizzle with olive oil, then season generously with Italian herbs, extra oregano, paprika, Vegeta (if using), salt, and pepper.
Roast for 30–40 minutes, or until your kitchen smells amazing. If you’re short on time, bump the heat a bit and roast for 20 minutes, then broil for 5 (but if you’ve got time, the slow roast gives way more flavour).
While that’s roasting, cook your pasta. I usually subtract a minute or two from the packet instructions to keep it al dente. It’ll finish cooking in the sauce anyway.
Don’t forget to scoop out a mug of pasta water before draining!
Once your tomatoes and garlic are done, transfer everything to a big heatproof bowl. Squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins.
Add in a splash of pasta water, your cottage cheese, ricotta, fresh basil, and a good squeeze of tomato paste.
For reference, I used low-fat cottage cheese (because that’s what I had) and ricotta to balance the texture and make it extra creamy.
Blend it up with an immersion blender until smooth. Add more pasta water a little at a time to get your perfect sauce consistency.
If you're using a regular blender, just be careful - hot ingredients can build pressure fast. This is how I once blew a creamy soup all over my kitchen even though my husband kept yelling not to do it 🙃
Stir the sauce through your cooked pasta. Use a pasta ladle to scoop out your desired amount onto a plate or pasta dish. Top with grated parmesan, black pepper, and fresh basil.
Eat and enjoy!
Protein Content
If you’re using low-fat cottage cheese (28g P) and part-skim ricotta (24g P), you’re looking at roughly:
~52g protein total from the cheeses alone in your pasta. This recipe makes about 4 servings, so that’s approximately 13g of protein per serving. If you’re looking to increase the protein content, my suggestions:
Use another cup of cottage cheese, and more tomato paste to ensure the flavour isn’t completely diluted.
Top off with a lean, grilled meat or slices of tofu.
Separately cook ground beef/turkey/tofu/tempeh/meat replacement in some onion and throw that in with your sauce.
Have a protein smoothie for dessert.
A few notes:
This recipe is very forgiving. If you’re new to cooking or just not a fan of strict measurements, you’ll be fine. Taste as you go, play with the seasonings, and don’t stress if you’re short an ingredient. Want more garlic? Add it. Want to throw in some spinach or roast red pepper? Go wild.
Also, as someone who lifts and runs and generally tries to eat to feel good, this is one of my go-to “actually satisfying” vegetarian meals. It’s got protein, carbs, flavour, and comfort - all of the good stuff.
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If you make this, tag me on Instagram [@risewithlana]. I’d love to see your versions and add ons you decided to include!