Description
A delicious creamy rigatoni pasta dish featuring a smooth cottage cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cooking pasta always feels like the beginning of something comforting, especially when you know a creamy sauce is waiting at the end. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, reserving some of the pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Blend until smooth and creamy. This step is where the magic happens, transforming simple cottage cheese into a silky sauce base.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. The aroma fills the kitchen quickly, setting the stage for the rest of the dish.
- Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the skillet and stir gently. Add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce, creating a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Add the drained rigatoni directly into the sauce, tossing until every piece is coated. The ridges of the pasta hold onto the creamy mixture, making each bite rich and satisfying.
- Finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat, and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- This dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
- Feel free to experiment with other herbs for garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg