Vodka Sauce with Cottage Cheese
Total Time
Prep: 20 min. Cook: 30 min.
Yield
6 servings
If you're looking for a way to add protein to your family's next pasta night, give this vodka sauce with cottage cheese a try.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole plum tomatoes, roughly chopped with their juices
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 package (16 ounces) uncooked short-cut pasta (e.g. penne or cavatappi)
- 3/4 cup 4% cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- Minced fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Directions
- Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until slightly rendered, 4-5 minutes. Add onion; cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic, red pepper flakes and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Add tomatoes, salt and vodka. Bring to a low boil; reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain.
- Add cottage cheese and 1/4 cup pasta water to a high-powered blender; puree until smooth. Add the sauce to the blender; puree until smooth; transfer back to the skillet.
- Add the hot cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the sauce; toss to coat. Thin the sauce with an additional 1/4 cup pasta water, as desired. To serve, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, as desired.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 420 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein.
My kids are not huge meat eaters, but they adore pasta in all shapes and forms. This vodka sauce with cottage cheese is a great way to sneak extra protein into their diet. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator
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