Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

A viral, high-protein twist on classic fettuccine Alfredo — blended cottage cheese creates a silky, creamy sauce that's lighter than the original but just as indulgent-tasting. Ready in under 30 minutes and family-approved, this is the weeknight pasta upgrade everyone's talking about.

4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 20 min · Total 30 min

American · Italian · Dinner · Main Course

Main

  • 12 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
  • pasta of choice
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt for pasta water
  • 0.5 cup pasta cooking water reserved before draining; add more to loosen sauce
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Sauce

  • 2 cup full-fat cottage cheese
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg freshly grated or ground

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Blender
  • Skillet
  • Pot
  • Measuring Cups
  • Spatula
  • Pan
  • Tongs
  • Grater
  • Colander

Instructions

  1. Bring a large #[Pot] of water to a boil and add ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Kosher Salt]. Cook the @[Fettuccine Noodles] according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out at least ~[½ cup] of @[Pasta Cooking Water] and set aside. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, add the @[Cottage Cheese], grated @[Parmesan Cheese], @[Salt], @[Black Pepper], and @[Nutmeg] (if using) to a #[Blender]. Blend on high for ~[60–90 seconds] until completely smooth and creamy with no visible curds. Set aside.
  3. In a large #[Skillet] over ^[medium heat], melt the @[Butter]. Add the minced @[Garlic] and sauté for ~[1–2 minutes] until fragrant and just golden — do not let it brown. Reduce the heat to ^[medium-low], then pour in the blended @[Cottage Cheese] mixture. Stir well to combine with the @[Garlic] @[Butter]. Add ~[¼ cup] of the reserved @[Pasta Cooking Water] and stir until the sauce is smooth and gently simmering, about ~[2–3 minutes]. Add more @[Pasta Cooking Water] a splash at a time if the sauce seems too thick.
  4. Add the drained @[Fettuccine Noodles] directly to the #[Skillet] and toss well to coat every strand in the sauce. If needed, add a little more @[Pasta Cooking Water] to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust @[Salt] and @[Black Pepper]. Serve immediately, topped with extra @[Parmesan Cheese] and fresh @[Parsley].