Fettuccine alfredo is the ultimate comfort pasta- creamy, cheesy, and impossible to resist. But let’s be honest, traditional Alfredo is a lot of cream and cheese, and not exactly what a nutritionist would high five you for. Enter the cottage cheese alfredo pasta. It’s all the flavor and indulgence you love, but with more protein, less fat, and a sneaky veggie boost. It’s basically a pasta hack miracle.
So, here’s the magic. Swapping in cottage cheese gives your sauce that velvety, cheesy goodness without all the heavy cream. Adding fresh spinach sneaks in some greens too. Toss it with al dente fettuccine noodles, finish with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and you’ve got a dinner that feels indulgent but is actually kind of healthy.
Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- 8 oz. dry fettuccine
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 oz. Parmesan, shredded
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 2 small cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 3 oz. baby spinach
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your fettuccine until very al dente, about a minute less than the package suggests. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then transfer the noodles to a large bowl. Once that’s done, drizzle with a little oil and toss to keep them from sticking.
Step 2
After that, in a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese, milk, Parmesan, garlic, butter, flour, and 1 teaspoon salt. Pulse until silky smooth. Pour the sauce into a large skillet and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently with a heatproof spatula. Cook until thickened, about 8–10 minutes, then add the spinach and stir until it’s beautifully wilted and vibrant.
Step 3
Add your al dente fettuccine to the skillet and toss in the sauce until every strand is luxuriously coated. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a little of that reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 4
Divide the creamy, cheesy pasta among bowls and sprinkle with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Serve immediately and enjoy your healthy, elevated take on a classic indulgence.
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