This high protein cottage cheese pasta with ground beef is the cozy, one skillet dinner that sneaks in extra protein without anyone noticing. Ground beef, onion, garlic, and grated carrot cook together, then the pasta simmers right in bone broth until tender. The secret is the sauce: cottage cheese blended smooth with marinara, which turns into a creamy, rosy cottage cheese pasta sauce that coats every bite. If you have been curious about cottage cheese pasta, this beefy, high protein cottage cheese pasta is the perfect place to start, and it is all made in one pan.
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Pasta
- It is packed with protein. Ground beef, cottage cheese, bone broth, and Parmesan make this a pasta dinner that keeps you full.
- Nobody will know there is cottage cheese in it. Blending it with the marinara makes the sauce silky smooth and creamy, like a vodka sauce.
- It is all made in one skillet. The pasta cooks right in the broth, so there is no pot of boiling water and no draining.
- It sneaks in veggies too. Grated carrot melts right into the sauce and adds a little natural sweetness.
Ingredients Needed To Make High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
The Beef and Veggies
One pound of ground beef browned with a chopped onion and minced garlic. A large grated carrot is optional, but it softens right into the sauce and adds an easy extra veggie.
The Pasta and Broth
An 8 oz box of pasta cooked right in 2 to 2 1/2 cups of broth. Bone broth adds extra protein. Short shapes like cavatappi, shells, or elbows work best.
The Cottage Cheese Sauce
One cup of cottage cheese blended with a 24 oz jar of marinara until completely smooth. It turns into a creamy, high protein pasta sauce.
The Finishing Touches
Grated Parmesan stirred in at the end, salt and pepper to taste, and fresh parsley for garnish.
Gluten-free? Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and check the label on your broth and marinara.
Do I have to blend the cottage cheese?
Yes, blending is what makes the sauce smooth and creamy. Blending the cottage cheese with the marinara breaks down the curds completely, so the sauce turns silky instead of lumpy. A regular blender, personal blender, or immersion blender all work.
How to Make High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
Step 1: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and onion and sauté until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.
Step 2: Brown the Beef and Carrots
Add the ground beef and let it brown, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once the beef is cooked, add the grated carrot and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until softened.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in Broth
Add the uncooked pasta and 2 cups of broth. The broth should almost cover the pasta without fully submerging it. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of broth if needed. Bring to a boil and cook until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has absorbed.
Step 4: Blend the Cottage Cheese Sauce
While the pasta cooks, blend the marinara and cottage cheese until completely smooth.
Step 5: Simmer in the Sauce
Once the pasta is al dente and most of the broth is absorbed, pour in the cottage cheese marinara. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Grate in the Parmesan, taste and add salt and pepper if needed, and top with fresh parsley.
Variations
- Swap the protein: ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage all work in place of ground beef.
- Use high protein pasta: chickpea, lentil, or protein-blend pasta adds even more protein. Adjust the cook time and broth as needed.
- Skip the carrot: it is optional, so leave it out or swap in finely chopped zucchini or spinach.
- Add some heat: stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic or use a spicy marinara.
- Make it cheesier: top with shredded mozzarella and let it melt before serving.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The pasta soaks up more sauce as it sits, so add a splash of broth when reheating. Warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring halfway through. This also makes an easy high protein meal prep lunch.
What to Serve With High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
A simple green salad, roasted broccoli, or garlic bread are all great with this pasta. Steamed green beans or a Caesar salad keep it easy for a weeknight.
Looking for more high protein pasta dinners? Try this Cheeseburger Pasta or this High Protein Broccoli Cheese Pasta.
What People Ask About High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta
Can you taste the cottage cheese in cottage cheese pasta?
No, once it is blended with the marinara you cannot taste it. It just makes the sauce creamier and a little richer, similar to a vodka or rosé sauce.
What kind of cottage cheese is best?
Any cottage cheese works. Full fat makes the creamiest sauce, while low-fat keeps it lighter. Small or large curd does not matter since it gets blended.
Can I make this with regular broth?
Yes, regular chicken or beef broth works fine. Bone broth just adds a little extra protein and flavor.
High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large carrot grated, or 2 small (optional)
- 8 oz pasta uncooked
- 2-2.5 cups broth bone broth for added protein
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 24 oz jar marinara
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper if needed
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and onion and sauté until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and let it brown while breaking it into small pieces. When cooked, add the grated carrot and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the carrots are softened.
- Add the uncooked pasta and 2 cups of broth. The broth should almost cover the pasta, but the pasta should not be fully submerged. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of broth if needed. Bring to a boil and cook until al dente.
- Meanwhile, blend the marinara and cottage cheese until smooth.
- When most of the liquid has absorbed and the pasta is al dente, pour in the cottage cheese marinara and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Grate in the Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper if needed, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- Blend the sauce: blending the cottage cheese with the marinara makes it completely smooth, so no one will know it is in there.
- Broth: start with 2 cups and only add the extra 1/2 cup if the pasta is not almost covered. Bone broth adds extra protein.
- Carrots: optional, but they add a little sweetness and an easy extra veggie.
