How can an ingredient like cottage cheese turn into creamy alfredo sauce? It is like magic when blended with parmesan cheese and spices. This sauce is flavorful, creamy and absolutely delicious without using any heavy cream. Best part - it is packed with protein!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthy Protein Alfredo Sauce
- Minimal Steps, I'm talking like two!
- It is gluten free and easily modified to be a great low FODMAP alfredo too!
Featured Ingredients
- Cottage Cheese - The star of the sauce. Use a 4% full-fat cottage cheese. This will help acheive the creaminess alfredo sauce needs.
- Milk - Use regular milk, lactose free milk, use Fairlife protein milk for even more protein. Do not use skim milk. It doesn't have enough fat to make a creamy sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese - Shredded parmesan cheese gives the sauce that signature flavor!
- Cornstarch - Don't skip this. It is used to thicken the alfredo sauce.
- Spices: Garlic Salt, Italian Seasoning, Salt and Pepper - Creates the most delicious alfredo sauce.
- Noodles: Use fettuccine noodles, or gluten free noodles, or try chickpea noodles for even more protein!
See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large food processor or a blender, add the cottage cheese, milk, parmesan cheese, cornstarch, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Blend for 30-60 seconds or until smooth.
Pour the sauce into a skillet.
Step 2: Boil noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
Add the noodles to the sauce in the skillet. Allow the noodles to soak up the sauce for a few minutes. Turn the heat as low as it goes. Do not rush it. The sauce will curdle.
Once the sauce is thick and warm, top it with grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and freshly cracked pepper.
Tips and Tricks
Do not panic if the sauce looks too runny! The warm noodles will soak up the sauce and help thicken it.
Save some pasta water to help thicken the sauce.
No worries if the alfredo sauce is foamy after blending. it will disappear after the noodles are added.
Double the recipe if feeding hungry people!
Slow Cooker Instructions
The slow cooker is used to gently warm the sauce and works much like the recipe for crock pot gluten free mac and cheese.
Slow Cooker Tips: Double the sauce recipe. This will fit perfectly in a 4-quart slow cooker and boxes of cooked fettuccine noodles. Regular or gluten free noodles will work! I have used both successfully. If the sauce gets too thick, add additional milk or pasta water until it is perfect.
- Step 1: Place the blended cottage cheese sauce in a 4-quart slow cooker.
- Step 2: Cook on low heat for 60-90 minutes. If the sauce comes from the refrigerator, it may take more time to warm.
- Step 3: Then add cooked, well-drained noodles. Mix until all noodles are coated with alfredo sauce.
- Step 4: Turn the heat to warm. Let the noodles and sauce sit for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce is thick.
- Step 5: Turn off the heat within thirty minutes after adding the noodles. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Variations
Low FODMAP Alfredo Sauce: Use lactose-free cottage cheese and lactose-free milk. Use Smoke and Sanity's certified low FODMAP garlic salt. I buy it on Amazon.
Low FODMAP Ingredients are based on guidance on current serving sizes measured by the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App at the time of publishing. As always, follow your gut and modify as needed.
Dairy Free Alfredo: Skip this recipe and use this one-pot alfredo sauce recipe. It is dairy free and gluten free.
Instant Pot Alfredo: Break out your Instant Pot and make alfredo in under twenty minutes!
Storing and Reheating
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Reheat: Heat leftovers in a microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warm. Add a splash of milk if the noodles seem dry.
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing. It is best to make another batch.
FAQs
Even if you are not a cottage cheese fan, you will not be able to tell it is cottage cheese after it is blended into a creamy sauce.
If you don't have cornstarch, use arrowroot powder.
If you use lower fat cottage cheese and milk the sauce will not be as creamy.
Make a pizza crust from cottage cheese. Meal prep breakfast sandwiches with sheet pan eggs with cottage cheese! Both are great recipes!
How To Serve Alfredo Sauce
- Add a sliced grilled chicken breast over the sauced noodles. Or use Dutch oven shredded chicken and mix it into the sauce.
- A side of broccoli is also great. I love to roast it in a 425 degree F oven for fifteen - twenty minutes or until slightly charred. Roasted broccoli has a great texture.
- Add a leafy green side salad with homemade Greek dressing.
Additional Pasta Recipes
- Pepperoni Penne - Easy pizza-inspired noodle casserole for quick and easy dinners.
- Gluten Free Lasagna - Layers of noodles, cheese, and flavorful sauce.
- Minestrone Soup - A veggie-packed soup with chickpeas.
- One-Pot Turkey Brat Pasta - A weeknight wonder that is made in less than 30 minutes.
Still looking for a great pasta recipe? Discover something new or an old favorite!
Love This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating + comment. It helps so much, and we love hearing from everyone! Thank You -Venessa
Recipe
Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese (Note 1)
- 1 cup milk (Note 2)
- ½ parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (Note 3)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (Note 4)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces gluten free fettuccine noodles (Note 5)
Optional Add-Ins:
- 2 cups chicken cooked, shredded
Instructions
- In a large food processor, like a 12-cup or a blender, add the cottage cheese, milk, parmesan cheese, cornstarch, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Blend for 30-60 seconds or until cottage cheese is smooth.
- Boil noodles according to package instructions. Drain well.
- In a large skillet, add the alfredo sauce and the cooked, drained noodles. Allow the noodles to soak up the sauce for five minutes over low, low heat. Do not boil the sauce. It is done once the sauce is creamy and warm. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh cracked black pepper.
Venessa says
Our family LOVES this, even the picky one!