This creamy, Cottage Cheese Cacio e Pepe is a protein-packed twist on the Italian traditional. No cream wanted—simply mix cottage cheese, black pepper, Parmesan, and starchy pasta water to make a luscious sauce. Prepared in beneath 20 minutes!
Creamy Cacio e Pepe
Should you love conventional cacio e pepe pasta however want it had a bit of extra endurance, this Cottage Cheese Cacio e Pepe is the reply. It has all of the daring, peppery taste you anticipate, however with a creamy sauce constructed from blended cottage cheese that provides a protein enhance—16 grams per serving! You’ll be able to all the time amp it up by tossing in grilled hen or grilled shrimp. And if you happen to’re trying extra methods to sneak cottage cheese into your meals, try extra of my Cottage Cheese Recipes right here!
Why This Recipe Works
I examined creamy cacio e pepe on my husband Tommy, who’s all the time a bit of skeptical once I sneak cottage cheese into recipes. However he liked it and even gave it the “choosy husband” seal of approval. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what’s!
- Cottage cheese makes it creamy with out cream. Mixing it offers you a wealthy, velvety sauce that feels indulgent however is definitely lighter and full of protein.
- Pasta water is the key weapon. It loosens the sauce and helps it cling to each strand of pasta for that traditional shiny end.
- It’s quick and pantry-friendly. No want for heavy cream or butter—simply easy substances you in all probability have already got.
- Extra protein than conventional cacio e pepe. With 16 grams per serving, it’s extra satisfying and retains you full longer.
- Grownup mac and cheese. The black pepper elevates the meal, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a tacky pasta your youngsters are positive to get pleasure from.
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free (if utilizing GF pasta), high-protein
I’ve examined a number of pasta recipes with cottage cheese, like this Lasagna and these Stuffed Shells, and lots of extra whereas engaged on my new Skinnytaste Excessive Protein cookbook. It hits bookstores on October 7, and you’ll pre-order it now.
Components You’ll Want
Listed here are the substances for cottage cheese cacio e pepe, which interprets to “cheese and pepper” in Italian. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Excessive-Protein Pasta: My favourite is Barilla Protein+, and I lately tried and loved Goodles, which many readers beneficial.
- Low-fat Cottage Cheese supplies further protein. Good Tradition and Nancy’s are nice since they’ve thicker consistencies than another manufacturers.
- Garlic provides taste to the sauce. There’s no have to mince it, because it’ll be blended with the sauce.
- Cheese: Purchase a block of high-quality Pecorino Romano and Parmesan and grate it at house for the perfect style.
- Black Pepper is crucial–It’s the “pepe” in “cacio e pepe.” Use freshly floor pepper for the perfect taste.
What’s the distinction between Pecorino Romano and Parmesan?
Each are agency, white cheeses, however Pecorino Romano is made with sheep’s milk and Parmesan is from cow’s milk. Pecorino has a saltier, tangier taste, whereas Parmesan is nuttier. It’s additionally typically aged longer than Pecorino, which suggests Parmesan’s texture is more durable and drier.
Make Cacio e Pepe
Only a few easy substances create a creamy, indulgent pasta sauce that’s secretly filled with protein. Plus, it doesn’t take lengthy to get on the desk, making it good for busy weeknights. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Cook dinner the pasta in boiling, salted water till it’s al dente. When draining the pasta, pour 1 cup of pasta water right into a measuring cup. This starchy water is the important thing to creating the cacio e pepe sauce.
- Make the Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce: Add the cottage cheese, garlic clove, each grated cheeses, and a half cup of pasta water to a blender and mix till easy.
- Mix the Pasta and Sauce: Add the sauce to a skillet and heat it, with out letting it bubble. Stir within the pepper, pasta, and 1 / 4 cup of pasta water. If it’s too thick, add a number of tablespoons of pasta water till it’s creamy and easy.
- Garnish the cacio e pepe with extra Parmesan and black pepper.
Useful Tip for the Creamiest Sauce
Sauce Consistency: The sauce could seem thick at first, however don’t panic—simply preserve including pasta water a bit of at a time whereas tossing. It transforms right into a shiny, creamy sauce that coats the noodles superbly, without having for cream.
Variations
- Gluten-Free Cacio e Pepe: Substitute your favourite gluten-free pasta.
- Pasta Form: Swap spaghetti with fettuccine or bucatini. Cacio e pepe historically makes use of lengthy pasta, however brief pasta, comparable to rotini or farfalle, will even work.
- Cottage Cheese: You need to use entire milk cottage cheese for a good creamier pasta, however I wouldn’t use fat-free.
- Cheese: Use solely Pecorino Romano or Parmesan if you happen to don’t wish to purchase each.
- Veggie Combine-Ins: Make it heartier by including spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms.
- Additional Protein: Stir in shrimp or diced hen breasts.
- Taste: The grated cheeses add salt, but when it looks like it’s lacking something, sprinkle in a bit of salt. It’s also possible to end it off with crushed pink pepper for some warmth.
Parmesan Cheese Tip: Save the Pecorino Romano and Parmesan rinds so as to add to soups later. Because the rind simmers, it softens and infuses the broth with a scrumptious cheese taste. I prefer to retailer my rinds in a zip-locked bag within the freezer, so I all the time have one obtainable.
Storage
- Refrigerate leftover pasta for five days.
- Freeze in a single hermetic container or a number of smaller ones for particular person parts. It’ll final for as much as 3 months within the freezer.
- Thaw in a single day within the fridge and microwave till heat. If the pasta absorbed quite a lot of sauce, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
Extra Cottage Cheese Recipes You’ll Love
For extra excessive protein recipes, try these 5 scrumptious cottage cheese recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Should you make this wholesome cacio e pepe recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your photographs or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb. And you’ll want to be a part of the Skinnytaste Neighborhood to see what everybody’s cooking!
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Measurement: 1 beneficiant cup
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Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil. As soon as the water is boiling, cook dinner the pasta in response to the bundle instructions for al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
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Within the meantime, add the cottage cheese, garlic, pecorino, parmesan, and 1/2 cup pasta water to a excessive powered blender. Mix till fully easy.
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Add the sauce to a skillet and warmth over medium. As soon as the sauce is heat however not effervescent, add the pepper and the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to mix. Add 1/4 cup of the pasta water and stir. If the sauce appears too thick, add extra of the reserved pasta water, a number of tablespoons at a time till you attain your required consistency. It needs to be creamy and easy.
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Serve topped with further parmesan cheese and loads of black pepper.
Final Step:
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Need extra protein? High with grilled hen or shrimp,
Serving: 1 beneficiant cup, Energy: 243 kcal, Carbohydrates: 29.5 g, Protein: 16 g, Fats: 3 g, Saturated Fats: 1.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 9.5 mg, Sodium: 205.5 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 3 g