Name: High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce (4 Ingredients)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 15-oz can fire roasted tomatoes (do not drain); 1 cup cottage cheese; ½ cup roasted red bell peppers; ¼ cup fresh basil (larger stems removed); 1 8-oz package mozzarella pearl cheese; 1 12 or 16-oz package pasta (any shape)

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This high-protein pasta sauce is about to become your weeknight go-to. Creamy, dreamy, and loaded with 20 grams of protein per serving! With roasted red peppers and cottage cheese, this no-cook pasta sauce comes together in no time (we’re talking less than 5 minutes, friends). It’s one of our favorite high protein vegetarian dinners!

Some nights, we channel our inner Gordon Ramsey. On other nights, it’s takeout and cooking shortcuts. For those latter times, let me introduce you to this quick blender pasta sauce that skips the stovetop entirely (and saves you from caving to delivery apps!).

Whether you’re looking for a meatless, high-protein pasta or need a tasty meal on the table in record time, this recipe is a game changer. Pro tip: Pair it with chickpea or lentil pasta to double up on protein!

We’ve Got The Secret Sauce

Versatile: This sauce can be used in any number of recipes! Pair it with pasta, use it as a dip/spread for bread and veggies, or incorporate it into casseroles and soups.
Hello, Meal Prep: Blend a double or triple batch ahead of time, then keep it in the fridge for no-fuss meals all week.
Kid-Friendly And Sneaky Healthy: Trust me, this creamy cottage cheese pasta sauce will win over even the pickiest eaters (and they’ll never guess it’s loaded with good-for-you ingredients!).

High protein pasta sauce in a bowl with mozzarella.

Grab These Ingredients

In true LEL fashion, we’ve kept the ingredient list for this roasted red pepper pasta sauce short and sweet. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

Fire Roasted Tomatoes: We’ll use these to add a smoky, rich flavor. If you can’t find fire roasted tomatoes, sub regular canned diced tomatoes!
Cottage Cheese: This makes our sauce ultra-creamy and protein-rich.
Roasted Red Bell Peppers: For some extra smokiness and a hint of sweetness. (If you have the time, you could also roast fresh peppers until the skins are charred, then peel them off.)
Fresh Basil: Adds a bright, herbal flavor. You could also sub fresh parsley or dried basil (if you use dried basil, reduce the amount by about 2/3).
To Serve: You can pair this sauce with your favorite pasta variety, but I find short shapes (like fusilli, farfalle, or radiatori) work best. For an indulgent finish, add fresh mozzarella cheese pearls on top!

Make It Vegan

Veganizing this recipe is actually pretty easy (and just as delish!). Simply swap the cottage cheese 1:1 for silken tofu to keep it creamy and protein-packed. For the mozzarella pearls, use your favorite plant-based alternative or sprinkle on some nutritional yeast.

Most pasta is naturally vegan, but double-check the label to make sure it’s egg-free—chickpea or lentil pasta works perfectly here for an extra protein boost!

Ingredients for high protein pasta sauce.

It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3

Once you learn just how quick and easy this pasta sauce with cottage cheese is to whip up, you’ll be making it on repeat! This is an overview of the recipe. Jump to the recipe card for the full printable instructions.

Cook the pasta according to instructions on package.
Blend the sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the sauce and cooked pasta, topping with mozzarella.

Pasta Trick

Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. You can add a splash of this starchy water to the sauce when mixing it with the pasta to help it cling to the noodles and create an even creamier consistency!

Blended high protein pasta sauce. — For the creamiest texture, a high-speed blender works best here. If you don’t have one, a food processor should do the trick.

Plays Well With

This hidden protein pasta calls for sides that bring the whole meal together! Here are some of our favorite Italian-inspired pairings to make it a feast.

Vegetarian Caesar Salad: This crunchy side salad helps even out all that pasta deliciousness.
Air Fryer Vegetables: Lighten your meal up with a side of crispy veggies.

Love this? Try my high protein lemon pepper pasta sauce next!

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High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce (4 Ingredients)

4.25 from 8 ratings

By: Sarah Bond

Prep: 5

Total: 5

Servings: servings

This high protein pasta sauce is about to become your weeknight go-to—creamy, dreamy, and loaded with 20 grams of protein per serving! Featuring roasted red peppers and cottage cheese, this no cook pasta sauce comes together in no time (we're talking less than 5 minutes, friends).

Ingredients

High Protein Pasta Sauce

▢ 1 15-oz can fire roasted tomatoes, do not drain
▢ 1 cup cottage cheese
▢ ½ cup roasted red bell peppers
▢ ¼ cup fresh basil, larger stems removed

To Serve

▢ 1 8-oz package mozzarella pearl cheese
▢ 1 12 or 16-oz package pasta, any shape

Instructions

Pasta: Cook 1 12 or 16-oz package pasta according to instructions on package.
If meal prepping this recipe, cook to al dente.
Blend: In a high-speed blender, combine 1 15-oz can fire roasted tomatoes, 1 cup cottage cheese, ½ cup roasted red bell peppers, and ¼ cup fresh basil until smooth and creamy.
Assemble: Add pasta sauce to cooked pasta, topping with 1 8-oz package mozzarella pearl cheese.

Notes

Can I serve this sauce cold? Yes! This sauce works incredibly well as a cold pasta salad dressing. Just toss it with chilled pasta and any additional mix-ins like veggies or olives.

What pasta shapes work best with this sauce? Short, ridged pastas like penne or fusilli are great for holding the creamy sauce, but any pasta shape works!

How do I keep this recipe gluten-free? Use gluten-free pasta (like chickpea, lentil, or brown rice pasta).

Storage: You can keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or freezer for up to 3 months. If it separates after thawing, just re-blend it until smooth and creamy again! And if you’re reheating it, simply add a splash of water to loosen the sauce up.

Nutrition

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

Meal Prep it!

For easy grab-and-go meals, blend and combine the sauce with noodles and cheese pearls in single-serving containers. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, then simply reheat when you’re ready to eat!

Blended high protein pasta sauce meal prep.

4.25 from 8 votes

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