High Protein Cottage Cheese (Print)

Creamy pasta tossed with cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, and zesty Italian dressing for a vibrant, satisfying dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz short pasta such as rotini, penne, shells, or farfalle

→ Salad Base

02 - 1 cup cottage cheese, small or large curd as preferred
03 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced, optional

→ Dressing

08 - 4 tablespoons Italian dressing, store-bought or homemade
09 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Additions

15 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
16 - 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
17 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water until cooled completely, then set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, dice cucumber and bell pepper, halve cherry tomatoes, chop spinach, finely dice red onion if using, and chop any optional add-ins. Set all vegetables aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Italian dressing, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until well blended.
04 - Add cooled pasta, cottage cheese, cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, spinach, red onion, and optional add-ins to the bowl with dressing.
05 - Gently toss all ingredients until well combined and evenly coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Stir well before serving and add additional dressing or lemon juice if desired.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely filling: The cottage cheese gives you that creamy protein without weighing you down, perfect for when you need lunch that actually satisfies.
  • Tastes even better the next day: The flavors meld together overnight into something that becomes your new meal-prep obsession.
  • You control the texture: Chunky or smooth, loaded with veggies or simple—it bends to whatever your kitchen has or your mood demands.
02 -
  • Cold pasta needs cold water: Rinsing your cooked pasta stops it from cooking further and keeps it from turning into mush by the time you serve it hours later.
  • Spinach wilts if you dress it too early: If you're making this ahead, save the spinach to add just before serving, or it'll turn into a sad, dark heap that nobody wants to eat.
03 -
  • Blend half the cottage cheese into the dressing: This creates a smooth, creamy coating that clings to every noodle while still letting you see the flecks of real ingredients.
  • Taste the dressing before adding pasta: It should be bold enough to stand up to pasta and cool salad components—if it tastes timid in the bowl alone, it'll disappear completely once everything is mixed.
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