A dish that combines the comforting essence of Italian cuisine with the nutritional benefits of cottage cheese. This creamy rigatoni dish not only satisfies your cravings but also packs a protein punch, making it an excellent choice for a healthy pasta meal.
Ingredients
Scale:
12 oz rigatoni pasta
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tsp of salt to the boiling water to enhance the flavor of the pasta.
Add the rigatoni pasta to the pot and cook according to the package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cottage cheese sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Once the rigatoni is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta in a colander.
Return the drained rigatoni to the pot over low heat. Add the cottage cheese sauce to the pasta, stirring well to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Cook the rigatoni with the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until heated through.
Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnishing with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese as desired.
