Mediterranean Cottage Cheese Pasta (Printable version)
Vibrant Mediterranean pasta with creamy cottage cheese and crisp vegetables. Ready in 25 minutes for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
# List of ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 - 9 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 1 tsp salt for pasta water
→ Dairy
03 - 1 cup cottage cheese
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
06 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
09 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Add-ins
15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
16 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
# Directions:
01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooled pasta, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, olives, and parsley.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Top with crumbled feta and pine nuts if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours for chilled service.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese melts into the warm pasta just enough to create this incredible creamy coating without being heavy
- You can prep everything in advance and it actually tastes better after the flavors hang out together
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water is not optional here, it stops the cooking and prevents the pasta from becoming one giant clump
- The cottage cheese might look slightly chunky when you first toss it in, but it melts beautifully into the warm residual heat
03 -
- Toasting the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat until golden takes two minutes and completely transforms the final dish
- If your cottage cheese seems too watery, give it a quick drain in a fine mesh sieve before mixing it in