Easy Healthy Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce

My easy & healthy Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce Recipe is a nutritious twist on traditional creamy alfredo with parmesan cheese, butter, sauteed garlic, Italian seasoning, and milk for a creamy, gluten-free sauce the whole family will love as fettuccine alfredo or with zucchini noodles. It takes less than ten minutes for an easy weeknight dinner with fresh pasta, grilled chicken, and vegetables.

Plate of fettucine with cottage cheese alfredo sauce.

My easy & healthy Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce Recipe is a nutritious twist on traditional alfredo sauce with parmesan cheese, butter, sauteed garlic, Italian seasoning, and milk for a creamy sauce the whole family will love as fettuccine alfredo or with zucchini noodles. It takes less than ten minutes for an easy weeknight dinner with fresh pasta, grilled chicken, and vegetables. And it’s made gluten-free with tapioca flour or corn starch.

This healthy alfredo sauce recipe is one of the most versatile cottage cheese recipes because it can be enjoyed in so many ways. And it comes together in less than ten minutes for an easy weeknight dinner with fresh pasta, grilled chicken, and vegetables.

YouTube video

Why You’ll Love This Healthy, Creamy Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce Recipe

  • You only need a few simple ingredients.
  • It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
  • The flavor-rich ingredients make it taste amazing!
  • All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Plate of fettucine with cottage cheese alfredo sauce.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting healthy cottage cheese alfredo sauce:

Butter: You can substitute butter with an equal amount of olive oil, ghee, or margarine for a dairy-free option.

Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder or 1/2 teaspoon of garlic paste.

Italian Seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use a combination of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

Tapioca Flour: You could also use arrowroot flour, corn starch or potato starch.

Chicken Stock: Vegetable stock or broth can be used as a substitute for chicken stock to make the sauce vegetarian.

Almond Milk: You can use any other milk substitute like soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. If you prefer a richer sauce, you can substitute heavy cream or half-and-half for the almond milk.

Cottage Cheese: For a dairy-free option, you can use tofu blended with a little lemon juice or nutritional yeast for a similar texture and flavor.

Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese is a great option because it melts down quickly. You can use nutritional yeast as a dairy-free substitute for a cheesy flavor or a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative.

Salt: Use any other salt you have on hand, such as sea salt or kosher salt.

Pepper: You can omit the pepper if you prefer or use white pepper for a milder flavor. You can also add red pepper flakes to add a little heat.

Plate of fettucine with cottage cheese alfredo sauce.

How to Make Creamy Healthy Alfredo Sauce with Cottage Cheese

Step 1: Blend the Cottage Cheese

In a blender, food processor, or chopper cup with an immersion blender, add the cottage cheese and milk and blend until smooth. Then, set aside.

Adding milk to the cottage cheese.

Step 2: Make the Roux

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the melted butter. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant.

Sprinkle tapioca flour (or corn starch) over the garlic and butter mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for another minute to remove the raw flavor of the flour.

Adding chicken stock to the roux.

Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients

Gradually whisk in 3/4 cup of chicken stock, making sure to break up any lumps of flour. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.

Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of almond milk, whisking continuously to combine. Cook the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Reduce the heat to low and add the cottage cheese and milk mixture. Stir until the cheeses are melted. Add the salt and pepper and season to taste.

Remove the sauce from the heat and use it immediately as a creamy Alfredo sauce for your favorite pasta, vegetables, with a big green salad, or any other dish of your choice.

Parmesan cheese added to sauce in pan.
Plate of fettucine with cottage cheese alfredo sauce.

Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce with Cottage Cheese Recipe

Consistency: The sauce will thicken as it cools, so you may need to add more chicken stock or milk to thin it out if necessary.

Cheese: Feel free to adjust the amount of Parmesan cheese to suit your taste. You can also use other cheeses like Romano or Asiago for a different flavor.

Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

You can add cooked chicken breast for chicken alfredo, shrimp, or vegetables to the sauce to make it a complete meal. Fresh spinach, mushrooms, and peas are great additions.

Refrigeration: Allow the sauce to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate the leftover cottage cheese alfredo sauce for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: While this sauce can be frozen, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. To freeze, let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe, air-tight container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thawing: To thaw frozen sauce, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Reheating: When reheating the sauce, add a little extra liquid (such as chicken stock or milk) to thin it out if it has thickened in the refrigerator or freezer.

Separation: It’s normal for the sauce to separate slightly upon reheating. Simply stir it well to recombine the ingredients before serving.

What types of cheese can I use in this cottage cheese pasta sauce?
Yes, you can use different types of cheese in this recipe. Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Romano or Asiago cheese for a similar flavor profile.

Can I make this alfredo recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving over your cooked pasta.

Can I freeze homemade alfredo sauce?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Can I use regular flour instead of tapioca flour or cornstarch like a classic alfredo sauce?
Yes, you can use regular flour as a thickener, but the sauce may not be gluten-free if you do so.

Can I make this creamy pasta sauce vegan?
Yes, you can make this sauce vegan by using dairy-free butter, almond milk, and a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative.

Can I add meat or vegetables to make cottage cheese alfredo pasta?
Yes, you can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or vegetables to this sauce to make it a complete meal. Spinach, mushrooms, and peas are great additions.

Can I use this cottage cheese sauce on pizza?
Yes, you can use this sauce as a base for pizza instead of traditional tomato sauce for a creamy and flavorful alternative.

Plate of fettucine with cottage cheese alfredo sauce.

Easy Healthy Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
My easy & healthy Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce Recipe is a nutritious twist on traditional creamy alfredo with parmesan cheese, butter, sauteed garlic, Italian seasoning, and milk for a creamy, gluten-free sauce the whole family will love as fettuccine alfredo or with zucchini noodles. It takes less than ten minutes for an easy weeknight dinner with fresh pasta, grilled chicken, and vegetables
5 from 5 votes
Servings 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon tapioca flour (or corn starch)
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • dash pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a blender, food processor, or chopper cup with an immersion blender, add the cottage cheese and milk and blend until smooth. Then, set aside.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
    Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the melted butter. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant.
    Sprinkle tapioca flour (or corn starch) over the garlic and butter mixture. Stir well to combine and cook for another minute to remove the raw flavor of the flour.
  • Gradually whisk in 3/4 cup of chicken stock, making sure to break up any lumps of flour. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
    Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of almond milk, whisking continuously to combine. Cook the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
    Reduce the heat to low and add the cottage cheese and milk mixture. Stir until the cheeses are melted. Add the salt and pepper and season to taste.
    Remove the sauce from the heat and use it immediately as a creamy Alfredo sauce for your favorite pasta, vegetables, with a big green salad, or any other dish of your choice.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Consistency: The sauce will thicken as it cools, so you may need to add more chicken stock or milk to thin it out if necessary.
Cheese: Feel free to adjust the amount of Parmesan cheese to suit your taste. You can also use other cheeses like Romano or Asiago for a different flavor.
Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 319mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 178IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword cottage cheese, healthy alfredo sauce, parmesan cheese
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂

6 Comments

  1. This tastes soooo much better than the sauce in a jar!!! My kids had no idea it had cottage cheese. Five stars for that alone!

5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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