Ingredients
8 oz Chickpea or Lentil Pasta (Rotini or Penne recommended)
1.5 cups Low-fat Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
1/4 cup Pickled Jalapeños (plus 1 tbsp brine)
1 tbsp Taco Seasoning (Low Sodium)
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 cup Reserved Pasta Water
Fresh Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the chickpea pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions until al dente.
Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, place the cottage cheese, nutritional yeast, taco seasoning, garlic powder, pickled jalapeños, and brine into a blender.
Step 3: Blend the sauce ingredients on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Before draining the pasta, carefully scoop out 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside.
Step 5: Drain the pasta and return it to the pot over low heat. Pour the blended queso sauce and the shredded cheddar over the pasta.
Step 6: Stir gently until the cheese has melted and the spicy queso protein pasta is evenly coated, adding reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Step 7: Serve immediately topped with fresh cilantro and additional jalapeños if desired.
Notes
Ensure the blender is high-speed to get the cottage cheese perfectly smooth. Do not boil the sauce after mixing, as cottage cheese can grain if overheated.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Healthy Dinner
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: spicy queso protein pasta, high protein pasta, healthy dinner, cottage cheese pasta sauce, vegetarian protein meal
