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Creamy Cottage Cheese Rigatoni

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A quick and comforting weeknight dinner featuring rigatoni pasta tossed in a creamy cottage cheese sauce with Parmesan and fresh basil. Simple ingredients come together for a nourishing and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
  • 1 ½ cups small-curd whole milk cottage cheese (about 340 grams)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 grams)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional, about 120 ml)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until just al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden—avoid burning.
  3. Pour in ½ cup heavy cream, stirring gently to combine with the garlic oil. Let it simmer on low for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  4. Lower the heat and add 1 ½ cups of small-curd cottage cheese to the skillet. Stir gently until warmed through and creamy but not broken down completely.
  5. Add ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
  6. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Season carefully as Parmesan is salty.
  7. Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet. Toss gently to coat each piece in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  8. Stir in a handful of chopped fresh basil just before serving.
  9. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Use small-curd, whole milk cottage cheese for best creamy texture. Avoid overheating the sauce to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Heavy cream is optional for extra richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy rigatoni, cottage cheese pasta, easy weeknight dinner, quick pasta recipe, comforting pasta, cheesy rigatoni

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/creamy-cottage-cheese-rigatoni-recipe-easy-weeknight-dinner-idea/