This creamy fettuccine alfredo uses cottage cheese in the pasta sauce to make it a little lighter and healthier, but it still tastes as good as the classic. The pasta dish needs just 4 ingredients. It is an easy one pot meal ready in about 20 minutes and you don’t even need to strain the noodles.
Fettuccine Alfredo in a bowl

This is a quick and easy pasta dish to make. I love that it uses cottage cheese in the sauce to make it a little healthier. I also like that the noodles and sauce cook in the same pot, so there is less clean-up.

Ingredients

  • Cottage cheese
  • Parmesan
  • Fettucine
  • Water
  • Garlic powder (optional)

If you like garlic flavor in your fettuccine alfredo, you can add garlic powder as well. In the US, fettuccine alfredo usually includes garlic flavor, but I’ve had it without garlic flavor in Italy.

Cottage cheese: I used 4% cottage cheese so that the sauce is more creamy. You can use low fat cottage cheese but the sauce will be more watery.

Parmesan cheese: You can use freshly grated or store-bought grated Parmesan cheese.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Add the cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder (if using) to a blender and blend until smooth. Let the mixture come to room temperature.
  • Add noodles to a pot and add just enough water to cover the noodles, about 3-4 cups.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 6-7 minutes.
  • Drain the water, but reserve 1/2 cup.
  • Remove the pasta from the heat. Add the whipped cottage cheese in batches, stirring in between, until a creamy sauce forms. Use the reserved water if needed to thin out the sauce. Garnish with more parmesan if desired.

Fettuccine noodles with a cottage cheese pasta sauce

Expert Tips

  • You can use low fat cottage cheese but the sauce will be less creamy and more watery.
  • You can use freshly grated Parmesan cheese or store bought to save time.

Fettuccine Alfredo in a bowl with freshly grated parmesan
A close up of Fettuccine Alfredo with a cottage cheese sauce

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

5 from 1 vote

4 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Fettuccine Alfredo

This 4-Ingredient cottage cheese alfredo is a perfect weeknight meal, combining simplicity and deliciousness in one pot. No need to strain the pasta! Unlike traditional Alfredo sauces, which rely on heavy cream, this protein-packed version uses cottage cheese, offering a healthier twist without compromising on creaminess. Serve it straight from the pot with an extra sprinkle of parmesan for a quick and comforting dinner that’s as easy to make as it is to clean up.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (113g) 4% cottage cheese
  • 1 cup (94 g) grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
  • 8 ounces (227g) fettuccine

Instructions
 

  • Add cottage cheese, grated parmesan, garlic powder (if using) and ½ cup water to a small blender. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the machine as needed. Set aside to come to room temperature. This is an important step.
  • Add noodles to a large pot, breaking the noodles if needed, to make them fit. Add enough water to just barely cover the noodles, about 3 to 4 cups.
  • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Cook the noodles over a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 6 to 7 minutes. Some of the water should still be in the pot, about ½ cup. Drain the water but reserve ½ cup in a measuring cup and set aside.
  • Remove pasta from heat. Add the whipped cottage cheese mixture in batches, stirring in between, until a creamy sauce forms. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved water. Taste and season with salt if needed. You can also garnish pasta with more grated cheese and/or fresh chopped herbs if desired. Store any uneaten pasta in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

  • I like using 4% cottage cheese for a creamier sauce but you can use low fat cottage cheese.
  • For store bought parmesan cheese, I tested with Belgioioso.*
  • *These product links are affiliate links. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 340kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 321mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, NET CARBS: 40
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. This is not a comprehensive list of all the nutrients in the recipe (i.e., does not include vitamins, cholesterol, etc). I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
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