Description
This creamy, vibrant pasta dish is not only delicious but also packed with protein!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 12 oz roasted red peppers, drained
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup unsweetened milk (plant-based or dairy)
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add in your penne pasta. Cooking the pasta until al dente is crucial to ensure it maintains a bit of a bite. Once cooked, reserve half a cup of pasta water as it will help adjust the sauce later on. Drain the pasta and set it aside temporarily while you work on the sauce.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red chili flakes, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn, as burnt garlic can impart an unpleasant bitter taste to your dish.
- In a high-speed blender, combine the sautéed garlic and any leftover oil, drained roasted red peppers, your choice of protein (either cottage cheese or Greek yogurt), unsweetened milk, parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, and season generously with salt and pepper. Blend these ingredients until the mixture is completely smooth. This velvety sauce is what makes this pasta dish rich and creamy without the extra calories.
- Pour the blended sauce back into the skillet and heat over medium-low for about 2-3 minutes, continually stirring to prevent sticking. If at any point your sauce seems too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water to find your desired consistency. Take your time here; heating the sauce allows the flavors to meld perfectly.
- Finally, add the cooked penne to the sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece thoroughly. Let the pasta simmer in the sauce for about 1 minute so that it absorbs those fantastic flavors. This step is essential for melding all the components together into a harmonious dish.
- Your High Protein Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is now complete! To serve, garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley, along with additional cheese or nutritional yeast if desired. Enjoy it hot, and don’t forget to savor each creamy bite!
Notes
For a gluten-free version, substitute penne pasta with gluten-free pasta alternatives. Experiment with other cheeses, such as feta or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Protein: 21 g