Basil Cottage Cheese Pasta

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

   3 min hands-on10 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season with salt until it tastes like the sea.
   • Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally.

2. Prepare Basil Paste

   2 min hands-on

   • Remove basil leaves from stalks and place in a blender or food processor.
   • Add olive oil and blend until a smooth, vibrant green paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed.

3. Reserve Pasta Water

   1 min hands-on

   • Once pasta is cooked, reserve about one cup of starchy pasta water using a heatproof mug.
   • Drain the remaining water and set pasta aside in the pot.

4. Mix Sauce with Pasta

   3 min hands-on

   • Add cottage cheese to the pot with the drained pasta.
   • Stir in the basil paste, ensuring even coating.
   • Gradually add reserved pasta water, starting with a few tablespoons, until sauce is creamy and clings to the pasta.

5. Season and Serve

   2 min hands-on

   • Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
   • Divide into serving bowls and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper.
   • Serve immediately while warm.
   • Cooking tips:
   • For a smoother basil paste, add a small splash of pasta water to the blender when processing the basil and olive oil.
   • If you prefer a silkier texture, blend the cottage cheese briefly before mixing it with the pasta.
   • To enhance the umami flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast as a garnish.