Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

Introduction

This Best Cottage Cheese Pesto is a creamy, flavorful twist on the classic sauce, perfect for adding a fresh burst of basil goodness to your meals. Using cottage cheese brings a light tang and smooth texture, making it a versatile and delicious option for pasta, meats, or salads.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 to 1 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt (sea salt preferred)
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Gather and prepare all your ingredients, including cottage cheese, fresh basil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper. Have a blender or food processor ready for use.
2. Step 2: Add the cottage cheese, fresh basil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic to the blender or food processor. Pour in the olive oil or avocado oil, starting with 1/4 cup and adding more as needed for creaminess.
3. Step 3: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend the mixture until smooth, adding more oil gradually if the texture is too thick until you reach the desired consistency.
4. Step 4: Transfer the pesto to a tightly sealed jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
5. Step 5: Use your cottage cheese pesto as a sauce for pasta, a marinade for meats, or a flavorful salad dressing.

Tips & Variations

• For a nuttier flavor, toast the walnuts lightly before blending.
• Adjust garlic amount based on your preference or substitute with garlic powder for a milder taste.
• Use avocado oil for a milder and slightly buttery flavor, or olive oil for a classic pesto taste.
• Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.

Storage

Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To maintain freshness and color, you can pour a thin layer of oil over the top before sealing. When reheating or using in cooked dishes, add the pesto towards the end to preserve its fresh flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen basil for this pesto?

Fresh basil is recommended for the best flavor and texture, but if you only have frozen, make sure to thaw and drain it well before using to avoid excess liquid.

Is this pesto suitable for someone who is lactose intolerant?

This recipe contains cottage cheese and Parmesan, which have some lactose. Lactose-intolerant individuals might tolerate small amounts, but for a dairy-free version, substitute the cottage cheese and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.

Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 128 reviews

This Best Cottage Cheese Pesto recipe is a fresh and creamy twist on the traditional pesto, incorporating protein-rich cottage cheese for a smooth texture and rich flavor. Made with fresh basil, walnuts, parmesan, and garlic, this versatile sauce is perfect as a pasta topping, marinade, or salad dressing. It’s easy to prepare in a blender or food processor and offers a delightful balance of creamy and herbaceous notes.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: About 1 cup of pesto 1x
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 to 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt (sea salt preferred), to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients: Assemble all the ingredients including cottage cheese, fresh basil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese if using, garlic, olive or avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Have your blender or food processor ready to use for the next steps.
2. Combine Ingredients in Blender: Add 1 cup cottage cheese to your blender or food processor. Then add the fresh basil leaves (between 1/2 to 1 cup depending on how strong you want the basil flavor), walnuts, shredded Parmesan cheese if using, and garlic cloves. Pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive or avocado oil based on the creaminess you prefer.
3. Season and Blend: Add salt and pepper to taste, preferably sea salt for enhanced flavor. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth using a high-powered blender if possible. If the pesto is too thick, gradually add more oil until the desired consistency is achieved.
4. Store Your Pesto: Transfer the pesto into a sealed jar for storage. Store it in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 5 days, maintaining freshness and flavor.
5. Enjoy Your Pesto: Use your cottage cheese pesto as a flavorful sauce for pasta, a marinade for meats, or a vibrant salad dressing. Savor the creamy texture and herbaceous taste that elevates any dish.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of basil and garlic according to your taste preference.
• Walnuts can be substituted with pine nuts or almonds if desired.
• Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor; omit for a vegetarian version.
• Use avocado oil as a lighter alternative to olive oil for a milder taste.
• If storing longer than 5 days, freeze the pesto in ice cube trays for portioned use later.

Keywords: cottage cheese pesto, pesto recipe, creamy pesto, basil sauce, healthy pesto, vegetarian sauce