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Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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