For a creamy pasta with a kick that is on the healthier side, you have to try this High Protein Spicy Vodka Pasta! By swapping out the heavy cream for blended cottage cheese, you get a velvety sauce that’s not only lighter and cheesier but also loaded with protein!
This healthier vodka pasta recipe is inspired by traditional pasta alla vodka but made my way, with healthier ingredients for a satisfying and nutritious meal! You might have seen the viral Gig Hadid vodka pasta or Carbone's spicy rigatoni vodka pasta, which is also similar to this one. My vodka pasta sauce replaces heavy whipping cream with blended cottage cheese to make a protein-packed pasta dish that is sure to become your new favorite pasta!
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Ingredients
To make easy high protein vodka sauce, you will need:
- Pasta & Pasta Water: You can use any kind of pasta that you prefer! I used rigatoni pasta here.
- Shallot & Garlic: These aromatics add a depth of flavor to the sauce!
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a spicy vodka sauce, add red pepper flakes. If you are sensitive to spice, add just a little bit and continue to add depending on your tolerance.
- Vodka: Vodka adds a whole new flavor dimension to this tomato sauce. It is slightly peppery which pairs with the tomato and cottage cheese perfectly! Don't worry, the alcohol will get cooked off.
- Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds a deep tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Cottage Cheese: The key to a high-protein, creamy sauce. When blended, cottage cheese becomes silky smooth and mimics the texture of cream without all the fat.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor that is great for garnish.
- Salt: Add salt to taste!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Spicy Vodka Pasta
Step 1: In a pan over medium-low heat, add oil, garlic, shallots, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Sauté until softened.
Step 2: Add red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Add tomato paste and sauté.
Step 3: Add vodka, stir to combine and allow vodka to cook down, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Add in reserved pasta water and mix to combine. Turn down the heat to low and mix in blended cottage cheese. Continue mixing until it is fully incorporated.
Step 5: Add in parmesan cheese and salt to taste. Add in cooked rigatoni and toss to combine.
Hint: Add the pasta to the pan with the vodka sauce at the end! This will ensure that each piece of pasta is coated nicely with sauce, and then serve.
Top Tips
- Blend the cottage cheese until smooth! Make sure to blend the cottage cheese until it is completely smooth, so that there are no chunks in the sauce.
- Choose the cottage cheese that you prefer. If you use a whole milk cottage cheese, the sauce will be richer and creamier. If you use a non-fat cottage cheese, it won't be as rich, but will be lower in calories and fat.
- Don't forget to reserve some pasta water! The starchy pasta water helps to emulsify the sauce, making it cling beautifully to the pasta.
Recipe Variations
- Add a protein! While the cottage cheese already adds a good amount of protein, you can add more by including cooked chicken, shrimp, or even tofu for a plant-based option.
- Make it gluten-free. For a gluten-free spicy vodka pasta use your favorite gluten free or chickpea pasta!
- Add some veggies to the mix! If you want some added nutrition, you can add sliced mushrooms and spinach to this high protein spicy vodka pasta.
- If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, simply omit the vodka and replace that liquid with extra pasta water. You won't get the same exact sauce, but it will still be a lovely spicy tomato sauce!
Storage
Store any leftover high-protein spicy vodka pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days! Reheat in a pan with a splash of water or broth to help break up the sauce and create a creamy texture again.
FAQ
Even if you aren't a fan of cottage cheese, I recommend using it here. The blended cottage cheese won't make this pasta taste anything like cottage cheese! Plus, cottage cheese is key to making this a high protein pasta recipe. However, if you don't want to use cottage cheese, you can use heavy cream instead! Start with about ⅓ cup of heavy cream and add more depending on the consistency and flavor you want.
This sauce has a kick to it thanks to the red pepper flakes. I would say it is a medium level of spicy. The level of spiciness depends on how much red pepper flakes you add, though. For a milder version, reduce it to ½ teaspoon, or skip it altogether if you’re sensitive to heat.
More Recipes to Try
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
- Vietnamese Garlic Noodles
- Scallion Pancake Breakfast Wrap
- Beef Banh Mi
- Chinese Steamed Water Eggs
- Chocolate Chunk Muffin
High Protein Spicy Vodka Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz rigatoni cooked
- 1 cup pasta water reserved from pasta
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup vodka
- 4 oz tomato paste
- 1 cup cottage cheese blended
- 2-3 oz parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a pan over medium-low heat, add oil, garlic, shallots, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Sauté until softened.
- Add red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Add tomato paste and sauté.
- Add vodka, stir to combine and allow vodka to cook down, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add in reserved pasta water and mix to combine. Turn down the heat to low and mix in blended cottage cheese. Continue mixing until it is fully incorporated.
- Add in parmesan cheese and salt to taste. Add in cooked rigatoni and toss to combine.
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