Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

Introduction

This Best Cottage Cheese Pesto is a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional pesto, perfect for adding a rich texture to your dishes. Made with fresh basil, toasted walnuts, and creamy cottage cheese, it’s a versatile sauce that’s easy to prepare and enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat for best texture)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
• 1/2 to 1 cup fresh basil (packed, stemmed leaves only)
• 1/4 cup walnuts (toasted for deeper flavor)
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best, optional)
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Gather all your ingredients and have a blender or food processor ready.
2. Step 2: Add the cottage cheese, fresh basil, toasted walnuts, parmesan cheese (if using), and garlic cloves to the blender.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of olive or avocado oil, depending on how creamy you want your pesto.
4. Step 4: Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, then blend until smooth. If the pesto is too thick, gradually add more oil until you reach your preferred consistency.
5. Step 5: Transfer the pesto to a sealed jar and store in the refrigerator.
6. Step 6: Use this pesto as a sauce for pasta, marinade, or salad dressing, and enjoy its rich flavor and creamy texture.

Tips & Variations

• Toast walnuts lightly to enhance their flavor before adding them to the pesto.
• For a nuttier taste, substitute walnuts with pine nuts or almonds.
• Adjust garlic quantity to suit your preference, adding less if you prefer a milder flavor.
• Use avocado oil for a milder flavor or extra virgin olive oil for a more robust taste.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh, tangy twist.

Storage

Store the pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When reheating or using cold, stir well. Because this pesto contains cottage cheese, it’s best enjoyed fresh and not frozen to maintain its creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cottage cheese instead of full-fat?

Yes, but full-fat cottage cheese provides a creamier texture and richer flavor. Low-fat versions may result in a thinner pesto.

Is it possible to make this pesto vegan?

To make a vegan version, omit the parmesan cheese and substitute cottage cheese with a plant-based alternative like silken tofu or cashew cream.

Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 234 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: About 1 to 1¼ cups of pesto 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This Best Cottage Cheese Pesto is a creamy, flavorful, and healthier twist on traditional pesto. Combining rich full-fat cottage cheese with fresh basil, toasted walnuts, shredded Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil, this pesto offers a smooth texture and bold taste perfect for pastas, marinades, or salad dressings. Easy to prepare in a blender and ready to enhance any meal, it’s a fresh, nutrient-packed sauce with a delightful balance of creamy and herbal flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
• ½ to 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed and stemmed
• ¼ cup walnuts, toasted
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, optional but recommended)
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¼ to ½ cup olive oil or avocado oil
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients: Assemble all the ingredients including cottage cheese, basil, toasted walnuts, shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, olive or avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Have your blender or food processor ready for use.
2. Combine Ingredients in Blender: Add 1 cup cottage cheese into the blender, followed by ½ to 1 cup fresh basil leaves, ¼ cup toasted walnuts, ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, and 2 cloves garlic. Pour in ¼ to ½ cup of olive or avocado oil depending on the desired creaminess.
3. Season and Blend: Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Blend the mixture until smooth using a high-powered blender or food processor for the best texture. If too thick, gradually add more oil to reach your preferred consistency.
4. Store Your Pesto: Transfer the smooth pesto into a tightly sealed jar. Store it in the refrigerator where it will keep fresh for up to 5 days.
5. Enjoy Your Pesto: Use this creamy cottage cheese pesto as a sauce for pasta, a marinade for meats, or a flavorful salad dressing to elevate your meals.

Notes

• To toast walnuts, dry roast them in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
• You can adjust basil and oil quantities to make the pesto more or less herbaceous or creamy.
• For a nuttier flavor, consider substituting walnuts with pine nuts or almonds.
• The pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for longer storage and convenient portioning.
• Fresh garlic can be replaced with roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Cottage Cheese Pesto, Healthy Pesto, Basil Walnut Pesto, Creamy Pesto Sauce, Italian Sauce, Homemade Pesto