Creamy Cottage Cheese Orzo (High Protein & Easy One-Pot Meal

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 5 minutes
• total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups dry orzo pasta

2 cups full-fat cottage cheese

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp lemon zest

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tsp Dijon mustard

½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

½ tsp ground black pepper

½ tsp fine sea salt (plus more for pasta water)

1 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Cook orzo in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set orzo aside.

In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir in cottage cheese, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Add cooked orzo back to the pot and stir to coat. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until desired creaminess is reached.

Cook for another 2–3 minutes to heat through.

Garnish with chopped basil or parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition

• Calories: 410
• Total Fat: 22g
• Total Carbohydrate: 30g
• Protein: 25g