Cottage cheese carbonara

Cottage cheese carbonara

30 min
Try our recipe for a tasty cottage cheese carbonara – a fresh variation of the classic carbonara dish. It combines cottage cheese, vegetable strips, and turkey bacon in a flavourful, creamy sauce. It is quick and easy to prepare, making it a perfect option for both lunch and dinner.
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https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/cottage-cheese-carbonara/

Instructions

Spaghetti and vegetables
  • Bring water and salt to a boil in a large, thick-bottomed pot. Cook the spaghetti over a steady heat for 10–12 minutes until it is tender but not soft.
  • Meanwhile, make thin strips of courgette and carrots using a julienne cutter or vegetable shredder. Cut the peppers into very thin, long strips.
  • Place the courgette, carrot, and pepper strips in the boiling water for about 30 seconds and drain the spaghetti and vegetables in a colander.
Bacon
  • Meanwhile, cut turkey bacon into small strips.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the bacon for 2 minutes at high heat and then about 5 minutes at low heat until golden – stirring the bacon occasionally.
Sauce
  • Process the cottage cheese in a food processor for about 1 minute until smooth. Add egg and salt and process for another 10 seconds. Fold the cottage cheese mixture with the parmigiano reggiano and bacon (save some bacon for garnish).
  • Add the drained spaghetti and vegetables to the large pan with the Parmesan mixture.
  • Heat quickly while stirring until the Parmesan mixture just thickens – it will thicken quickly, so take it off the heat quickly if you do not want the eggs to curdle.
  • Arrange the spaghetti carbonara on 4 warm, deep plates. Sprinkle with bacon and plenty of freshly ground pepper.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about cottage cheese carbonara

Find the answers to the most popular questions about making cottage cheese carbonara.

Why do carbonara recipes use cottage cheese instead of traditional cheese?
Cottage cheese keeps the dish creamy and full of flavour, making it a great option for those looking for variation. It also mixes well with other ingredients, closely mimicking the authentic carbonara taste that people love.
How can I achieve a smooth texture with the cottage cheese mixture?
For a creamy cottage cheese mixture in your carbonara, blend the cottage cheese and eggs until smooth. A high-speed blender or food processor will remove lumps, creating a rich sauce that coats the spaghetti and vegetables well.
How do I make my carbonara sauce thinner?
If the cottage cheese carbonara sauce is too thick, add some of the water in which you cooked the pasta. This will thin out the sauce, making sure it coats your spaghetti and vegetables just right. Add the water gradually until the sauce is creamy enough for your taste.

Ingredients

Spaghetti and vegetables
Water
3 l
Coarse salt
1 tbsp
Dried wholemeal spaghetti
300 g
Green courgette (about 250 g)
1
Large carrots, peeled (about 250 g)
2
Yellow peppers (about 300 g)
2
Bacon
Turkey bacon, thinly sliced
125 g
Olive oil
2 tsp
Sauce
Cottage cheese
250 g
Eggs
2
Coarse salt
1 tsp
Parmigiano reggiano, finely grated
50 g
Garnish
Freshly ground pepper
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Tips: Make the best cottage cheese carbonara

Discover a few tips and tricks to help you make the best cottage cheese carbonara. We guide you through what ingredients to choose and how to store the dish.

Choose fresh vegetables

For a flavourful cottage cheese carbonara, use vegetables that are currently in season. These vegetables enhance the dish with their fresh flavour and vibrant colour.

Storing and reheating

Store leftover cottage cheese carbonara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, use a low heat setting on the stovetop or in the oven, adding a splash of milk to maintain the creamy consistency without drying it out.

Avoid freezing

Avoid freezing cottage cheese carbonara, as the texture of the cottage cheese can become grainy, and the sauce may separate. Instead, prepare only the amount you plan to eat within a few days for the best taste and texture.

Try our simple recipe for cottage cheese carbonara

Our recipe for cottage cheese carbonara takes the classic dish and adds a twist. At its heart, it maintains the classic carbonara identity, but we have added cottage cheese for a fresh, tangy flair. This version also features a colourful array of earthy vegetables and savoury slices of turkey bacon, enriching the dish with a wonderful depth of flavour. Despite these additions, the carbonara remains creamy, rich, and utterly satisfying. Cook up a big portion the next time you have guests over, and enjoy a cottage cheese carbonara.

We have plenty of delectable carbonara variations in our recipe collection. Discover a tasty mushroom carbonara and our easy carbonara with egg yolk. You can also try other pasta-based dishes like chicken fettuccine Alfredo or a delicious macarona béchamel.

Colourful vegetable strips

Spaghetti still makes up the base in our carbonara with cottage cheese. Cooked with thin strips of vegetables, the dish turns into a vibrant display of green, yellow, and orange colours. The courgette, carrot, and yellow pepper are cut into thin julienne strips that cook easily with the pasta. Adding vegetables to your carbonara is an easy way to infuse the dish with both colour and freshness.

With savoury turkey bacon for a salty touch

No carbonara is complete without something savoury and salty. Typically, this comes from meats like pancetta, but in our carbonara with cottage cheese, we use turkey bacon. The bacon adds a smoky, savoury depth to the carbonara. When thinly sliced and cooked until crispy, its salty flavour and crunchy texture provide a perfect contrast to the creamy sauce and tender vegetables.

Creamy sauce with cottage cheese and Parmesan

We combine cottage cheese and Parmesan to put a new spin on the classic carbonara sauce. When blended, cottage cheese transforms into a creamy base with a hint of tanginess. Adding finely grated Parmesan introduces a rich, umami depth while giving it an extra layer of creaminess. The result is a smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the spaghetti and vegetables, rivalling traditional carbonara in both texture and flavour.

Perfect as a quick lunch or dinner

Cottage cheese carbonara is an excellent option if you are searching for an easy meal. Its quick preparation time makes it ideal for busy weekdays when you crave a tasty home-cooked meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. The tangy cottage cheese and earthy flavours from the vegetables impart a refreshing taste to the dish. This way, you can easily cook a portion that is great for both lunch and dinner.

Make it your own

Experiment with the recipe and swap ingredients for the ones you prefer. If you are aiming for a taste closer to classic spaghetti carbonara, consider replacing the turkey bacon with pork bacon or pancetta, which offer a more pronounced savoury flavour.

You can also substitute the courgette or peppers for leafy greens. Simply wilt the greens in the pan before adding them to the mix.

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