High Protein Pink Sauce Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with this High Protein Pink Sauce Pasta recipe, a wholesome and flavorful twist on traditional comfort food. Made with nutrient-packed whole wheat penne, juicy chicken breast, and a creamy pink sauce featuring crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and blended cottage cheese for an extra protein boost, this dish is both indulgent and nutritious. Fresh basil and spinach add vibrant color and a touch of freshness, while grated parmesan cheese ties the flavors together into a perfectly balanced, restaurant-worthy meal. Ready in just 45 minutes, this hearty pasta dish is ideal for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, offering a satisfying and health-conscious option that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Garnish with extra parmesan and basil for a visually stunning presentation that’s sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams whole wheat penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 300 grams chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
- 200 milliliters heavy cream
- 50 grams parmesan cheese
- 10 grams fresh basil leaves
- 200 grams cottage cheese
- 100 grams spinach leaves
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces. Season with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and black pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the red onion, finely chopped, and garlic cloves, minced, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the canned crushed tomatoes to the onion and garlic mixture. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to combine with the tomatoes to form a pink sauce.
Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with the grated parmesan cheese. Stir everything together and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts.
Blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add the smooth cottage cheese and fresh basil leaves to the sauce, stirring to combine.
Finally, add the cooked penne pasta and fresh spinach leaves to the pink sauce. Toss everything together until well coated and the spinach is wilted.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Serve the high protein pink sauce pasta hot, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2808 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 130.3 g | 167% | |
| Saturated Fat | 57.8 g | 289% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 520 mg | 174% | |
| Sodium | 4728 mg | 206% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 243.2 g | 88% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.5 g | 109% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.2 g | ||
| Protein | 155.2 g | 310% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 941 mg | 72% | |
| Iron | 16.9 mg | 94% | |
| Potassium | 4250 mg | 90% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
