![['Close-up view of high protein pasta with chicken and spinach.', 'Juicy high protein pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes and cheese.', 'Side view of a bowl of high protein pasta garnished with fresh basil.', 'Detailed shot of creamy high protein pasta mixed with vegetables.']](https://proteinrecipelab.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/high-protein-pasta_1_U1.webp)
High Protein Pasta
A delicious and protein-packed pasta dish combining tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs in a creamy cottage cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces high protein pasta (such as Banza)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or neutral cooking oil of choice)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese (2 cups)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus additional for serving)
- ½ cup milk (I used 2%)
- 1 garlic clove roughly chopped, about 1 teaspoon
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes; pat dry if packed in oil; if dehydrated
- 2 cups spinach (roughly chopped or torn)
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid, then drain and rinse.
- Saute chicken with Cajun and Italian seasonings in oil until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Blend cottage cheese, Parmesan, milk, and garlic until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan with chicken. Pour sauce over and warm gently, thinning with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Stir in spinach until wilted, then sprinkle with basil and serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Notes
For extra flavor, top with additional Parmesan before serving.