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Best Cottage Cheese Pesto Recipe

4.8 from 91 reviews

This Best Cottage Cheese Pesto recipe offers a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional pesto by incorporating protein-rich cottage cheese. Made with fresh basil, toasted walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil, this pesto is smooth, vibrant, and versatile. Perfect as a pasta sauce, marinade, or salad dressing, this easy-to-make pesto brings rich texture and bright herbal notes to any dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Dairy

  • 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)

Nuts and Seeds

  • 1/4 cup walnuts (toasted for deeper flavor)

Herbs and Vegetables

  • 1/2 to 1 cup fresh basil leaves (packed, stemmed only)
  • 2 garlic cloves

Oils and Seasoning

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil
  • Salt (to taste, preferably sea salt)
  • Freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients: Assemble all the ingredients including cottage cheese, fresh basil, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive or avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Prepare your blender or food processor for the recipe.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Blender: Add 1 cup of cottage cheese, 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, and 2 garlic cloves into the blender or food processor. Pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of olive oil or avocado oil depending on the desired creaminess.
  3. Season and Blend: Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Blend all ingredients until smooth, preferably using a high-powered blender. If the pesto is too thick, gradually add more oil until the desired consistency is reached.
  4. Store Your Pesto: Transfer the blended pesto to an airtight jar and seal tightly. Store it in the refrigerator where it will keep fresh for up to 5 days.
  5. Enjoy Your Pesto: Use this creamy pesto as a flavorful sauce for pasta, a marinade for meats, or a zesty salad dressing to enhance your meals.

Notes

  • Use full-fat cottage cheese for the best creamy texture.
  • Toast the walnuts lightly to deepen flavor before blending.
  • Adjust garlic and basil amounts to suit your taste preference.
  • If you prefer a thinner pesto, increase the olive oil gradually during blending.
  • Store pesto in an airtight container and consume within 5 days for optimal freshness.

Keywords: cottage cheese pesto, creamy pesto, basil pesto recipe, walnut pesto, easy pesto sauce, homemade pesto