• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Welcome!!
  • Contact
  • Dessert
  • Main Dish
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers/Snacks
  • Drinks
  • Salad
  • Bread

Dance Around the Kitchen

  • Recipes By Course
  • Recipes By Ingredient
  • Popular Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome!!
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipes By Course
  • Recipes By Ingredient
  • Popular Recipes
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Published: May 25, 2023 · Last Modified: May 25, 2023 by kelsey

    Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad

    • Share
    • Tweet

    Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad is a refreshing and protein-packed side dish with flavored cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, Italian dressing, and tender pasta!

    This post is sponsored by AE Dairy,
    but all opinions and text are my own!

    Birdseye view of a large bowl of creamy pasta salad.

    Why I love Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad

    • Protein!!!!!  Cottage cheese is a great source of protein.  You could even use a high-protein pasta for an added boost!
    • It's so versatile.  I love using whatever vegetables I've got on hand to mix in!
    • You can use any medium-sized pasta and can even use whole wheat pasta!
    • It's a very simple recipe with simple ingredients!  I think we all love that!
    • Did I mention it's DELICIOUS?!  With the tangy flavor of the dressing and the flavor-packed Garden Vegetable Cottage Cheese from AE Dairy....seriously, YUM.
    Ingredients needed to make cottage cheese pasta salad:  cottage cheese, cooked pasta, cheese, vegetables and Italian dressing.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Cottage Cheese - You can use plain cottage cheese (small or large curd) or AE Dairy's Garden Vegetable Cottage Cheese.  You can also opt to use low fat cottage cheese.
    • Italian Dressing - Homemade or store-bought is fine.  You can use other salad dressings such as ranch if you prefer that flavor.
    • Pasta - My favorite shapes to use are rotini, farfalle (bowtie), penne and elbow macaroni.  You can use regular, whole wheat, gluten-free, high-protein, etc!
    • Vegetables - The options are endless!  I typically use cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and red onion.
    • Cheese - I use cubed cheddar cheese, but you can use other kinds as well.

    How to Make Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad

    Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water.  Cook time will depend on the shape of pasta you use.  Then, drain the hot pasta and rinse with cold water.  

    Close up photo of a bowl of garden vegetable cottage cheese.

    While the pasta is cooking, you'll make the creamy sauce.  To do so, you'll need a blender or a food processor.  Add the cottage cheese and dressing and mix until nice and smooth.

    Flavored whipped cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor.

    In a large bowl combine the cooked pasta, vegetables, cheese and creamy cottage cheese sauce.  Mix gently until well-coated and give it a taste.  Season with salt and black pepper, if desired.

    The last thing you'll do is chill the salad and enjoy!

    Creamy cottage cheese pasta salad in a bowl on a wooden cutting board.

    Tips for Making a Great Pasta Salad

    • Be sure to add salt to the water when cooking the pasta noodles.  Starting with bland noodles is never good!
    • Don't overcook or undercook the pasta.  You want the pasta to be soft but not mushy.
    • Add a variety of vegetables with bright colors and different textures.
    • Chill the salad before serving. It's much more tasty and refreshing when cold rather than room temperature.
    Fork with a scoop of creamy cottage cheese pasta salad on it.

    Other Delicious Add-Ins

    When it comes to pasta salad, the options for add-ins are endless!!  Here are a few of my favorite...

    • Cooked and crumbled bacon - That crispy, salty touch is SO good! Diced ham is another great option.
    • Peas - Adds a lovely pop of sweetness and color!
    • Olives - My husband and kids love having black olives in their pasta salad!
    • Cheese - Try crumbled feta cheese, cubed mozzarella, Colby jack, etc!
    • Hard-Boiled Eggs - If you're going for protein-packed, adding chopped hard-boiled eggs is a great way to do so!
    Small bowl with cottage cheese pasta salad in it with lots of vegetables.

    Other Popular Side Dishes

    Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    Garden Lettuce with Dressing

    Sweet Macaroni Salad

    Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

    Tortellini Pasta Salad

    I hope you all enjoy this lightened-up pasta salad as much as our family does!  It's a great recipe to add to your summer rotation!

    White bowl full of pasta salad.
    large bowl with cottage cheese pasta salad.

    Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad

    Author:Kelsey
    Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad is a refreshing and protein-packed side dish with flavored cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, Italian dressing and tender pasta!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Chill Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 ⅔ cup servings
    Calories 164 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup cottage cheese garden vegetable or regular
    • ⅓ cup Italian dressing light or regular
    • 12 ounces dry rotini pasta whole wheat or regular
    • ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
    • ½ cup diced bell peppers any color
    • ½ cup shredded carrots
    • ½ cup chopped broccoli
    • ½ cup cubed cheddar cheese
    • ¼ cup diced red pepper
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
    • While the pasta is cooking, add the cottage cheese and Italian dressing to a food processor and blend until smooth.
    • Add the pasta, veggies, cheese and dressing to a large bowl. Toss until well-coated.
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 7.2gFat: 4.6gSaturated Fat: 1.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 8.6mgSodium: 174mgPotassium: 89mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 318IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2.4mg
    Keyword pasta salad
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

    More Sides

    • Best Ever Baked Beans
      Best Ever Baked Beans
    • Pastry brush putting melted butter on a pan of dinner rolls.
      Homemade Dinner Rolls
    • White bowl full of mashed potatoes.
      Buttery Mashed Potatoes
    • Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
    • Share
    • Tweet
    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Chocolate Cookie with White Chocolate Chips on a white plate with milk in the background.
      Chocolate Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
    • Piece of coffee cake on a wooden board.
      Rhubarb Coffee Cake
    • Zucchini bar with cream cheese frosting with a bite out of it on a wooden board.
      Zucchini Bars
    • blueberry cookies
      Blueberry Cookies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Dance Around the Kitchen