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High Protein Spicy Rigatoni: Amazing 30-Min Meal

High Protein Spicy Rigatoni
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A creamy, spicy rigatoni dish packed with lean protein, featuring a rich fire-roasted tomato sauce and a secret creamy base made from blended cottage cheese. This recipe proves that indulgent flavor and nutritional benefits can go hand-in-hand.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz Rigatoni Pasta
  • 16 oz 96/4 Ground Chicken
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Paste (or 2 minced cloves)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste
  • 240g Fat-Free Cottage Cheese
  • 1–2 tbsp Unsweetened Almond Milk
  • 1 serving (approx. 125g) Newman’s Own Fire Roasted Pasta Sauce
  • 56g Fat-Free Mozzarella, shredded
  • Optional: Fresh Parsley or Basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and break it apart. Season immediately with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, garlic paste, salt, and pepper. Cook until chicken is fully browned.
  3. In a blender, combine fat-free cottage cheese, almond milk, and a pinch of salt, pepper, and paprika. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
  4. Lower the heat on the chicken pan to medium. Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture and the fire-roasted pasta sauce into the pan. Stir to combine and coat the chicken. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Add the drained rigatoni to the sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
  6. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the pasta. Cover the pan for 1-2 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
  7. Serve hot in shallow bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

  • For a milder spice, start with 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes and add more to taste.
  • If you don’t have garlic paste, 2 minced fresh garlic cloves can be used. Add them to the pan for 30 seconds before browning to avoid bitterness.
  • Gluten-free rigatoni can be used as a substitute.
  • For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with cooked lentils or mushrooms.
  • To make it dairy-free, use a plain, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt alternative instead of cottage cheese and a vegan mozzarella substitute.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummywords.com/high-protein-spicy-rigatoni/

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