High Protein Pink Sauce Pasta

Elevate your pasta night with this irresistibly creamy and nutritious High Protein Pink Sauce Pasta! This recipe combines tender chunks of seasoned chicken breast, whole wheat penne, and a velvety pink sauce made with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a secret protein-packed ingredient—blended cottage cheese—for an indulgently rich texture with a healthy twist. Fresh spinach leaves and fragrant basil add layers of flavor and nutrients, while parmesan cheese enhances every bite with savory, cheesy goodness. Ready in just 45 minutes, this high-protein pasta dish is perfect for a wholesome family meal or post-workout dinner. Serve it hot, topped with extra parmesan and basil, for an Italian-inspired delight that's both comforting and protein-rich.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Add the canned crushed tomatoes to the onion and garlic mixture. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to combine with the tomatoes to form a pink sauce.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 11

Serve the high protein pink sauce pasta hot, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1714.2 grams (1714.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2808

Total Fat 130.30g	167%
Saturated Fat 57.80g	289%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.30g
Cholesterol 521mg	174%
Sodium 4728mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 243.20g	88%
Dietary Fiber 30.50g	109%
Total Sugars 48.20g
Protein 155.20g	310%

Vitamin D 8IU	40%
Calcium 941mg	72%
Iron 17mg	94%
Potassium 4250mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.4%

Protein: 22.4%

Carbs: 35.2%