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Creamy Grown-Up SpaghettiOs Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Food Elevated

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A creamy, nostalgic yet sophisticated homemade version of SpaghettiOs that is quick, simple, and packed with flavor, perfect for cozy dinners and comfort food cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (100g) small pasta rings or O-shaped pasta (elbow macaroni works as substitute)
  • Salt for boiling water
  • 1/2 cup (120g) small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (can substitute with coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons (18g) tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup (35g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional garnishes: fresh parsley chopped, cracked red pepper flakes, extra grated Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of salted water to a rolling boil in a medium pot. Add 1 cup (100g) of small pasta rings and cook about 7-8 minutes until just al dente. Drain pasta and reserve 1/4 cup (60ml) pasta cooking water.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter. Stir in 2 tablespoons (18g) tomato paste and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant and deepened in color. Add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder and stir.
  3. In a blender or with an immersion blender, combine 1/2 cup (120g) cottage cheese and 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour blended cottage cheese mixture into the saucepan with tomato paste and butter. Stir gently over low heat, warming through but not boiling. Add 1/3 cup (35g) grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  5. Season sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Keep sauce warm over very low heat.
  6. Add drained pasta rings to the sauce and stir gently to coat. Heat together 1-2 minutes to combine flavors. Add splash of pasta water if sauce thickens too much.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Do not let the sauce boil after adding cheese to prevent separation. Blend cottage cheese thoroughly for a silky sauce. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute cream and cottage cheese with coconut cream and plant-based cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: SpaghettiOs, creamy pasta, comfort food, homemade SpaghettiOs, easy pasta recipe, nostalgic food, quick dinner

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/creamy-grown-up-spaghettios-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food-elevated/