### Soft Egg Noodles with Cottage Cheese: A Sentimental Comfort Food
Soft egg noodles combined with velvety cottage cheese and a dollop of butter create a flavorful and hearty dish that sparks memories and warmth. This recipe, made using common pantry items, is ideal for quick weeknight meals, delivering a fulfilling dish in under 20 minutes.
#### Taste Profile
The dish boasts a creamy, buttery consistency, with delicate noodles enhanced by the gentle and zesty taste of cottage cheese. The addition of sautéed onions imparts a touch of sweetness, elevating the overall flavor.
#### Difficulty Level
This recipe is suitable for novices, requiring basic cooking skills. It can be composed in under 20 minutes, and since only one skillet is necessary for preparation, cleaning up is simple.
#### Serving Ideas
For an enjoyable variation, think about transferring the mixture to a casserole dish, sprinkling it with seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, and broiling until the cheese is golden and bubbling. This introduces a crunchy texture that contrasts delightfully with the creamy noodles.
#### Money-Saving Tip
To maximize your meal, incorporate any leftover meats, turning this side dish into a robust one-pot main meal.
### Ingredient Recommendations for Cottage Cheese and Noodles
– **Cottage Cheese**: The richest sauce will come from full-fat cottage cheese, though any type can suffice. For a smoother consistency, choose small curd cottage cheese.
– **Noodles**: You may create your own egg noodles or buy them. Wide egg noodles are suggested for a traditional texture.
### Variations
– Explore various seasoning mixtures to complement your menu, such as taco, Greek, or lemon pepper spices.
– Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne, bowtie, cavatappi, or thicker spaghetti options such as bucatini.
– For a smoother sauce, blend the cottage cheese using an immersion blender prior to mixing it with the noodles. Ricotta can also serve as a substitute for cottage cheese.
### Steps to Prepare Cottage Cheese and Noodles
1. **Boil the Noodles**: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook as per package instructions. Drain without rinsing, then return the pasta to the pot.
2. **Sauté the Onion**: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes.
3. **Mix Ingredients**: Combine the sautéed onion with the pasta along with cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Cook on medium heat until the sauce is warmed through.
4. **Serve**: Top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with parsley if desired.
#### Success Tips
– Mixing the noodles with butter initially helps ensure the cottage cheese melts uniformly.
– To prep in advance, boil the noodles and store in the fridge. Reheat with butter and cottage cheese when ready for serving.
– When reheating leftovers, incorporate a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
### Storing Leftovers
Keep any surplus cottage cheese and noodles in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a bit of milk to preserve the creamy texture. Leftovers can also serve as a layer in lasagna or a substantial tuna casserole.
### Nutritional Information (per serving)
– **Calories**: 382
– **Carbohydrates**: 44g
– **Protein**: 15g
– **Fat**: 16g
– **Sodium**: 428mg
– **Fiber**: 2g
– **Sugar**: 3g
This soothing dish of cottage cheese and noodles is not just simple to prepare, but also flexible for different palates and preferences, making it an excellent choice for any weeknight meal rotation.