Cottage Cheese Alfredo (Done RIGHT & EBT-Friendly) – under $5
Ingredients:
- 1 box pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp parmesan cheese ((optional but adds richness))
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- pinch salt (salt + pepper to taste (add as needed))
Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.
Instructions
1. Boil pasta in salted water until tender.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water (optional but makes the sauce extra silky).
Drain.
2. Blend the Alfredo sauce In a blender (or use an immersion blender):
Add cottage cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper
Blend 20–30 seconds until completely smooth.
3. Heat the sauce In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.
Pour in the blended sauce. Heat gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring until it thickens slightly. (Do NOT boil – cottage cheese sauces thicken fast.)
Add a splash of pasta water if you want it creamier.
4. Combine Add cooked pasta directly into the warm sauce.
Toss until every noodle is coated.
Top with parmesan (optional).
SERVES 3–4 hearty portions (Leftovers reheat perfectly – add a splash of water or milk.)
Healthy Alfredo doesn’t have to taste sad. This Cottage Cheese Alfredo is creamy, silky, and shockingly good — for just a few dollars. With EBT-friendly ingredients and zero fancy steps, this recipe gives you a high-protein comfort meal that feels gourmet on a shutdown budget.
Save this one. It’s cheap, fast, filling, and honestly… better than jarred Alfredo.
EBT-Approved Grocery List + Prices
(Dollar Tree / Walmart / ALDI-level pricing)
1 box pasta (fettuccine or penne) $1.25
1 cup cottage cheese (from $1.49 tub) $1.00
1 cup milk (from $2.39–$2.79 gallon) $0.30
2 tbsp butter $0.40
1 tbsp parmesan (optional but good) $0.50
Garlic powder, onion powder, pepper $0.50
TOTAL COST: $3.45–$4.00 (Serves 3–4 big portions — under $1.25/serving)
All items are EBT-eligible.
