This is an incredibly quick, delicious and healthy recipe, that takes only 30 minutes from start to finish. I found the original recipe on a great website, Shred Happens and have modified it a bit to my taste. Now when you see the list of ingredients, you will be surprised to see cottage cheese there. I thought it was a bit odd too, but wanted to give it a try and I loved it. The cottage cheese not only adds creaminess, but lots of protein, as does the bone broth. Those two ingredients take it to a whole new nurtrional level and honestly you would never know the cottage cheese was in there, unless I told you!

INGREDIENTS
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1 tsp. dried basil
pinch of crushed red pepper, to taste
1 Tbs. (16.5g) tomato paste
28 oz. whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
several large basil stems, reserve a few leaves for garnish
1 1/2 cups chicken bone broth
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan
croutons, optional but highly recommended

DIRECTIONS
First, add the olive oil to a large soup pot and set over medium heat. Add the onion to the olive oil and sauté to soften, for about 5 minutes (don’t let it brown). Next, add the garlic, salt, pepper, dried basil, crushed red pepper, tomato paste, and sauté for a minute or two more.

Next, add the crushed tomatoes, basil sprigs, broth and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Then, take off the heat, add the cottage cheese and using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Alternatively, you could use a regular blender or Vitamix to do the same. Finally, add the parmesan, stir to combine, check for seasoning, add salt and pepper as needed, based on your preferences. Serve with a few croutons and a chiffonade of fresh basil.

NOTES
If you can’t find chicken bone broth, you certainly can use regular chicken broth, it will just have a little less protein and doesn’t compromise taste in the least.

Also, I find the easiest way to crush the whole tomatoes is right in the can with an immersion blender.

Another option to amp this up a bit is to add some yummy, homemade sourdough croutons. Serve with a nice salad or a yummy grilled cheese sandwich for a great lunch or a light dinner.