A lighter take on the classic side dish with extra protein from turkey bacon and cottage cheese.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Approximate Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: ~225
- Protein: ~19 g
- Carbohydrates: ~10 g
- Fat: ~12 g
- Fiber: ~4 g
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped (or center-cut bacon)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese, blended until smooth
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the green beans for 4–5 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately transfer to ice water. Drain again.
- Cook the chopped turkey bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- If needed, add the olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the green beans, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the blended cottage cheese, Parmesan, and lemon juice until the beans are lightly coated and warmed through. Avoid boiling the sauce.
- Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top and garnish with parsley.
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup diced onions
- ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds for crunch
- Red pepper flakes for a little heat
More Protein
To increase the protein to 24–26 g per serving, add one of these:
- 8 ounces (225 g) diced grilled chicken breast
- 8 ounces (225 g) cooked turkey sausage, sliced
- ½ cup shelled edamame