20 Creative Ways To Eat Cottage Cheese
If you are looking for new ways to eat cottage cheese I pulled together a recipe round up that features 20 ways to include cottage cheese in a snack, dip, sauce, breakfast or other main meal!
I am not at all surprised that cottage cheese has risen to glory with its mild flavor, high protein content, and capability to be used in a variety of recipes. Where some people may shy away from the tangy flavor of greek yogurt, blended cottage cheese has also become a popular greek yogurt substitute that is more mild in flavor.
If you are looking for some different ways to include cottage cheese in your diet then this cottage cheese recipe round up is for you.
There is a little bit of everything in this round up and I have separated it into 4 helpful sections: Dips and sides made from cottage cheese, desserts made from cottage cheese, cottage cheese breakfast ideas, and dinner ideas with cottage cheese.
What is Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is simply a curdled milk product that is created by an acid (or something that produces lactic acid) and rennet to milk. This two additions separate the milk into solids and a liquid byproduct, or whey. The solids are then cut into varying curd sizes which is why you have small curd or large curd cottage cheese.
Cottage cheese maintains much of the nutrition from milk and is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other health promoting nutrients.
Is cottage cheese healthier than greek yogurt?
Healthier? No. Different? Absolutely.
Both cottage cheese and greek yogurt are fantastic options to reach for if you want a food that will nourish your body. While in similar in calorie content, the calories in cottage cheese and greek yogurt are from a high quality protein source , moderate carbs, and a fat content that you are in control of depending on what fat % you buy from the store.
The primary differences between greek yogurt and cottage cheese are in the flavor and probiotic content. Greek yogurt has a much tangier flavor, more similar to sour cream, while cottage cheese is a mild and creamy flavor that could work better in certain recipes.
Another difference is in the probiotic content with most yogurts featuring live and active cultures while only few brands of cottage cheese contain probiotics.
*Note the difference in serving size.
What does cottage cheese taste like?
As mentioned above, cottage cheese has a much more mild flavor than greek yogurt. I would compare the flavor of cottage cheese more similar to that of ricotta but the nutritional profile of cottage cheese more similar to that of greek yogurt.
Pairing cottage cheese with fruit, building breakfast bowls, or blending it into smoothies are ways that you could use cottage cheese similar to how you would use greek yogurt. If you don’t like the sour flavor and a are looking for a greek yogurt substitute, cottage cheese would be the first thing I recommend you try!
Looking for other alternatives to greek yogurt? Check out my 10 substitutes for greek yogurt blog post!
20 Creative Ways To Eat Cottage Cheese
1) Cottage cheese as a snack, dip, or sauce
If you need thinly sliced chicken that can pair with just about any recipe, here are 10 ways that you can prep your thin chicken pieces to serve with your sides of choice:
Cottage Cheese With Fruit by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
Cottage cheese and fruit like peaches or pineapple makes a great balanced snack or meal. Here are 5 delicious cottage cheese and fruit pairings for you to try.
Cottage Cheese Chuys Jalepeno Ranch Dip by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
This healthier cottage cheese Chuys jalapeño ranch recipe is creamy, spicy, lower in calorie and higher in protein than the traditional recipe.
Strawberry Banana Cottage Cheese Smoothie by The Balanced Nutritionist
This high protein cottage cheese smoothie is thick and creamy and full of familiar flavors like strawberry and banana.
Buffalo Chicken Dip With Cottage Cheese by Lauren Twigge Nutrition
This high protein buffalo chicken dip has cottage cheese and greek yogurt and can be eaten with chips as an appetizer or paired with fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.
Whipped Cottage Cheese Celery Sticks by Food with Feeling
Whipped cottage cheese stuffed into celery sticks and topped with your favorite toppings makes for a deliciously simple snack.
Cottage Cheese Queso Dip by The Busy Baker
A viral recipe, cottage cheese queso is the perfect high protein appetizer to bring to sporting events or other gatherings.
Cottage Cheese Alfredo by 40 Aprons
Alfredo with cottage cheese is a lower fat and lower calorie version of your favorite pasta sauce!
Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta by Feel Good Foodie
Ready in under 20 minutes, this creamy cottage cheese pasta and pasta sauce is full of cottage cheese protein and is vegetarian friendly!
Creamy Cucumber Salad by Cooktoria
Perfect for summer, this creamy cucumber salad is full of crispy cucumber slices, fresh herbs, and a cottage cheese creaminess.
Ranch Dressing by Life Currents
With no preservatives, this cottage cheese ranch dressing is super simple to make and is great on salads or as a vegetable dip.
2) Desserts with cottage cheese:
While it has a naturally savory flavor, cottage cheese can actually be used in a variety of sweet treats and desserts including cottage cheese cookie dough (this went viral!), cottage cheese ice cream, and even frozen cottage cheese bark! Here are some sweet spins on cottage cheese:
The BEST Cottage Cheese Edible Cookie Dough by Lifestyle of a Foodie
A viral recipe, this cottage cheese cookie dough is a macro friendly sweet treat that just about everyone loves!
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars by Feel Good Foodie
Cottage cheese ice cream pops are a sweet treat at the end of the day that leaves your sweet tooth satisfied and body nourished!
Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark by Eating Bird Food
Topped with peanut butter, chocolate and granola, this frozen cottage cheese bark is the perfect refreshing treat.
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream by Nourished by Nic
With just three ingredients, this cottage cheese ice cream is a thick and creamy dessert that can be enjoyed throughout the summer.
Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries by Joy Bauer (Junk Food to Joy Food)
Whipped cottage cheese and other tasty ingredients stuffed into fresh strawberries for a delicious bite sized sweet treat.
4) Five cottage cheese breakfast ideas:
If a cottage cheese breakfast is your fancy, then here are five different ideas to have cottage cheese as your first meal of the day:
Quick 5-minute Cottage Cheese Breakfast Toast by Clean & Delicious
Cottage cheese breakfast toast is a quick and nutritious way to get your day started off on the right foot.
Cottage Cheese Bagel (2-Ingredient) by The Balanced Nutritionist
With just two ingredients these cottage cheese bagels are an easy and tasty way to include cottage cheese at breakfast.
Cottage Cheese Pancakes by Momsdish
These cottage cheese pancakes are crispy on the edges and gooey in the middle making them a secretly delicious way to boost the protein of a breakfast classic!
Cottage Cheese Egg Bake by A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
This high protein cottage cheese egg bake is loaded with veggies, bacon, and enough protein to keep you full all morning long.
Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl by Skinnytaste
Skip the eggs and stick with a savory cottage cheese bowl as an egg-free option for a high protein breakfast.
4) Cottage cheese at lunch or dinner
Finally, cottage cheese can be enjoyed beyond snacks and dips and instead be included in main meals like cottage cheese sandwiches, lasagne with cottage cheese, and other creative takes. Here are 5 ways to include cottage cheese at lunch or dinner:
Cottage Cheese Lasagna by NeighborFood
Stuffed with different meats and unique cheeses, this cozy cottage cheese lasagna will have all your friends and family asking for more!
Cottage Cheese Sandwich by Food Faith Fitness
This cottage cheese sandwich uses cottage cheese instead of traditional cheese as a way to boost the protein content and enhance the creaminess!
Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Cottage Cheese by Butter & Baggage
If you have a kid who only loves noodle, this protein packed one pot cottage cheese macaroni & cheese is a tasty way to sneak in some protein!
Mediterranean-Inspired Salad Over Cottage Cheese by Sweet Savory and Steph
Serve a mediterranean inspired salad over cottage cheese and have all of your fresh flavors coated in a delicious creamy texture!
This stuffed chicken is full of spinach and cottage cheese then baked in a delicious pasta sauce. Perfect for the entire family!
There you have 20 creative ways to eat more cottage cheese! Whether you pair cottage cheese with fruit, whip cottage cheese into an eggless cookie dough, or stuff chicken with cottage cheese, you just might find a recipe that turns you into a cottage cheese lover after all!
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Disclaimer: Please note that I am a registered dietitian but I am not YOUR registered dietitian. This information is meant to be educational and should not be used as personalized medical or nutrition advice. This blog may contain affiliate links and any purchase made through my links gives me a small commission and supports Lauren Twigge Nutrition. Recipe round ups may also feature links to other content creators.
Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a registered dietitian and my goal is to give you tips and tricks to make healthy eating fun, easy, and even delicious!