Name: Loaded Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8-10
Ingredients: 3 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 cup low fat cottage cheese, blended; 3 tbsp butter; 1/3 cup low fat milk; 1/2 cup bacon bits; 1/2 cup sharp cheddar; 1/3 cup Monterey Jack; 3 tsp garlic salt; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup green onions, or to taste

These delicious loaded cottage cheese mashed potatoes are full of the crispy bacon bits, green onions, multiple cheeses, and get their creamy texture from blended cottage cheese. Beyond its tasty texture, the cottage cheese boosts the protein and gives these mashed potatoes almost 15 grams of protein per serving for a hearty side dish your whole family will love.

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Loaded Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

There are few flavors I love more than the flavors in loaded mashed potatoes. Cheese, bacon, and the punch of some green onions… mmm, mouthwatering!

While loaded potatoes can be presented in many forms from twice baked to scalloped, I’m partial to adding the flavors to mashed potatoes and combine the whipped texture of mashed potatoes with the delicious flavors of a loaded potato.

These loaded cottage cheese mashed potatoes are my dietitian twist on a true comfort meal… without losing the comfort! These mashed potatoes are creamy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned, yet offer a boost of 15 grams of protein per serving with cottage cheese that you won’t even know is there.

Making healthier mashed potatoes has truly never been more delicious and I do think even the cottage cheese haters will rally around this cottage cheese and mashed potatoes combo. Let’s get to the recipe!

Why you’ll love this mashed potatoes with cottage cheese recipe:

You’ll love this healthier loaded mashed potatoes because they are:

Made with cottage cheese: cottage cheese and mashed potatoes is truly a genius combination for a recipe. The cottage cheese not only adds protein but also enhances the texture and moisture to give you light, fluffy, and delicious mashed potatoes.
Full of flavor: Loading mashed potatoes with cheese, green onions, and chopped bacon gives you flavor in every spoonful.
Perfectly seasoned: The key to delicious mashed potatoes is the base… meaning the potatoes themselves and the seasonings you blend them with. This mashed potato recipe calls for plenty of seasonings and freshly minced garlic!
A tasty side dish: If you ever wonder what to pair with mashed potatoes, the answer is everything.. especially with the mashed potatoes taste this good! I like to pair mine with grilled steak, shredded chicken, or even a baked pork chop.

You and your family are going to love these loaded cottage cheese mashed potatoes. Now let’s get into the flavorful ingredients you will need to make them:

Ingredients you’ll need:

This mashed potatoes recipes calls for a few classic ingredients as well as a few fun additions like:

Russet potatoes: I like to use peeled russet potatoes for my mashed potatoes but you can also use yellow potatoes. The question you need to answer is whether you prefer them peeled or not peeled… this recipe works with both!
Cottage cheese: Mixing mashed potatoes with cottage cheese is a delicious way to cut down on calories, add protein, and enhance the creamy texture of your mashed potatoes! I prefer to use blended cottage cheese for this recipe so that it fully disappears.
Butter: I’m sorry… you simply cannot make mashed potatoes without butter. I don’t make the rules.
Milk: Add milk until your potatoes reach the creamy consistency that they want. If you prefer mashed potatoes without milk, you can skip it!
Bacon bits: I baked bacon while my potatoes cooked then chopped it into crispy bacon bits for this recipe. If you want to cut down on time, you can use pre-made bacon bits.
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese and monterey jack: use freshly shredded for this recipe.
Green onions: Finely dice your fresh green onions then add to your hearts desire.
Garlic: Garlic in mashed potatoes is a match made in heaven. It adds so much flavor to your potato base without adding any salt!
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder can all be added to taste. Feel free to add any other seasonings or herbs that you like in mashed potatoes!

That’s all you’ll need!

**Sheetpan Brussel Sprout and Sweet Potato Recipe**

Get the recipe

Step by Step Instructions:

Now let’s walk through how to make this mashed potato and cottage cheese recipe… because it’s actually a very quick and easy way to get the flavor of a loaded baked potato into a crowd friendly side dish.

Step 1:

Thoroughly wash then peel your russet potatoes. If you prefer your mashed potatoes to have some of the potato skins on them, then you can roughly peel or only peel a few of your mashed potatoes!

Step 2:

Chop your potatoes into evenly sized, 1 to 2 inch cubes then add to a large pot and completely cover with water. Salt your water with 2 tsp of salt and bring to a boil over medium to high heat. Boil your potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until fork tender.

Step 3:

Use a strainer to drain the water from your potatoes then place your potatoes back into the large pot. Roughly smash with a potato masher.

Step 4:

Place your cottage cheese into a blender or blender cup and blend until smooth.

Add in your blended cottage cheese, milk, minced garlic, seasonings, and butter to your potatoes and continue to mash with the potato smasher or blend with a hand blender until your mashed potatoes are the consistency that you want.

Step 5:

Prep your loaded mashed potatoe ingredients by chopping your bacon bits, shredding your cheese, and chopping your green onions. Fold these into your creamy mashed potatoes, reserving some of the ingredients for toppings.

Step 6:

Place your mashed potatoes in an oven save dish and top with the reserved shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until your cheese has melted. Serve warm and enjoy!

What to serve with mashed potatoes:

Alright, now that you have the perfect loaded mashed potatoes with cottage cheese recipe, let’s get to what to serve with mashed potatoes!

As a registered dietitian, I recommend that your meals include a protein, carb, and a color. The mashed potatoes will check the box on the carb (even though these are some mashed potatoes with protein from the cottage cheese). I recommend serving your mashed potatoes with a protein and color like:

A grilled protein: like steak, chicken, or salmon.
Air fryer proteins: Try these hot honey chicken tenders for a healthy meal that feels like a comfort food.
Shredded roast beef, pork shoulder, or chicken.
Baked chicken drumsticks: If you don’t have an air fryer, these baked chicken drumsticks are delicious with mashed potatoes!

Topped with cooked ground beef or shredded pork.
A simple salad: Try this kale and beet salad
Roasted vegetables: Try making these roasted brussels sprouts or this easy roasted beet and butternut squash side dish.
Balsamic and bacon brussel sprouts: Have leftover bacon bits? Use them to make this balsamic and bacon brussel sprout side dish for a colorful pairing!
Garlic green beans

And more! Make this recipe your own and tag me on instagram with any fun ideas you come up with!

Recipe FAQ:

How to store leftover mashed potatoes.
1. Didn't finish all the mashed potatoes? They store easily in the refrigerator in an air tight container for 3-5 days.
  When you are ready to reheat them, I recommend stirring in a little bit of milk, placing them in an oven safe container, and warming them in the oven until fully warmed through.
What potatoes make the best mashed potatoes?
1. That’s personal preference but my recommendation are russet potatoes or yellow potatoes! The starch content and flavor makes for delicious and creamy mashed potatoes.
Can I make mashed potatoes with greek yogurt instead?
1. Absolutely! If you do not have cottage cheese, you can swap it for greek yogurt instead. It does add more of a sour flavor to your mashed potatoes which is more similar to sour cream and pairs perfectly with the other flavors in these loaded mashed potatoes.

Other side dish recipes you will love:

Looking for other side dish recipes? I have a few on my blog that I think you will love:

Garlic Green Beans With Almonds

Get the recipe

Roasted parmesan brussels sprouts

Get the recipe

Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Beets

Get the recipe

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Loaded Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Loaded Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes