Looking for an easy way to boost your protein intake? Start with these 19 cottage cheese recipes. Most of them are packed with 20+++ grams of protein per serving!
Have you noticed cottage cheese is having a moment on social media? Cottage cheese ice cream has gone viral, although I’ve yet to try it. If you have any favorite recipes, LMK! I’ve always been a fan, though. I even like my mom’s cottage cheese and pineapple jello salad. LOL.
Still, cottage cheese can be pretty polarizing. Some people, like me, think it’s one of the best things ever. Others (maybe you?) aren’t as enamored.
No matter where you stand, I think you’ll find something you’ll love in this round-up of 19 delicious recipes!
19 Delicious Cottage Cheese Recipes
Cottage cheese is such a versatile ingredient, as evidenced by these healthy, creative, and delicious cottage cheese recipes I can’t wait to share with you! Choose from sweet and savory recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a nourishing snack. You’ll find lots of delicious flavor combinations to choose from!
Sweet Cottage Cheese Recipes
1. Easy Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Raspberries
These cottage cheese pancakes are lightly sweetened with maple syrup and topped with raspberries (or any favorite berries) for a satisfying and delicious breakfast. So good!
2. Blackberry Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Smoothie
This gorgeous purple cottage cheese smoothie is almost too pretty to drink! You’d never know it by the color, but there’s also a generous serving of leafy greens. So delicious and good for you too! Get the recipe: Blackberry Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Smoothie.
3. High Protein Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
These overnight oats with cottage cheese are great for meal prep and have over 25 grams of protein without protein powder. Add in your favorite fruit to customize seasonally.
4. Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this yummy protein-packed breakfast bowl for one. Use any nuts, seeds, and berries you have on hand to top off this nourishing & delicious cantaloupe cottage cheese bowl!
5. High Protein Chocolate Cheesecake Cherry Smoothie
This protein-packed smoothie made with only 5 ingredients, including cottage cheese, is on repeat at my house. It’s super easy to make, and so delicious-perfect for a healthy breakfast or post-workout snack.
6. Mango Whipped Cottage Cheese
This mango cottage cheese is made in your food processor with 3 ingredients and is such a great way to enjoy a high protein, tropical-flavored snack.
7. High Protein Healthy Strawberry Cottage Cheese Cheesecake Bites
These High Protein Cheesecake Bites have a deliciously creamy texture and rich cheesecake filling. Two of them contain 20g of protein, perfect for a post-workout snack, and may become one of your new favorite desserts.
8. Whipped Cottage Cheese with Almond Butter & Banana
These whipped cottage cheese bowls make such a nutritious, delicious breakfast. They’re loaded with creamy whipped cottage cheese, fresh bananas, almond butter, and a drizzle of honey and other toppings.
9. Pumpkin Whipped Cottage Cheese
This pumpkin whipped cottage cheese is the creaminess, silkiest, healthy dessert you will ever have! It is loaded with protein from cottage cheese, vitamins, and fiber from the pumpkin. Just 5 minutes to whip this up!
Savory Cottage Cheese Recipes
10. Eggs, Cottage Cheese, & Microgreens
This easy protein packed recipe featuring cottage cheese, hard or soft boiled eggs, and veggies is a delicious meal anytime of the day!
11. Sous Vide Egg Bites with Hatch Chile Cheddar Cheese
These chile and cheese egg bites are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast! Loaded with eggs, cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese, they’re also a high protein, low carb breakfast.
12. Bitchin’ Sweet Potato Cottage Cheese Power Bowl
This combo may sound a little strange, but take my word, this Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes Power Bowl with Kale, Cottage Cheese, Pumpkin Seeds, & Spicy Bitchin’ Sauce will make your taste buds jump for joy!
13. Roasted Garlic Cottage Cheese Dip
With just 5 simple ingredients, this protein-packed cottage cheese dip is easy and delicious. Pairs wonderfully with gluten-free crackers, veggies, or meatballs!
14. Healthy Texas Lasagna
This Texas lasagna features corn tortillas instead of noodles and a mix of cottage cheese and cheddar instead of traditional mozzarella and ricotta. It’s a nourishing meal everyone will love!
15. Savory Cottage Cheese Toast
Use your favorite gluten-free bread to make this savory cottage cheese toast! This will surely be a new lunchtime staple made with a few simple ingredients and ready in 10 minutes!
16. Spiced Ethiopian Cottage Cheese w/ Collard Greens (Ayib Be Gomen)
An Ethiopian dish inspires this spiced cottage cheese over sautéed collard greens, and it is such a great way to enjoy savory cottage cheese and get some vegetarian protein in your diet.
17. Easy Crustless Italian Spinach Pie Recipe
This savory Crustless Italian Spinach Pie is filled with flavor! Enjoy roasted red peppers, spinach, and high protein from eggs and cottage cheese.
18. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (without Cream Cheese)
This healthy buffalo chicken dip uses cottage cheese and Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese to form a delicious high-protein dip! The perfect easy and satisfying appetizer or lighter meal!
19. Copycat Starbucks Egg White Bites without Sous Vide Machine
These Egg White Bites are just like the Starbucks egg white bites, but they are a lot less money, and you can make them at home! They are loaded with protein from eggs, cottage cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and bell pepper and are the perfect healthy breakfast for a busy morning.
More Ways to Enjoy Cottage Cheese
- Cottage cheese makes a delicious high-protein snack on its own or with your favorite toppings like fresh berries, pineapple, banana slices, shredded coconut, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
- Make a creamy salad dressing by blending cottage cheese with olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings of choice.
- Swap heavy cream with cottage cheese to lower the fat content of creamy soups. Use an immersion blender to puree.
- Use cottage cheese mixed with chopped fresh spinach in lasagna recipes.
- Top a baked potato with cottage cheese, green peas, green onions, fresh herbs, and ground black pepper. Yum!
- If you like the taste of cottage cheese but not the texture, blend it into a smoothie for extra protein or turn it into ice cream!
Healthy Food! Cottage Cheese Nutrition & Health Benefits
Not only is cottage cheese low in calories and high in protein, but it’s also packed with important nutrients that can help improve your overall health. Here are just a few of the many health benefits of cottage cheese:
1. High in protein: Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue. It’s also a great option for vegetarians who may struggle to get enough protein in their diet.
2. Low in calories: Cottage cheese is a relatively low-calorie food, especially low and non-fat varieties, making it a great choice for weight loss. It’s also a good option for anyone who wants to snack without consuming too many calories. And it’s low-carb for anyone following a low-carb diet.
Related: 23 Healthy Meal Prep Ideas for Weight Loss
3. Rich in calcium: Cottage cheese is a good source of calcium, which is important for bone health. Calcium also plays a role in muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. Following a DASH diet to lower your blood pressure? Low-fat cottage cheese and other dairy products are just what this dietitian ordered!
4. Gut healthy: Certain cottage cheese brands contain probiotics, beneficial bacteria that help support a healthy gut microbiome, which is important for digestion and overall health. Good Culture and Nancy’s Probiotic Cottage Cheese, which has a tangy flavor, are two brands I like that contain probiotics. If you have lactose intolerance or IBS and are following a low FODMAP diet Good Culture, and Lactaid all make lactose-free cottage cheese.
Cottage Cheese Nutrition
- 1 cup of cottage cheese (2% low-fat cottage cheese) has 160 calories, 28 g protein, 5 g fat (3 g saturated), and 6 g carbohydrates.
- 1 cup of full-fat cottage cheese has 220 calories, 28 g protein, 9 g fat (6 g saturated), and 6 g carbohydrates.
There you have it! 19 protein-packed and delicious cottage cheese recipes! Which ones will you try first???
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