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When I want a healthy lunch that is quick, fresh, and a little different from my usual salads, these Cottage Cheese and Salsa Pita Sandwiches are one of my favorite options. They are vegetarian friendly, high in protein, full of crunch, and so easy to adapt based on what you have in your fridge. I first found the idea in the Weight Watchers PointsPlus Power Foods Cookbook (affiliate link) and have been making my own variations ever since.
You can use any salsa you love, from mild tomato salsa to pico de gallo, salsa verde, or even a spicy roasted version. With so many choices, it is easy to switch up the flavor so the sandwiches never get boring. Stuff everything into whole wheat pita halves with crisp lettuce and you have a simple, satisfying lunch ready in minutes.
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Calories and WW Points
- How to Make Cottage Cheese and Salsa Pita Sandwiches, Step-by-Step
- Recipe Notes and Serving Suggestions
- Cottage Cheese and Salsa Pita Sandwiches Recipe
- More WW-Friendly Cottage Cheese Recipes
- If You Want Even More Easy, WW Friendly Recipes
Why I Love This Recipe
Simple and fresh. Just a handful of everyday ingredients.
Protein packed. Cottage cheese keeps the sandwich filling without many calories.
Easy to customize. Use your favorite salsa, greens, and veggies.
Great for meal prep. Make the filling ahead and assemble when ready to eat.
Light and WW friendly. A healthy lunch option that fits naturally into a slow and steady weight loss plan.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Fat free cottage cheese – Adds creaminess and protein. Low-fat or 2 percent cottage cheese also work, but will increase the WW Points.
- Cucumber– Adds crunch and freshness. Diced bell pepper or radishes are good alternatives.
- Salsa or pico de gallo – Use mild, medium, or hot. Salsa verde also works well.
- Fresh cilantro – Adds brightness. Use parsley if you prefer.
- Ground cumin – Gives a hint of warmth and flavor.
- Whole wheat pita bread – I use 6 inch pitas. Tortillas, wraps, or English muffins also work if you do not have pitas.
- Bibb lettuce leaves – Soft and mild. Romaine, iceberg, or spinach work just as well. I also like baby arugula in these sandwiches.
Calories and WW Points
According to my calculations, each serving has:
- Calories: 264
- WW Points: To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
How to Make Cottage Cheese and Salsa Pita Sandwiches, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather and prep
Step 2: Make cottage cheese filling
Add the cottage cheese, cucumber, salsa, cilantro and cumin to a medium bowl and mix well.
Step 3: Prepare Pitas
Cut pitas in half and if desired, gently warm in microwave (affiliate link) or toaster oven.
Step 4: Stuff Pitas
Stuff each pita half with 2 lettuce leaves and 1/4 of the cottage cheese mixture.
Step 5: Store
Store any leftover cottage cheese mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes and Serving Suggestions
- Make the filling ahead and store it in the refrigerator for an easy grab-and-go lunch.
- Use your favorite salsa variety to change the flavor. Mild, medium, hot, roasted, salsa verde, or pico de gallo all work.
- Bibb lettuce is soft and tender, but romaine, iceberg, spinach, or mixed greens are all good alternatives.
- For a lower calorie option, enjoy half a pita with a side salad or a bowl of soup.
- Add leftover cottage cheese salsa mixture to scrambled eggs, omelets, or on top of a baked potato.
Be sure to check out these WW Friendly lunch ideas: Easy Greek Tuna Stuffed Pita, Veggie Hummus Pita Sandwich, Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Pitas and Crispy Pita Pizza
If you’ve made these low-calorie Salsa and Cottage Cheese Pita Sandwiches, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Cottage Cheese and Salsa Pita Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 (6-inch) whole wheat pita breads
- 8 Bibb lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese, cucumber, salsa, cilantro and cumin to a medium bowl and mix well.
- Cut pitas in half and if desired, gently warm in microwave (affiliate link) or toaster oven.
- Stuff each pita half with 2 lettuce leaves and 1/4 of the cottage cheese mixture.
- Store any leftover cottage cheese mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) Make these ahead by mixing up the salsa and cottage cheese mixture and storing in an airtight container. Cut the pita bread in half and wrap the pita and lettuce separately. Assemble sandwiches just before eating. Use your favorite style of salsa in mild, medium or hot. Or maybe your prefer salsa verde or pico de gallo—the choice is yours. Bibb lettuce has a nice mild flavor. Boston lettuce, like Bibb is in the butter lettuce family, and another good option. You could also use ice berg, spinach or Romaine to make these pitas.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Weight Watchers PointsPlus Power Foods Cookbook (affiliate link)
More WW-Friendly Cottage Cheese Recipes
- Baked Potato Stuffed with Cottage Cheese and Salsa – If you love simple, comforting meals, this baked potato topped with cottage cheese and salsa is a quick and satisfying option. It offers plenty of protein and flavor while staying light enough for a WW friendly lunch or dinner.
- Vintage WW Cottage Cheese Danish – A nostalgic Weight Watchers favorite, this cottage cheese Danish has been enjoyed for decades. It delivers that cozy, sweet-and-creamy flavor you want from a pastry but in a much lighter, WW friendly way.
- Baked Pasta with Cottage Cheese and Zucchini – This easy baked pasta dish combines tender zucchini, hearty pasta, and creamy cottage cheese for a lighter take on comfort food. It is a great weeknight option when you want something warm, filling, and still WW friendly.
- Favorite Ways to Eat Cottage Cheese – If you enjoy cottage cheese as much as I do, you will love this collection of simple, delicious ways to use it. From sweet to savory, these ideas make it easy to add more protein to your meals and snacks throughout the week.
If You Want Even More Easy, WW Friendly Recipes
Take a look at my Ultimate eCookbook Bundle, filled with simple, comforting, practical recipes to support your slow and steady weight loss journey.
I will have to try this idea never thought to add to bread. I typically eat cottage cheese mixed with salsa every morning for breakfast. Never thought to add cucumbers or cilantro to it either. Adding pinapples, peaches or mango may be great too. I highly recommend trying any of the Aldi’s specialty selects salsas to mix in. All are delicious and good way to change flavors up.
Thanks for the Aldi salsa recommendation. ~Martha
That looks disgusting. Perhaps instead of mixing the cottage cheese in, you could layer it over the salsa to be more visually appealing. Or perhaps use a blender to blend with the salsa. Then put cucumbers over that?
I understand this is a low cal recipe, but we also eat with our eyes and that looks like vomit in a pita.
Thanks for the suggestions.