50+ Favorite Ways to Eat Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is one of those foods that people tend to love or hate. I have been a huge fan since first discovering its healthy diet food status back in the 1970s.

Because of its mild flavor it is a very versatile ingredient. And the health benefits of cottage cheese surpass many other cheeses.

Cottage cheese has about 14 grams of protein in a 4 ounce (½ cup) serving, is a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium, and is low in calories provided you choose a low fat or nonfat variety. Those following the Weight Watchers program will be happy to know that nonfat cottage cheese is on their Zero Points Foods List.

Can I Eat Cottage Cheese on a Low Carb Diet?

Not just for those following the WeightWatchers program, cottage cheese can be included in a low-carb diet. While it does contain some carbohydrates, it's relatively low in carbs, with around 3-6 grams of carbs per ½ cup serving. So it can be a convenient and nutritious option for low carb eaters.

50+ Favorite Easy + Healthy Ways To Enjoy Cottage Cheese

The benefits of cottage cheese go way beyond weight loss. One of the more versatile dairy products around, this healthy ingredient can be enjoyed in so many ways - on its own, with fresh fruit or salad, on toast, as a vintage Weight Watchers "Danish" and in a wide variety of both sweet and savory dishes.

Here are 50+ of my favorite ways to enjoy this classic diet food staple and one of my favorite foods...

 

Cottage Cheese with Fruit

A favorite way to eat cottage cheese is with fruit. It's a match made it heaven.

I love it for a high-protein breakfast and/or lunch during the summer. Just about any fruit will work - fresh, canned in fruit juice, or frozen. Delicious options include:

• Sliced bananas
• Crushed pineapple or pineapple chunks
• Fresh berries—blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combination
• Melon chunks or balls
• Fresh or canned peach slices
• Chunks of apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon
• Applesauce or apple butter
• Fill a halved peach or melon with cottage cheese for the ultimate "dieter's delight." It's a classic for good reason.
• Or get fancy and make this cottage cheese banana split

Check out these delicious cottage cheese breakfast bowls from Beth at Budget Bytes. Five creative ways are pictured in the following video: Apple Cinnamon, Savory Bowl, Blueberry Almond, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Tropical Bowl

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl Video

Savory Cottage Cheese Bowls

Indulge in a Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl, comprised of:

• a scoop of cottage cheese topped with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (affiliate link)
• a scoop of protein-packed tuna salad
• hard-boiled egg quarters
• crunchy cucumber chunks
• grape tomatoes
• chopped pickled beets

Here are three more savory cottage cheese bowl ideas:

1. Mediterranean: Start with a base of creamy cottage cheese. Top with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil (affiliate link) and a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing finish.
2. Southwestern: Begin with cottage cheese seasoned with a little chili powder and cumin. Add black beans, corn kernels, diced avocado, and sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of salsa or hot sauce.
3. Caprese-Inspired: Create a classic Caprese-inspired bowl by layering cottage cheese with sliced fresh mozzarella, ripe cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil (affiliate link) for a savory-sweet finish. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked black pepper for added flavor.

More savory toppings or stir-ins for cottage cheese

These toppings and stir-ins can add flavor, texture, and variety to your cottage cheese, making it a satisfying and savory snack or meal option. Feel free to mix and match ingredients based on your preferences and dietary needs. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations!

• Chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, or cilantro
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced avocado
• Crumbled bacon or turkey bacon
• Smoked salmon
• Sautéed spinach or kale
• Diced bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange)
• Sliced olives (black or green)
• Grilled or roasted vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.)
• Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Thinly sliced red onion or green onions
• Cooked and crumbled sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken)
• Pickled jalapeños or banana peppers
• Grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese
• Capers
• Hot sauce or sriracha for a spicy kick

Cottage Cheese Smoothies

If you are not a fan of the taste of cottage cheese, you may want to try blending it into it into your favorite fruit smoothie or green smoothie recipe for a high protein breakfast in a glass. This Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie is one of my personal favorites. Here are more great easy healthy cottage cheese smoothies and shakes to consider:

1. Low Fat Carrot Cake Cottage Cheese Smoothie (Simple Nourished Living)
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake (Simple Nourished Living)
3. Blueberry Peach Protein Shake (Simple Nourished Living)
4. Easy Sugar Free High Protein Chocolate Smoothie (Sugar Free Mom)
5. Cottage Cheese Protein Shake (Sweet as Honey)
6. Mango Passionfruit Cottage Cheese Smoothie (WeightWatchers)
7. Pineapple Cheesecake Protein Shake (Hungry Girl)

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Make Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Adding cottage cheese to pancake batter is a great way to boost the protein content of your breakfast without sacrificing flavor.

Cottage Cheese Muffins & Breads

Stir into muffin batter. Here are a few more recipes for cottage cheese muffins both sweet and savory:

1. Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins (Love and Zest)
2. Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins with Ham & Cheddar (Kalyn's Kitchen)
3. Strawberry Cottage Cheese Muffins (WeightWatchers)
4. Cottage Cheese Omelet Muffins (Slender Kitchen)
5. Cottage Cheese Dill Bread without Yeast (Cookie Madness)
6. CrockPot Cottage Cheese Spinach Spoon Bread (Simple Nourished Living)
7. Plain & Simple Cottage Cheese Muffins (Andianne)
8. Cottage Cheese Biscuits (Taste of Homemade)

Cottage Cheese Pasta

Stir cottage cheese into hot pasta.  It gets warm and creamy and is especially good with lots of freshly ground pepper and maybe a little grated Parmesan. Reserve a little of your pasta water before draining it and add a splash or two if the mixture seem too thick. If the chunkiness of cottage cheese is a concern, give it a whirl in your blender (affiliate link) or food processor (affiliate link) to make it smooth before using. 

Here's another delicious Simple Pasta Recipe Featuring Cottage Cheese...

Substitute for Ricotta Cheese

Use cottage cheese in place of ricotta cheese in your favorite recipe. Here are a few delicious examples:

1. Lasagna recipes
2. Baked Pasta with Zucchini and Cottage Cheese in Casserole Dish 
3. Mom's Easy Baked Ziti  
4. Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Substitute for Sour Cream

Use cottage cheese as a substitute for sour cream in all your favorite recipes. First buzz it in a blender (affiliate link) or food processor (affiliate link), You may want to add the tiniest bit of boiling water to make it make it extra creamy. Use it to make lighter healthier dips, as a topping for a potato or any place you would normally use sour cream. 

Top a Baked Potato

Indulge in a comforting and nutritious treat with a cottage cheese topped potato. A fluffy baked potato  generously topped with creamy cottage cheese, creates a satisfying and wholesome meal or snack. This simple yet delicious dish is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option. Here's all there is to it. 

1. Use a knife to cut a slit lengthwise across the top of the cooked potato, being careful not to cut all the way through.
2. Use a fork to fluff the inside of the potato, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Spoon the cottage cheese generously over the top of the potato, allowing it to melt slightly from the heat of the potato.
4. Garnish with your favorite toppings such as chopped chives, diced tomatoes, or crispy bacon bits.

This will work with sweet potatoes too.

You can also add a dollop of salsa like I did in this baked potato with salsa or make double stuffed baked potatoes. For an incredible quick, easy and healthy lunch or dinner, one of my favorite ways to eat cottage cheese I learned years ago from Weight Watchers.

Cottage Cheese Toast

Use cottage cheese for a vintage Weigh Watchers "danish." I love cottage cheese toast made with raisin bread, then sprinkled with cinnamon and chopped walnuts. Or make this vintage "WW Danish".

Spread it on thin slices of apple

For a low carb option skip the toast and spread your cottage cheese directly on thinly sliced apples. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and/or finely chopped nuts for protein packed breakfast or a healthy after school snack.

Add Cottage Cheese To Eggs

Stir in a spoonful or two to make cottage cheese scrambled eggs.  It'll give you the cheesy flavor you crave with an extra dose of protein while making the eggs extra creamy.  More ways to combine cottage cheese with eggs:

1. Spinach and Feta Crustless Quiche
2. Hearty Breakfast Casserole (Pointed Kitchen)
3. Denver Omelet Bake (Skinnyish Dish)
4. Three Cheese Broccoli Brunch Bake (Emily Bites)
5. Skinny Sausage & Egg Breakfast Casserole (Cookin Cannuck)
6. Lightened Up Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites (The Pound Dropper)

Cottage Cheese Dips and Spreads

Create a creamy cottage cheese dip by combining your favorite seasonings with it in the blender (affiliate link) or food processor (affiliate link). Lemon pepper, Mrs. Dash, Old Bay and Herbamare all work well, as do any of your favorite dried and/or fresh herbs and spices.

It's a great high protein, low fat, low carb alternative to dips made with cream cheese or sour cream. If you are not bothered by the texture of cottage cheese you can just stir your seasonings together. Here are some easy healthy cottage cheese dip recipes to inspire you:

1. Everything Cottage Cheese Dip (WeightWatchers)
2. Cottage Cheese Sun-Dried Tomato Dip (WeightWatchers)
3. Cottage Cheese Pizza Dip (Hungry Girl)
4. 2-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip (Recipe Diaries)
5. 5-minute Cottage Cheese French Onion Dip (Lindsay Pleskot RD)
6. Skinny Mexican Cottage Cheese Dip (Kim's Cravings)
7. Honey Cottage Cheese Fruit Dip (Budget Bytes)

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Super Simple Cottage Cheese Olive Oil Spread

Food doesn't get much faster than this. This is best with large-curd cottage cheese, those small curd cottage cheese will also work. Put some on a plate, season with sea salt and coarse freshly ground black pepper, then drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil (affiliate link) over the top. Enjoy the finished product with whole grain bread or crackers.

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Cottage Cheese Salads

Cottage cheese can be used in all kinds of salad recipes. Sub it for mayo when you make tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, etc.  Add a bunch of vegetables to create a refreshing summertime side dish. Or use it with sweeter options. Here are several light and delicious recipes for you to consider:

1. Grandma's Cottage Cheese Salad (Sweet Little Bluebird)
2. Easy Orange Delight Salad (Simple Nourished Living)
3. Healthy Cottage Egg Cheese Salad (Goodness Avenue)
4. Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad (Simply Recipes)

More Favorite Toppings and/or Stir-Ins for Cottage Cheese - Sweet & Savory

1. Chopped roasted peppers, a drizzle of olive oil, and salt and pepper
2. A sprinkle of za'atar or everything but the bagel seasoning blend and grated cucumber or sliced scallion
3. Chopped tomatoes and cucumber, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper
4. Combine cottage cheese with chopped scallions, a splash of hot sauce and salt and pepper
5. Add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, golden syrup, date syrup, agave or your favorite flavored syrup
6. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar or sweetener and cocoa powder/espresso powder
7. A dollop of jam and sprinkle of toasted nuts is a simple way to satisfy your sweet tooth
8. Nut Butter

Cottage Cheese Ice Cream & Other Desserts

Do you love ice cream but not all the added sugar and fat found in most store-bought varieties? Have you tried easy homemade cottage cheese ice cream? It's gone viral across the internet and on TikTok. Here are some recipes for cottage cheese ice cream and other desserts:

1. Cherry Chocolate Chip Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (Simple Nourished Living)
2. 5-minute Cottage Cheesecake Cups (Simple Nourished Living)
3. Whipped Cottage Cheese Dessert Cups (The Dinner Mom)
4. Easiest Chocolate Pudding (WeightWatchers)
5. Crustless Vanilla Cottage Cheese Cheesecake (WeightWatchers)

FAQS

Are you put off by the lumpy texture of cottage cheese?

To give your cottage cheese a creamy texture, give it a whirl in a food processor (affiliate link) or blender (affiliate link). Then it becomes a healthier alternative to sour cream with fewer calories in your favorite dip recipe or as a tasty topping for baked potatoes. This was a popular low fat alternative back in the "old days" before Greek yogurt came into vogue.

This smooth whipped cottage cheese is also delicious slathered on a bagel, or pancakes, with jam.

Wondering How Long Cottage Cheese Will Last?

Here's a helpful article outlining all kinds of facts about this fresh cheese, including how long it will last in the fridge after opening.

How Do You Make Homemade Cottage Cheese?

As a lazy cook, I've never considered making cottage cheese myself. You can find it at most any grocery story. I'm sure the fresh homemade version tastes amazing.

So if you're curious here's a Quick Cottage Cheese Recipe from Alton Brown at the Food Network.

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

More Healthy Delicious Cottage Cheese Recipes

• Cottage Cheese Waffles (SnackGirl)
• Healthy Sour Cream Substitute (TheYummyLife)
• Tuna, Cottage Cheese & Avocado Salad (RecipeDiaries)
• 25 Uses of Cottage Cheese (Devour the Blog)
• Cheesy Guacamole (The National Dairy Council)

This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!

Originally posted 9/17; Updated with new content, photos and videos 1/23; Updates with new content photos 2/24