Cottage cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's high in protein, low in calories, and has a mild flavor that pairs well with both sweet and savory foods. Whether you eat it plain, add it to oatmeal, or use it as a base for dips and sauces, cottage cheese is a great way to boost the nutritional value of your meals.
Why Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is more than just good for you; it's great for you. Many health-conscious cooks have known for some time just how incredibly versatile cottage cheese really is. It may have taken the world a while to catch on to the benefits of this low-cal powerhouse, but now cottage cheese is having a moment.
Nutritional Benefits
Cottage cheese is a nutritional powerhouse, offering a wealth of benefits:
- High in Protein: Protein is essential for muscle building, repair, and overall health. Experts generally recommend consuming 1.2 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein, making it a valuable addition to any diet.
- Low in Calories: Cottage cheese is relatively low in calories, making it a great option for those watching their weight.
- Versatile: Its mild flavor and creamy texture make cottage cheese a perfect base for both savory and sweet dishes.
- Gluten-Free: Cottage cheese is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
What is Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is technically a type of fresh cheese, with a creamy texture more similar to yogurt or sour cream. The process of making cottage cheese is simple. Like with most cheeses, acid is added to milk. This separates the milk solids, which are called curds, from the liquids, which are called whey. The curds are then cut into small pieces, rinsed, and lightly salted. Cottage cheese tastes a lot like cream, but it has a hint of sourness and saltiness. It’s really rich and tastes a lot like a mild cheese.
Choosing the Right Cottage Cheese
The type of cottage cheese you use is up to personal preference. When selecting cottage cheese, consider the following:
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- Organic: Opt for organic dairy products free from antibiotics and hormones (like rbST). Good Culture cottage cheese, Organic Valley, and Nancy’s are recommended organic brands.
- Sodium Content: Cottage cheese tends to be really high in sodium. Friendship Dairies no salt added, small curd 1% cottage cheese (in the red container) is a lower-sodium option.
- Curd Size: Cottage cheese comes in different curd sizes (small, medium, large). Choose the curd size that you prefer.
Savory Cottage Cheese Recipes
Cottage cheese isn't just for breakfast; it can also be used in a variety of savory dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Viral Hot Honey Ground Beef Bowls: These bowls have 42 grams of protein and are a healthy and flavorful dinner option.
- Easy Healthy Lasagna Recipe: This lasagna is cheesy, gooey, creamy, and has received numerous 5-star reviews.
- Creamy Protein Soup: This soup comes together in just 30 minutes and has 39 grams of protein per serving.
- Protein Pasta: This vegetarian pasta dish features a creamy, savory, garlicky sauce made from cottage cheese. It boasts 37g of protein and is ready in 25 minutes.
- Spinach & Mushroom Vegetarian Lasagna: This lasagna is easy to make and can be prepped in advance.
- Broccoli Cheddar Ham Pasta Casserole: This casserole has 42 grams of protein and is a hearty, filling meal.
- Vegetarian Baked Ziti: This 30-minute healthy dinner idea includes mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, and cottage cheese.
- Chicken Alla Vodka Pasta: This recipe combines the classic flavor of vodka sauce with chicken and offers a healthier, high-protein twist.
- High-Protein Savory Waffles: Enjoy thick, fluffy, and flavorful savory waffles.
- Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl: Ready in 5 minutes perfect for a quick nourishing meal.
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce: This alfredo sauce is rich and creamy but secretly healthy!
- One-Pan Skillet Lasagna: This lasagna is loaded with ground beef, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and protein for an easy, comforting dinner.
- Cottage Cheese Cacio e Pepe: This dish is a creamy, protein-boosted twist on the Italian classic.
- Macro-Friendly Zucchini Lasagna: This zucchini lasagna gives all the warm-comforting feels with a healthy twist.
- Spaghetti Squash Marinara: Pair it with your favorite protein for the BEST weeknight meal.
- Almost Classic Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad: This salad is inspired by classic chicken salad but is a lot easier to fit into your daily macros.
- Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs: This cottage cheese scrambled eggs recipe is a game-changer.
- Cottage Cheese Vegetable Dip: This protein-packed Cottage Cheese Vegetable Dip is creamy & savory.
- Cottage Cheese Queso Dip: This queso dip is lightened up and high in protein.
Sweet Cottage Cheese Recipes
Cottage cheese can also be used in a variety of sweet recipes, adding a creamy texture and a boost of protein. Here are some ideas:
- Cottage Cheese Cinnamon Rolls: These cinnamon rolls are soft, have a cinnamon sugar filling, and are topped with a cottage cheese glaze.
- Cottage Cheese Muffins: These muffins have 6 grams of protein and are loved by kids.
- Lemon Blueberry Muffins: These muffins are made in under 40 minutes with a blender and a bowl.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Breakfast Parfait: This parfait has 18 grams of protein and is a great way to start the day.
- Cottage Cheese Pancakes: These pancakes are super fluffy, thick, and light, and are made with blended cottage cheese.
- Churro Cheesecake Baked Oats: These oats have a creamy, thick baked oatmeal base, topped with cinnamon-sugar and a chocolate drizzle.
- Strawberry “Drop” Pancake Bites: These pancake bites are light, fluffy, and higher in protein.
- Cottage Cheese Waffles: These waffles are low calorie, high protein, and perfectly thick, light, and fluffy.
- Pumpkin Protein Pancakes: These pancakes have 17 grams of protein and are full of cozy fall flavors.
- Cookie Dough Overnight Oats: These oats taste just like real cookie dough.
- Gingerbread Cottage Cheese Pancakes: These pancakes are made with gingerbread spices for a healthy breakfast treat.
- Apple Pie Protein Pancakes: These pancakes have 17 grams of protein and taste like dessert for breakfast.
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream: This ice cream is creamy, sweet, and can be customized with mix-ins and toppings.
- Strawberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream: This ice cream has 21 grams of protein and can be blended in just 5 minutes.
- Cottage Cheese Brownies: These brownies have 6 grams of protein and are made with wholesome ingredients.
- Date Shake: Recreate your own version of the infamous Date Shake at home.
- Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: This healthy ice cream treat is creamy and delicious.
- Protein Cookie Dough: This cookie dough is a healthy treat that tastes just like real edible cookie dough.
- Pistachio Cottage Cheese Ice Cream: This ice cream has a pistachio flavor and is made with cottage cheese for a healthy treat.
- Date Cake: This cake is sweet, moist, higher in protein, and made with cottage cheese.
- Cookie Dough Ice Cream: This ice cream is perfectly sweet, creamy, and higher in protein.
- Pumpkin Ice Cream: This ice cream is a favorite fall tradition.
- Chocolate Banana Protein Pops: These pops are rich, creamy, and made from just five simple ingredients.
- Mini Lemon Cottage Cheesecakes: These mini cheesecakes strike the perfect balance between tangy and sweet.
- Gingerbread Cottage Cheese Pudding: This pudding is great as a festive breakfast or dessert.
- Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse: This cottage cheese chocolate mousse recipe is rich, silky smooth, and satisfying.
- Tasty Ice Cream: This tasty ice cream is made with frozen fruit and cottage cheese for a healthy treat that is creamy and delicious!
- Apple Crisp Yogurt and Cottage Cheese Bowl: If you want a little something fancy for breakfast (or an afternoon snack) this apple crisp yogurt and cottage cheese bowl is perfect!
- Chia Seed Pudding: This chia seed pudding is a great meal to start your day with.
- Peaches and Cottage Cheese with Brown Sugar and Pistachios: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a breakfast with more protein than this one.
- Blended Cottage Cheese with Roasted Strawberries: This is a great recipe if you don’t like the lumps in cottage cheese.
Tips for Cooking with Cottage Cheese
- Blending: If you're not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese, blend it until smooth. This works well for sauces, dips, and smoothies.
- Versatility: Cottage cheese can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Don't be afraid to experiment!
- Storage: Leftover pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them! Just let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Simple Cottage Cheese Pancake Recipe
Here's a basic recipe for cottage cheese pancakes:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup almond milk (optional)
- Non-stick spray
- Maple syrup and fresh berries for serving
Instructions:
- Combine flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla to a blender or food processor and blend until combined and smooth. Alternatively, whisk your wet ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. If your batter seems too thick add in the almond milk and stir to combine again.
- Heat pan or griddle to low-medium heat and spray with non-stick spray. Once hot, scoop out about a quarter cup of batter at a time and pour onto pan. You may have to use a spoon to spread the batter into a circle shape if your batter is pretty thick. You should be able to make 8 pancakes.
- Cook until little bubbles form and the edges of the pancakes are solid enough to put a spatula underneath, about 4-5 minutes.
- Flip the pancakes and cook for 2-3 additional minutes.
- For serving, place four pancakes on each plate, top with a drizzle of maple syrup and serve with fresh berries or toppings of choice.
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