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Cottage Cheese Recipes

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Cottage cheese is having a moment and I am here for it! Check out my easy, high protein cottage cheese recipes that are super delicious!

Cottage Cheese Recipes
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Cottage Cheese Recipes

Cottage cheese is such an underrated ingredient. Many people don’t realize how delicious it is or how many ways you can use it in recipes. But can I tell you a secret? It is one of my favorite ways to add protein and nutrients to a wide variety of recipes. You can eat cottage cheese plain in bowls with fruit or raw veggies, make cottage cheese toast, turn it into cottage cheese eggs, or cottage cheese pasta like this lasagna and stuffed shells. Whipped cottage cheese can replace cream cheese on bagels, or you can use it on avocado toast for a high protein breakfast. The opportunities are endless and today I’m sharing 14 simple ways I use cottage cheese in my kitchen.

Why I Love Cottage Cheese!

Gina @ Skinnytaste.com

People are often surprised to learn that I often eat cottage cheese as part of a healthy, high-protein diet. Cottage cheese is more than just good for you… it’s great for you! Here are some reasons I think you’ll love these cottage cheese recipes:

  • High protein & low calorie: One cup of low-fat cottage cheese has a whopping 26 grams of protein with only 91 calories!
  • Budget-Friendly: Cottage cheese is a cost-effective source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients.
  • Flexible: Its mild flavor and creamy texture make cottage cheese a perfect base for both savory and sweet dishes. It can be added to many recipes to boost both flavor and protein.

Not a fan of the texture? If you’re not a fan of the curds in cottage cheese not to worry. There many ways to use it in recipes where the curds go completely unnoticed.

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cottage cheese topped with veggies

14+ Easy Cottage Cheese Recipes to Try

I’m sharing my favorite healthy cottage cheese recipes to get you started. Each recipe bursts with flavor and is loaded with good-for-you nutrients. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, these recipes deliver deliciousness every time!

High Protein Whipped Cottage Cheese Bowls

Whipped Cottage Cheese Bowls

These quick and easy, high-protein Whipped Cottage Cheese Bowls, topped with fruit and almonds, are perfect for breakfast or as a snack for sweet treats.
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Skillet Beef Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna Recipe

This one-pan skillet lasagna is loaded with ground beef, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and protein for an easy, comforting dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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Cottage Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups With Cottage Cheese

This easy lasagna recipe with cottage cheese is perfect for weeknight dinners. It’s also vegetarian, can be made gluten-free and easy to make ahead.
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cottage cheese topped with veggies

Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl

Most people think of topping cottage cheese with fruit. But it’s excellent when mixed with vegetables and other savory ingredients. This dish is filled with cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and green onions. A sprinkle of pistachios adds crunch and takes this recipe to the next level.
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High-Protein Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese Eggs

Scrambled eggs are already a healthy breakfast. Adding cottage cheese gives your scrambled eggs an extra hit of protein, while also making them creamier and more flavorful.
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Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells with Cottage Cheese

I used to turn my nose up when people told me they were making Italian dishes with cottage cheese. But cottage cheese brands have come a long way! In fact, my daughter actually prefers many Italian classics with cottage cheese instead of ricotta. This simple stuffed shells recipe is one of her favorites.
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Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

Cottage Cheese Cheesecake Recipe

This low-calorie New York-style cheesecake is made with a combination of cottage cheese and cream cheese, blended together for a creamy and delicious dessert! No one will even know!
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Burst Tomato Cottage Cheese Caprese Bowl

Burst Tomato Cottage Cheese Caprese Bowl

A caprese salad is one of my favorite lunches. But this recipe makes caprese salad a lot healthier, by replacing the mozzarella cheese with cottage cheese. The tomatoes are cooked in an air fryer, which gives them a rich, sweet flavor. The flavors are dynamic and totally delicious.
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Protein Bagels

Protein Bagels with Cottage Cheese

Whip up a batch of these quick and easy protein bagels with cottage cheese for breakfast or lunch in less than 30 minutes – they come out perfect!
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Egg White Muffins with Turkey Bacon, Cottage Cheese and Veggies

Egg White Muffins with Turkey Bacon, Cottage Cheese, and Veggies

These egg white muffins are loaded with egg whites, cottage cheese, bell pepper, broccoli, scallions, and shallots. They're baked in a muffin tin with turkey bacon, and topped with a little cheddar cheese.
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High Protein Cottage Cheese Veggie Dip

High Protein Cottage Cheese Veggie Dip

High Protein Cottage Cheese Veggie Dip is a delicious and healthy snack or personal appetizer that’s easy to make and perfect for any time of day. A great way to get those veggies in!
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Very Berry Cottage Cheese Bowl

Berry Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl

This dish is like your favorite parfait, but with cottage cheese! The cottage cheese is placed in a bowl and topped with fresh berries, slivered almonds, and a drizzle of honey. It’s about as simple of a breakfast recipe as you could make. But it’s so healthy and delicious.
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Waffles with strawberries, peanut butter and bananas.

High Protein Oat Waffles

This is one of my favorite waffle recipes, and it has so much flavor and protein. The cottage cheese helps keep these gluten-free waffles tender and moist, while also adding a tart flavor. Top them with fresh fruit and maple syrup for a perfect breakfast.
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Pineapple Chia with Cottage Cheese

Pineapple Chia with Cottage Cheese

This chia seed pudding is a great meal to start your day with. Chia seeds are soaked in pineapple juice overnight until they’re soft and sweet. Then they’re topped with cottage cheese and fresh pineapple. It’s refreshing, healthy, and incredibly easy to make.
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Peach Pie Cottage Cheese Bowls

Peach Pie Cottage Cheese Bowls

Peaches are one of my favorite foods to eat with cottage cheese. The sweet fruit and the creamy, sour dairy just go so well together. This recipe takes peaches to the next level by cooking them with brown sugar and cinnamon. Some pistachios are added for crunch, with a little bit of honey for extra sweetness. It’s fantastic!
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This protein-packed Cottage Cheese Egg Bake with spinach and chicken sausage is filling and delicious. Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a salad and some crusty bread.

Cottage Cheese Egg and Sausage Frittata

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a breakfast with more protein than this one. The base of this frittata is eggs, chicken sausage, and cottage cheese. That’s three ingredients that are super high in protein! Spinach adds a fresh veggie to the dish, while parmesan cheese makes the flavors pop.
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Roasted strawberries in this protein packed smoothie brings out their amazing natural flavor, made with creamy cottage cheese and added chia seeds – what a great way to start the day!

Roasted Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

Not everybody is a big fan of the texture of cottage cheese. This is a great recipe if you don’t like the lumps in cottage cheese. It’s blended with roasted strawberries, milk, chia seeds, and ice until smooth. The flavor of the roasted strawberries is so rich and sweet. You’ll love this smoothie!
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High Protein Oat Rolls

High Protein Bread

You probably wouldn’t think to put cottage cheese in bread. But it helps make these gluten-free dinner rolls moist and extra healthy. These 5-ingredient rolls are super easy to make, but they have so much flavor.
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Can It Help Me Meet My Protein Goals?

Like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese is an excellent ingredient to help meet your protein goals, whether you’re aiming for weight loss, muscle building, or overall health

Wondering how much protein you need? Experts generally recommend consuming 1.2 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. For muscle building, aim for the higher end of the range, as protein helps repair and grow muscle tissue after exercise. For weight loss, a high-protein diet can help curb hunger and maintain muscle mass while shedding fat.

For example, a 150-pound person (about 68 kg) might aim for 82 to 150 grams of protein per day. Spread your intake across meals to maximize benefits.

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. This results in a moist, slightly lumpy texture.

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.

Need More High Protein Recipes? 

All of these recipes are high in protein thanks to cottage cheese. If you’re looking for more easy high protein meals, be sure to check out my recipe finder or my high-protein recipes collection. You can find tons of healthy recipes there. 

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