What to make with cottage cheese
Cottage cheese works in pancakes, scrambled eggs, egg bites, baked pasta in place of ricotta, blended pasta sauce, flatbread, dips and no-bake desserts. Blended smooth, it becomes a creamy, high-protein base with about 12 grams of protein per half cup, and most kids never notice it is there.
cottage cheese
10 easy ideas with cottage cheese
Family-tested favorites. Tap one to get the full recipe, scaled for your table.
Blender Cottage Cheese Pancakes
20 minOats, eggs and cottage cheese blended into a batter for tender, protein-packed pancakes.
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Cottage Cheese Egg Bites
30 minSilky muffin-tin egg bites with spinach and cheddar. Reheat for busy mornings.
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Baked Ziti with Cottage Cheese
45 minCottage cheese stands in for ricotta in a cheesy, freezer-friendly baked pasta.
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Creamy Blended Pasta Sauce
20 minCottage cheese, parmesan and garlic blended into a smooth sauce for any pasta.
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Cottage Cheese Flatbread
40 minTwo-ingredient flatbread made from cottage cheese and eggs, baked thin and crisp.
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Hot Honey Cottage Cheese Bowl
5 minCottage cheese with tomatoes, cucumber and a drizzle of hot honey.
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Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs
10 minA spoonful stirred in at the end makes eggs creamy and adds protein.
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Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
50 minLasagna noodles rolled around a cottage cheese and spinach filling, baked in marinara.
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Cottage Cheese Queso
10 minBlended with cheddar and salsa, then warmed into a creamy dip for tortilla chips.
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Chocolate Cottage Cheese Mousse
5 minBlended with cocoa and maple syrup until silky. A dessert with protein.
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Kitchen notes on cottage cheese
Blend it for picky eaters
Thirty seconds in a blender turns cottage cheese completely smooth. The curds disappear into pancakes, sauces and dips.
Swap it for ricotta
Use the same amount of cottage cheese in place of ricotta in lasagna and baked pasta. If it looks watery, drain it in a sieve for 10 minutes first.
Use it within a week
Once opened, cottage cheese keeps about a week in the fridge. It turns grainy when frozen, though thawed cottage cheese is fine in baked dishes.
Questions about cottage cheese
How much protein is in cottage cheese?
About 12 grams per half cup, depending on the brand and fat level. Check the label on your tub.
Can you cook with cottage cheese?
Yes. It bakes well in pasta, egg dishes and pancakes. For a smooth sauce, blend it first and warm it gently, because boiling can make it separate.
Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes, in equal amounts. Blend it for a smoother texture, or leave it as is for a lasagna with a little more body.
