10 High-Protein Cottage Cheese Recipes: Sweet and Savoury

With its mild tanginess and impressive protein content, cottage cheese has become a popular addition to healthy meals. Thanks to American influencers showcasing its versatility on social media, the UK has seen a remarkable 40% increase in cottage cheese consumption [1]. Blended cottage cheese, with its smooth texture, can be incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes, making it a versatile ingredient.

Not only is it packed with nutrients, but cottage cheese is also celebrated for its potential weight-loss benefits. We’re excited to clear up the facts and inspire you with some delectable cottage cheese recipes to experiment with!

What is Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese is a dairy product made from skimmed milk or reconstituted low-fat dairy products. It has a creamy, soft texture and a mild, tangy flavor, with curds of varying sizes mixed with whey or cream.

When the whey is drained, cottage cheese is a popular choice in low-carb diets due to its low fat content. However, when cream is added, it becomes creamed cottage cheese, offering a richer, fattier option. To whip cottage cheese for a smooth texture, blend it thoroughly and use it in savory breakfast spreads, pairing it with various toppings and a cooked egg. For those looking to explore more, a detailed cottage cheese recipe can provide insights into achieving the perfect texture and flavor.

What are the benefits of cottage cheese and does it really help with weight loss?

Cottage cheese is naturally lower in fat than other cheeses, yet is rich in protein. It’s lower-calorie, high protein nutritional profile makes it a great addition to a healthy weight loss diet. The protein in cottage cheese can help create a sense of fullness, making it easier to adhere to a low-calorie diet to lose weight.

It also is rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, the antioxidant selenium, and B vitamins for energy and brain health.

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Whipped Cottage Cheese

Whipped cottage cheese is a game-changer for those who love cottage cheese but don’t enjoy its lumpy texture. By blending cottage cheese with cream cheese, you can create a smooth and creamy texture that’s perfect for snacking, baking, or cooking as part of a nutritious diet.

How to Make Whipped Cottage Cheese with Cream Cheese

To make whipped cottage cheese with cream cheese, simply blend 1 cup of cottage cheese with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese until smooth. You can also add a pinch of salt, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a sprinkle of vanilla powder to enhance the flavor. For a sweeter version, try adding 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup.

Cottage Cheese Recipes

1. Classic Pancakes

This recipe gives a delicious twist to the classic breakfast dish by incorporating cottage cheese. Customize it to your liking with your favorite toppings and syrup!

Total protein content: 14-27g per serving 

Ingredients: (serves 2-4)

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
• A pinch of salt
• Butter or oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and cottage cheese.
2. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar (if using), and salt.
3. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then stir in the milk until just combined.
4. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a little butter or oil.
5. Pour batter onto the pan and cook until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.
6. Serve with your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, syrup, or yogurt.

2. Crispy Bacon Mac and Cheese

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese, especially with extra crispy bacon? You can make this creamy dish even better by using cottage cheese for your diet!

Total protein content: 116 grams of protein

Ingredients: (serves 4-6)

• 8 oz macaroni
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 4 strips bacon
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Boil and drain the macaroni.
2. Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it.
3. Move on to making the sauce. Melt the butter, stir in flour, then whisk in milk. Add cheddar, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until it turns thick.
4. Combine the macaroni, cottage cheese, cheese sauce, and bacon.
5. Transfer it to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
6. Serve and enjoy warm!

3. Cottage Cheese Stuffed Bell Pepper

Stuffed foods are cherished worldwide, and this recipe is no exception. The bell peppers add a delightful kick, while tangy tomatoes, onions, and smooth, creamy cottage cheese blend perfectly together.

Total protein content: 12g per serving

Ingredients: (serves 4)

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
• In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese, quinoa or rice, tomatoes, onions, shredded cheese, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff the bell peppers with the mixture and place them in a baking dish.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
• Serve warm.

4. Strawberry Pudding

This sweet and simple dessert is the perfect way to end your meal, offering a healthy dose of protein and vitamin C from fresh strawberries.

Total protein content: 8-17 g per serving

Ingredients: (serves 2-4)

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup strawberries (blended)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Heat milk and cornstarch up in a saucepan until it thickens. Cool slightly.
2. Blend cottage cheese, strawberry puree, sugar, vanilla, and cooled milk mixture until smooth.
3. Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into dishes and refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Serve it chilled.

5. Tropical Fruit Smoothie

For a delicious treat packed with tropical fruits and healthy cottage cheese, give this smoothie a try.

Total protein content: 17g per serving

Ingredients: (serves 2)

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup fruit (such as berries, mango, or banana)
• 1/2 cup yogurt or milk
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
• A few ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine blended cottage cheese, fruit, yogurt or milk, and honey or maple syrup if using.
2. Blend it until smooth.
3. Add ice cubes if you prefer a colder smoothie and blend again.
4. Pour into glasses and enjoy.

6. Spicy Sausage Lasagna

Spice lovers, this mouth-watering recipe is for you! With flavorful Italian sausage, lasagna noodles, and creamy cottage cheese, it’s sure to have you coming back for seconds. Who says a diet can’t be fun?

Total protein content: 17-23g per serving 

Ingredients: (serves 6-8)

Sauce:

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 large egg
• Optional: 1 cup spinach or cooked veggies

Instructions:

1. For the sauce, cook sausage, onion, and garlic in a skillet. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Cook and drain noodles.
3. Prepare cheese mixture by mixing whip cottage cheese, egg, and half of Parmesan.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer sauce, noodles, cottage cheese mixture, spinach/veggies (if using), and mozzarella in a baking dish. Repeat layers, ending with sauce and remaining cheeses.
5. Cover it with a foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

7. Vegetarian Mezze Platter

For those who don’t eat meat, we’ve got a filling and delicious Mediterranean mezze platter. It’s packed with protein and incredibly simple to assemble.

Total protein content: approx 12-8g per serving

Ingredients: (serves 4-6)

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• Fresh vegetables (e.g., cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips)
• Olives
• Pita bread (cut into wedges)
• Hummus
• Optional dips (e.g., baba ganoush, tzatziki)
• Fresh herbs (e.g., mint, parsley)
• Pickles
• Fruit (e.g., grapes, apple slices)
• Nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)

Instructions:

1. Season the cottage cheese if desired.
2. Place cottage cheese in the center of a platter. Surround with vegetables, olives, pita bread, and dips.
3. Garnish with herbs and add pickles, fruit, and nuts.

8. Nuts and Berries Breakfast Bowl

A bowl of colorful, nutrient-rich food is always a great choice for a balanced diet, and this nuts and berries bowl delivers just that being rich in both fibre and calcium. It can be enjoyed any time of day, but is especially energizing in the morning.

Total protein content: 31-36 grams of protein

Ingredients: (serves 1)

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh fruit (such as berries, sliced banana, or apple chunks)
• 2 tbsp granola or nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
• A sprinkle of chia seeds or flax seeds (optional)
• A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the base by putting 1 cup of cottage cheese into a bowl.
2. Add toppings with fresh fruit and sprinkle with granola or nuts.
3. Sweeten and flavor it by drizzling honey or maple syrup if desired. You can also add chia seeds or flax seeds and a pinch of cinnamon.
4. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for a quick breakfast later.

9. Cheesy Garlic Pasta

Pasta is universally loved, and this creamy cottage cheese pasta, enriched with fragrant garlic, tomatoes, and spinach, makes for an excellent savory vegetarian dish to try.

Total protein content: 20-30g per serving

Ingredients: (serves 2-3)

• 8 oz pasta
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup spinach or cherry tomatoes (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp dried basil or oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook and drain pasta as per package instructions.
2. Prepare the sauce by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Add spinach or tomatoes if using.
3. Reduce heat, and stir in cottage cheese, Parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook until creamy.
4. Add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Heat through.
5. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

10. Cottage Cheesecake

Indulge in smooth cheesecake with a delightful twist of cottage cheese for a sweet surprise.

Total protein content: 9-11g per serving

Ingredients: (serves 8-10)

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar (moderate your intake if want it to be low sugar)
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Filling:

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the crust by mixing crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press into a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Let it cool.
3. Prepare the filling by blending cottage cheese until smooth. Mix the blended cottage cheese with sour cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, and lemon juice.
4. Pour the filling over the crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes.
5. Turn off the oven, and let the cake cool with the door ajar for 1 hour. Chill for at least 4 hours.
6. Remove from the pan and serve chilled.

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Are There People Who Should Avoid Cottage Cheese?

“Those who are lactose-intolerant, allergic to dairy, or have high blood pressure may want to avoid cottage cheese as it contains lactose and a decent amount of sodium.” – Melissa Mitri, MS RD

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped in educating you about the high protein dairy product, cottage cheese. You can pick and choose from these delicious recipes for ideas if you’re hoping to incorporate cottage cheese in your diet, from both savory and sweet choices that suit your needs. A healthy and balanced food plan goes a long way in ensuring you have a good quality of life. If you’d like more tips on ways to remain fit and healthy, check out the JustFit app!