Cottage cheese recipes are something I adore getting creative with, and today I’m sharing some of my absolute staples. These range from delightful pancakes made with cottage cheese to a rich and hearty lasagna made with—you guessed it—cottage cheese.
And in between, I’ve got several smoothies that are well worth your time to make. Each and every one of these recipes is 100% accessible to make at home.
And by “home,” I mean even at your not-so-kitchen-whiz-friendly abode. That said, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret: Each recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious.
Whether you’re making something sweet (cottage cheese pancakes!) or savory (cottage cheese smoothie!), all these recipes make the most of this ingredient’s versatility.
The 16 Best cottage cheese recipes
1. Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Cottage cheese, eggs, and all-purpose flour come together in a delightful pancake recipe. These pancakes are almost too simple to be so delicious.
Their eggy base yields an incredibly tender texture that practically begs for a fork. Lightly browned on the outsides, these pancakes are a perfect 10 in your breakfast lineup.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
3 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
Butter or oil for cooking
Instructions
1. In a sizable bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Do this until the mixture is quite uniform. The result could almost be described as a batter. Seven ingredients in all, unless you count salt—then it would be eight.
2. Put a non-stick frying pan or a griddle on medium heat. Add a little butter or oil.
3. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet. Cook until the surface is bubbling and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Turn the pancakes and fry for 2 to 3 more minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Serve warm.
2. Cottage Cheese Smoothie
A smoothie with cottage cheese is a nutritious blend of creamy cottage cheese, milk or almond milk, banana, and berries, sweetened with honey or maple syrup and finished with vanilla extract and ice cubes.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen berries (such as blueberries or strawberries)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
A handful of ice cubes
Instructions
1. Combine cottage cheese, milk, banana, and frozen berries in a blender.
2. Into the bowl, pour the honey and vanilla extract, and then add the ice cubes.
3. Mix at a very high speed until the result becomes smooth and creamy.
4. Serve immediately after pouring into a glass. Relish your smoothie made with refreshing cottage cheese!
3. Cottage Cheese Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers
Cottage Cheese Salad with Tomatoes and Cucumbers is a light dish—with a cottage-cheesey base that is quite texturally interesting and pleasantly rich, yet not heavy; and a cool, crisp topping made up of diced tomatoes, half-moon cucumbers, and abundant chopped, fresh parsley. (You may also finely chop a little bit of red onion to mix in with the cucumbers, if you like it.
Or don’t.) Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the top. (Or drizzle a lot, if you like.) Then give this salad a little bit of both crude and refined seasoning (if using salt and pepper in the descriptor way it is sometimes meant; or, if you are a Strict Objectivist, a good bit of kosher (or sea) salt and freshly cracked black pepper).
One very satisfying cudgel of a salad.
Ingredients
Cottage cheese (1 cup)
Tomatoes (2 medium, diced)
Cucumbers (1 medium, diced)
Red onion (1/4, thinly sliced)
Fresh parsley (a handful, chopped)
Olive oil (1 tablespoon)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
1. In a big basin, mix the cottage cheese, chopped tomatoes, and chopped cucumbers.
2. Incorporate the mixture of thinly sliced red onion and chopped fresh parsley.
3. Lightly cover the salad with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Combine all the ingredients by gently tossing them together.
4. Serve right away, or for a more refreshing taste, chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes and then serve.
4. Cottage Cheese Lasagna
Cottage Cheese Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that brings together layers of lasagna noodles, tasty ground beef, marinara sauce, and a mix of creamy cottage cheese and egg that might just challenge the primacy of ricotta in lasagna. If I’m being honest, the biggest reason I even attempted a healthy cottage cheese version of this dish is because, in my mind, a lasagna is a dish that must contain a lot of cheese and that also gets better when reheated.
Ingredients
9 lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
2 cups cottage cheese
1 egg
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese#
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to preheat. Then, go ahead and make your lasagna noodles per the package instructions.
2. In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is not brown. Drain off the extra fat and mix the beef with the marinara sauce. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 5 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the egg and cottage cheese. Stir until well blended.
4. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer the meat sauce, noodles, and half the cottage cheese mixture. Follow with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers, and top with more mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly. Let cool briefly before serving.
5. Cottage Cheese and Fruit Bowl
I introduce the Cottage Cheese and Fruit Bowl—a divine mixture of creamy cottage cheese and fresh berries in the most delightful way. Imagine, if you will, layer upon layer of strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices, draped ever so artfully atop that blanket of cottage cheese—the kind that beckons you not just to look but also to taste.
Then, on top of all that, you add the pièce de résistance, which is granola—something that can only be described as essential—crunching through each mouthful.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 2 tablespoons granola
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Begin with the cottage cheese in a bowl made for serving. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the bowl.
2. Place the strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices on the cottage cheese.
3. Add crunch to the fruits by sprinkling granola over them.
4. If desired, drizzle honey over the top and garnish with a few fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately.
6. Cottage Cheese Omelette
This high-protein breakfast puts a fresh spin on the classic omelette, with fluffy eggs, creamy cottage cheese, and colorful, healthy vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, and green onions. It’s a simple dish that can be made in a matter of minutes—from whisking the eggs to cooking them in olive oil or butter (or even an oil sprayer, if you like).
You’ll get a tremendous boost of energy. After eating, you might just be ready to conquer the day.
Ingredients
Cottage cheese
Eggs
Spinach (fresh)
Tomatoes (diced)
Green onions (chopped)
Olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper
Instructions
1. In a bowl, beat the eggs until they are combined, and then add salt and pepper to taste.
2. An even layer of olive oil or butter in a nonstick pan adds moisture to the cooking process. It ensures that the spinach and green onions will not stick to the pan while cooking.That is really the only specific thing you need to know about cooking with this type of pan. I didn’t learn this while living in Italy.
3. Put the beat eggs into the skillet, and then evenly scatter the cottage cheese and the diced tomatoes over the top of the eggs.
4. Prepare the omelette by waiting for edges to set, folding it in half, and then continuing to cook until the eggs are fully set. Serve the omelette hot.
7. Cottage Cheese Dip with Herbs
Cottage cheese dip with herbs is a light and creamy dip that uses a base of cottage cheese combined with fresh chives, parsley, and dill, as well as a splash of lemon juice. This dip pairs very well with fresh vegetables, like tomato and cucumber slices; with hearty, grainy crackers; or with shrimp for a delightful seafood surprise.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, blend the cottage cheese with the snipped chives, parsley, and dill.
2. Mix the well-drained cottage cheese with the lemon juice and blend it in completely. Then add the herbs and mix them into the cottage cheese to serve.
3. Add salt and black pepper to taste to the dip and mix to combine.
4. Refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. You can reduce the time needed to chill the dip by placing it in the freezer. It should be good to go in 10-15 minutes if you take that route. Crackers and fresh veggies are the preferred dippers.
8. Cottage Cheese and Avocado Toast
Cottage Cheese and Avocado on Toast is a healthy and delicious meal that showcases either whole-grain or sourdough bread, perfectly ripe avocado, and cottage cheese. Enhanced, in this case, not by just an everyday splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt, but by shrewdly fluffing the cheese with a fork and an even shrewder addition of the delectable (and highly healthful) spice blend dukkah.
Ingredients
2 slices of whole-grain or sourdough bread
1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh herbs like cilantro or chives (optional)
Instructions
1. Brown and crisp the slices of bread in a toaster.
2. As the bread toasts, halve the avocado, take out the pit, and scoop the creamy green flesh into a mixing bowl. Mash it with a fork, then mix in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Distribute uniformly cottage cheese onto each piece of toasted bread.
4. Finish with the avocado mixture on top. Use extra salt and pepper and red pepper flakes to amp up the flavor. Add a handful of whatever fresh herbs you like, to make it look pretty and taste even better. Dig in!
9. Cottage Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed Peppers with Cottage Cheese make a healthy, delightful dish. They feature hefty bell peppers as their main ingredient.
The stuffed mixture is light yet substantial—and pretty delicious. I make it using:
• Cottage cheese
• Cooked quinoa
• Fresh spinach
• Diced tomatoes
• Basil
• Salt and pepper
Seasoned like that, with those simple but satisfying ingredients, anything could taste good.
And, as it turns out, it does.
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers (any color)
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup chopped fresh spinach
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the tops off the bell peppers and take out the seeds and membranes.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the following:* 1 cup cottage cheese* 1 cup cooked quinoa* 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, chopped* 1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped* 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped* salt and pepper to tasteThis is an excellent source of protein, and it’s great for lunch or dinner.
3. Fill each bell pepper with the cottage cheese mixture, packing it in firmly.
4. Stand the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. Bake them at 30 minutes covered, and then for 10-15 minutes, uncovered. When they no longer resist a fork, they’re done. Serve them hot.
10. Cottage Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells
Stuffed Shells with Cottage Cheese and Spinach are delightful; that’s the first thing to know. Pasta shells filled with a mixture of creamy cottage cheese, tender spinach, fresh parsley, and sharp Parmesan, then bathed in zesty marinara, are hard to beat.
So why would you want to trade those for a more laborious dish? Or even a less delicious one, for that matter?
Don’t.
Ingredients
- 12 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to warm up. The shells you bought must be cooked according to their package directions before they are stuffed and baked. Using the package directions as your guide, bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta shells to the water. Stir the shells gently a few times to prevent them from sticking to each other or to the pot. After about 8 minutes, check one shell by cutting it open. If it has any chew left to it, the shell is ready to be drained. After draining, remove the shells to a baking pan, dish, or plate that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Allow them to cool for a few minutes while you prepare the filling. This should yield a total of 12 stuffed shells. If you do not have enough filling, use fewer shells, or if you want more stuffed shells, make another batch of filling.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend together the cottage cheese; the chopped spinach; the Parmesan cheese; and the beaten egg. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
3. Cover the bottom of a baking dish with a very thin layer of marinara sauce. Fill each pasta shell with the cottage cheese mixture and place the shells in the dish.
4. Over the shells, pour the leftover marinara sauce and then add the mozzarella cheese. Cover it all with foil and bake it for 25 minutes. For the next 10 minutes, take off the foil and allow the contents to bake until the cheese achieves a bubbly and golden state. Then serve.
11. Cottage Cheese and Berry Parfait
Cottage Cheese and Berry Parfait is a delightful layered dish that features cottage cheese, mixed fresh berries, and granola, garnished with mint leaves. It’s a dish that you could serve for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
It’s pretty healthy, as far as I can tell. Cottage cheese, the base of the dish, is fairly high in protein, and it has more calcium than yogurt.
The next layer is fresh berries, which are among the healthiest of fruits. Granola is a bit more problematic.
Some people make their own granola. Others buy it.
Lots of folks eat the stuff. I have mixed feelings.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup mixed fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup granola
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. In a tiny dish, blend the cottage cheese with the sweetener and the vanilla extract until they are combined evenly.
2. In a serving dish or parfait glass, layer half of the cottage cheese mixture on the bottom.
3. The cottage cheese has a layer of mixed berries added on top.
4. Half of the granola should be sprinkled over the berries.
5. Do the layering again with the other cottage cheese, berries, and granola.
6. If you desire, you may garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve right away.
12. Cottage Cheese Protein Bowl
The Protein Bowl with Cottage Cheese is a nutritious meal that packs in plenty of protein and is nutrient-dense. It features cottage cheese, protein powder, mixed berries, chia seeds, almond or peanut butter, and is sometimes served with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
1 scoop protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)
1/2 cup mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons almond or peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
1. In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the protein powder until very smooth and uniform throughout.
2. Cottage cheese blend with an assortment of berries.
3. Almond or peanut butter can be drizzled over the berries and chia seeds. For those with a sweet tooth, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup works beautifully.
4. Serve at once and delight in the experience!
13. Cottage Cheese Soup with Vegetables
Cottage Cheese Soup with Vegetables
A comforting option for a cozy meal, this dish features cottage cheese, vegetable broth, carrots, celery, and spinach.
Ingredients
- Cottage cheese
1 cup - Vegetable broth
4 cups - Carrots, diced
2 medium - Celery, diced
2 stalks - Onion, chopped
1 medium - Garlic, minced
2 cloves - Spinach, chopped
2 cups
Instructions
1. In a sizable pot, warm a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they are somewhat tender, about 5 minutes. Slightly tender means these vegetables are still a bit crunchy but not raw. Tender, but not too tender.
2. Add the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Put the cottage cheese and spinach in the pot. Stir around a bit, then cover. Wait a minute, then uncover and stir again. Now, the spinach should be fully wilted, and the cottage cheese should be close to being fully incorporated.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
14. Cottage Cheese and Chive Scramble
Cottage Cheese and Chive Scramble is a simple, nutritious dish made with large eggs, creamy cottage cheese, and fresh chives. It’s ideal for a fast meal, cooked with only salt, pepper, and butter.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
#
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, mix thoroughly the eggs, cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk until you see no more distinct layers and until the mixture resembles a robust, wet batter.
2. In a non-stick skillet, medium heat, melt the butter.
3. Into the skillet, pour the egg mixture. Cook it, stirring gently, until the mixture sets just enough to hold together, but is still soft. Serve while it’s still somewhat runny.
4. Take away from flame, mix in the chives, and dish up at once.
15. Cottage Cheese Brownies
Investigate my Cottage Cheese Brownies, a delightful take on a timeless dessert. They combine cocoa, rich and creamy cottage cheese, and vanilla in an unexpected moist treat just waiting to happen.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan so that it does not stick.
2. In a big bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. In another bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Mix together the moist components with the dry ones until they just come together. The wet and dry ingredients should not be beaten together. The mixture should be poured into a prepared pan and spread evenly.
5. To bake, the time needed is between 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick enshrined in the center comes out without any batter on it. Cool before slicing and serving.
16. Cottage Cheese and Walnut Spread
Cottage Cheese and Walnut Spread blends smooth cottage cheese, with crunchy walnuts and a hint of garlic, into a nutritious spread that’s perfect for pairing with bread or veggies. Also, the protein-packed spread could make a great dip for party-worthy crudités.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Optional: fresh herbs such as parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar-free low-fat lemon cottage cheese, fresh black walnuts, cold-pressed extra-light olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic.
2. Mix the combination thoroughly until it is completely blended and smooth. Then add enough salt and pepper to make it taste really good.
3. If you wish, include fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for a flavor boost.
4. Serve the spread very cold, alongside an assortment of vegetable sticks, crackers, or some good bread.
