Cottage cheese has become a go-to ingredient for adding protein to everything from breakfast to dessert, but there’s a lot more you can do with it than spoon it into a bowl. These 32 recipes take cottage cheese in some surprisingly different directions, from Mexican street corn toast and pizza bowls to brownies, lasagna, pasta, and frozen desserts. Even if you already buy cottage cheese regularly, there are probably a few ideas here you haven’t tried yet.
Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
A creamy cottage cheese dressing takes the place of much of the mayonnaise in this easy chicken salad. It’s a quick, protein-rich option for sandwiches, wraps, crackers, or serving over greens.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
Mexican Street Corn Toast with Cottage Cheese
This savory toast takes inspiration from Mexican street corn, pairing charred corn with cottage cheese, cotija, lime, cilantro, and chili powder. It’s a quick breakfast or lunch with plenty of texture and flavor.
Get the recipe: Mexican Street Corn Toast with Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese Brownies
Blended cottage cheese gives these brownies a rich, fudgy texture while adding protein to the batter. It’s an easy way to sneak cottage cheese into dessert without making the brownies taste like cottage cheese.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Brownies
High Protein Cottage Cheese Omelette
Cottage cheese makes this omelette especially creamy while adding extra protein to a simple breakfast. Add the suggested vegetables or use whatever you have on hand for an easy, filling meal.
Get the recipe: High Protein Cottage Cheese Omelette
Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
These make-ahead overnight oats combine cottage cheese with oats, milk, chia seeds, and honey for a creamy breakfast with plenty of protein. Prepare them the night before, and they’re ready to grab from the fridge in the morning.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
Cottage Cheese Dip
Blend cottage cheese until smooth and you’ve got the base for a creamy dip that’s ready in minutes. Serve it with vegetables and crackers, or spread it onto toast and sandwiches.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Dip
Spicy Kale Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Tender kale, spicy tomato sauce, noodles, and creamy cottage cheese come together in this hearty baked lasagna. It’s a substantial vegetarian dinner with plenty of flavor and a little heat.
Get the recipe: Kale Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese Strawberry Dessert
Frozen strawberries and cottage cheese blend into a creamy, soft-serve-style dessert that’s ready in minutes. It’s a simple option when you’re craving something cold and sweet with a little extra protein.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Strawberry Dessert
Cottage Cheese Toast 4 Ways
Cottage cheese turns ordinary toast into a filling breakfast or snack, and four topping combinations give you both sweet and savory options. It’s an easy recipe to adapt to whatever you have in the fridge.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast
Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Blended cottage cheese adds creaminess to this egg salad while reducing the amount of mayonnaise needed. Serve it on bread, with crackers, or over greens for an easy lunch.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Cottage Cheese Protein Bagels
Cottage cheese goes directly into the dough of these homemade bagels, giving them a higher-protein twist while keeping the recipe simple. They’re great for breakfast or make-ahead lunches.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Protein Bagels
Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Cottage cheese and cheddar make a creamy sauce for this comforting mac and cheese. It’s an easy family dinner that adds extra protein without straying too far from the classic version.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Cottage Cheese Salad
This fresh salad puts cottage cheese at the center of the plate with tomatoes, cucumber, green onion, lemon, and dill. It’s a simple, refreshing option for lunch or as a side dish.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Salad
High Protein Egg Bakes
These individual egg bakes combine eggs, egg whites, cottage cheese, sausage, peppers, and cheese in convenient portions. Make them ahead for an easy breakfast you can reheat during the week.
Get the recipe: High Protein Egg Bakes
Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
These copycat egg bites are made with cottage cheese for a creamy texture and packed with protein for an easy make-ahead breakfast.
Get the recipe: Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars with Banana and Chocolate
Banana and honey sweeten the cottage cheese base of these frozen bars before they’re coated in dark chocolate. Keep them in the freezer for a cold, chocolatey treat with extra protein.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Cottage cheese adds moisture and protein to these fluffy pancakes without making them heavy. Serve them with berries, maple syrup, or your favorite pancake toppings for a satisfying breakfast.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Polish Cottage Cheese Pasta
This traditional Polish dish combines egg noodles with cottage cheese and butter for a rich, comforting meal that comes together fast.
Get the recipe: Polish Cottage Cheese Pasta
Pasta with Cottage Cheese Sauce
Blended cottage cheese creates a creamy pasta sauce that brings extra protein to a simple weeknight meal. It’s a useful alternative when you want a creamy pasta without relying on heavy cream.
Get the recipe: Pasta with Cottage Cheese Sauce
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls
Turn cottage cheese into an easy breakfast with fresh berries or sliced apples, cinnamon, honey, and your favorite crunchy toppings. There’s no real cooking involved, making this one of the quickest recipes in the collection.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls
Vegetarian Stuffed Pasta Shells
Jumbo pasta shells are filled with cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan, and herbs, then baked in marinara and topped with mozzarella. It’s a cozy vegetarian dinner that’s substantial enough for the whole family.
Get the recipe: Vegetarian Stuffed Pasta Shells
Cottage Cheese Smoothie
Strawberries and cottage cheese blend into a thick, creamy smoothie with a texture that’s closer to a milkshake than a traditional fruit smoothie. It’s a simple high-protein breakfast or snack.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Smoothie
5-Minute Cottage Cheese Queso
Blended cottage cheese creates the creamy base for this quick queso, which takes about five minutes to prepare. Serve it with tortilla chips and vegetables, or spoon it over tacos and other Mexican-inspired dishes.
Get the recipe: 5-Minute Cottage Cheese Queso Recipe
Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
This no-bake treat blends cottage cheese with vanilla, protein powder, almond meal, and chocolate chips for an edible cookie dough-style snack. It takes just a few minutes to make and can be chilled before serving.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Cookie Dough
Cottage Cheese Lasagna
Cottage cheese replaces ricotta in this classic baked lasagna, creating creamy layers between the noodles and tomato sauce. It’s a familiar, family-friendly dinner that makes good use of a tub of cottage cheese.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Lasagna
Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing
Blended cottage cheese provides the creamy base for this ranch dressing, which gets its flavor from herbs and seasonings. Use it for salads, as a vegetable dip, or as a spread for wraps and sandwiches.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars
This second take on cottage cheese ice cream bars uses maple syrup for sweetness before the creamy frozen mixture is dipped in chocolate.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Bars
Whipped Cottage Cheese Dessert
Cottage cheese and maple syrup are blended until smooth for this quick, three-ingredient dessert. Add strawberries and cookie crumbles on top for a simple sweet treat with almost no prep.
Get the recipe: Whipped Cottage Cheese Dessert
Tortilla Quiche
A tortilla creates an easy crust for this simple quiche filled with eggs, cottage cheese, and vegetables. It’s a practical breakfast or brunch option when you want something more substantial than scrambled eggs.
Get the recipe: Tortilla Quiche
Broccoli Cottage Cheese Pizza
Cottage cheese, broccoli, and mozzarella make an easy topping combination for homemade pizza. It’s an easy way to add protein and vegetables to pizza night while keeping the cheesy, crispy parts you expect.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Cottage Cheese Pizza
Protein Cheesecake
Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt create the creamy base for this higher-protein take on cheesecake. It’s a proper dessert with the texture and richness you’d expect from cheesecake, rather than a typical protein snack.
Get the recipe: Protein Cheesecake
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
These quick pizza bowls pack all the familiar flavors of pizza into a cottage cheese-based meal. They’re ready in minutes and can be customized with your favorite pizza toppings.
Get the recipe: Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowls
