7 Delicious Ways to Use Cottage Cheese: From Cookie Dough to Lasagna

If you've been thinking of cottage cheese as a bland side dish, or can’t think of other ways to get creative with this versatile ingredient, I am about to share some of my favorite flavor-packed ways to use cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is packed with protein and calcium with ½ cup offering 13g of protein and 100 mg of calcium, making it a nutritional powerhouse that can enhance your meals in countless ways. Whether you're looking for a quick snack, a savory dinner, or a sweet treat, cottage cheese is the secret ingredient that can take your recipes to the next level. 

Here are 7 ways to use cottage cheese to create delicious, and easy snacks and meals!

Cottage cheese cookie dough 

What you will need:

• Blender

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 1/2 cup flour (or 1 cup almond flour)

• 1 TBS peanut butter

• 2 TBS maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ cup vanilla protein powder

• ½ cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Blend cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla in a blender until smooth

2. Transfer cottage cheese mixture to a small bowl and mix in flour, peanut butter, and protein powder until well combined. If the dough seems sticky, add a TBS of flour at a time until desired consistency is reached. 

3. Fold in chocolate chips, store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, and enjoy! 

Cottage cheese lasagna

What you will need:

• Blender

• 9x13 baking dish

Ingredients:

• 1-2 jars marinara (I like Mezzatta)

• 1 cup fresh chopped spinach

• ¼ cup fresh chopped italian parsley

• 2 cups cottage cheese

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

• 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 package pepperoni (optional but so good if you add it!)

• 1 package of lasagna noodles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Boil 9-12 lasagna noodles as directed on the package. Salt the pasta water generously. 

3. Add cottage cheese to a blender, and blend until smooth

4. Transfer cheese blend to a small bowl and fold in parmesan and spinach

5. Once noodles are cooked to al dente, begin layering your lasagna

6. Spread sauce on the bottom of the pan first 

7. Add 3 lasagna noodles on top of sauce

8. Evenly coat the top of the noodles with cheese and spinach mixture 

9. Layer with pepperoni

10. Repeat steps 6-9

11. Top the lasagna with mozzarella, and bake for 30 minutes covered. 

12. After 30 minutes, remove the cover, and broil for 3-4 minutes or until the top of the cheese begins to turn golden brown

13. Let cool for 20 minutes and then enjoy!

Cottage cheese peanut butter fruit dip

What you will need:

• Blender (a single serving small blender works best)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

• ½ tsp vanilla

• 1 heaping TBS PBfit powder (regular peanut butter works fine too)

• 1 TBS maple syrup

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a small blender and blend until smooth

2. Serve alongside fruit trays, enjoy as a snack with an apple or strawberries, or add to toast topped with banana and cinnamon!

Cottage cheese queso

What you will need:

• Blender

Ingredients:

• 1 24 oz container of cottage cheese

• 1 package taco seasoning

• 1 cup cheddar

• ¼ cup water

• ½ cup pickles jalapenos, chopped

• ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped

• ½  cup monterey jack

• 1 can rotel

• ¼ cup green onions, sliced

• 1 roll chorizo, cooked

Directions:

1. Add cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning to a blender

2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in cooked chorizo, Rotel, Monterey jack, and green onions

3. Enjoy with favorite tortilla chips or atop homemade Mexican bowls!

Cottage cheese tomato soup

What you will need:

• Blender

Ingredients:

• ½ yellow onion, chopped

• 1 TBS garlic

• 2 tsp  honey 

• 1 28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes

• 3 cups vegetable broth

• Salt and pepper to taste

• ¾ cup cottage cheese

Directions:

1. Sauteed chopped onions until translucent in small pot

2. Add in garlic and continuously stir for 30 seconds until fragrant

3. Add remaining ingredients (honey, tomatoes, broth, salt, and pepper) leave out cottage cheese

4. Bring to a simmer for 15-20 minutes

5. Add soup to a blender with cottage cheese or use an immersion blender, blend until smooth

6. Serve with grilled cheese or enjoy by itself and enjoy!

Cottage cheese egg bites

What you will need:

• Blender

• 12 count muffin pan

Ingredients:

• 7 large eggs

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 1 cup colby jack cheese

• ¾ cup cooked bacon bits

• ½ cup green onion, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Spray muffin pan with nonstick spray and preheat oven to 350.

2. Add eggs and cottage cheese to a blender and blend until smooth

3. Transfer egg mixture to a bowl and whisk in colby jack cheese, bacon, green onions, salt and pepper

4. Transfer egg mixture to fill up muffin cups evenly

5. Place a pan of water on the lower rack of the oven and the muffin pan on the upper rack

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes

7. Check egg bites with a toothpick, the toothpick should be clean after you take it out of the egg bite

8. Let cool for 10 minutes and then enjoy!

Cottage cheese buffalo chicken dip

• Blender (a single serving small blender works best)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded chicken breast, cooked

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• ½ cup buffalo sauce

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• ½ cup cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup green onion chopped

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Place cottage cheese and buffalo sauce in a small blender and blend until smooth

3. Transfer to a baking dish and fold in chicken, seasonings, and green onions

4. Top with cheddar cheese and bake for 20 minutes until cheese on top is golden brown

5. Serve immediately with veggies, or your favorite tortilla chip or add it to a quesadilla!

Let us know which recipe is your favorite!

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Written by Nanci Dillow, MS/DI

Hi, I'm Nance! I'm a Dietetic Intern, Air Force veteran, and mom to three little ones. I’m also a part-time barista at my local coffee shop. I’m passionate about building a home that nurtures a healthy relationship with food and creating an environment where kids feel confident in the bodies they are meant to grow into.