10+ Cottage Cheese Recipes You’ll Love for Quick & Tasty Meals

Cottage cheese is a simple, versatile ingredient you can use in all sorts of recipes. Whether you’re into savory or sweet, cottage cheese adds a creamy texture and a nice protein boost.

Don’t just eat it plain—there are so many tasty ways to enjoy cottage cheese every day.

Here’s a bunch of easy and delicious cottage cheese recipes you can try at home. You’ll find ideas for snacks, meals, and even desserts.

Using cottage cheese makes cooking more fun and helps you sneak in some extra nutrition, all without needing a ton of fancy ingredients.

1) Cottage Cheese Protein Bagels

You can whip up cottage cheese protein bagels with just a handful of ingredients. They’re great when you want a snack that actually keeps you full.

These bagels come out soft and a little tangy thanks to the cottage cheese. Bake them in the oven or toss them in the air fryer—either way, you’ll get a healthy treat.

No yeast needed, so you can make these whenever you feel like it. The extra protein makes them a solid choice for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix everything together until you have a dough.
3. Shape into bagels and put them on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Let them cool a bit before eating.

More details here: cottage cheese bagels recipe.

2) Spiced Cottage Cheese Dip

Turn simple cottage cheese into a spicy, creamy dip in minutes. This one’s perfect for snacks or parties.

Toss in some crushed red pepper or jalapenos for a little heat. It’s not too spicy, just enough to keep things interesting.

Serve it with chips, veggies, or crackers. Want it even creamier? Add shredded cheese and sour cream.

Blend cottage cheese with taco seasoning and jalapenos—warm it up for a smooth, queso-style dip. You’ll be dipping in five minutes flat.

Ingredients

• 24 oz cottage cheese
• 12 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 12 oz sour cream
• 2-3 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• Optional: jalapenos or taco seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine cottage cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream, red pepper flakes, and green onions in a bowl or blender.
2. Blend or mix until smooth.
3. Stir in jalapenos or taco seasoning if you want.
4. Microwave for 1-2 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until warm.
5. Serve with chips or fresh veggies.

3) Lemony Zucchini Pasta with Cottage Cheese

Make a fresh, light pasta using zucchini ribbons and a creamy cottage cheese sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy dinner.

The sauce is just whipped cottage cheese with lemon zest and juice. Fresh basil on top adds a nice herbal touch.

You only need five main ingredients, and you can swap ricotta for cottage cheese if you want. The pasta comes out cool and creamy, with a little zing from the lemon.

Ingredients

• 3 zucchinis, peeled into ribbons
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• A handful of fresh basil leaves
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel zucchinis into thin ribbons.
2. Whip cottage cheese with lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
3. Gently toss zucchini ribbons with the sauce.
4. Top with fresh basil and serve right away.

Check out a similar recipe at Simply Recipes.

4) Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

You can make creamy ice cream with cottage cheese. It’s got more protein and less added sugar than regular ice cream.

Just blend cottage cheese, a bit of maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Freeze it for a few hours.

Add your favorite flavors—fruits, chocolate chips, or nut butter work great. It’s surprisingly good.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cottage cheese
• 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend cottage cheese, sweetener, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container.
3. Freeze for at least 3 hours (32°F / 0°C) until firm.
4. Scoop and enjoy!

5) Tuna Salad Sandwich with Cottage Cheese

Swap mayo for cottage cheese in your tuna salad sandwich. It’s lighter but still creamy.

Mix drained tuna with cottage cheese, a little Dijon mustard, and chopped celery or green onion for crunch. Add garlic or herbs if you want.

Spread it on your favorite bread. You can blend the cottage cheese first if you like it smoother.

Add pepper or hot sauce for extra flavor. It’s a quick, high-protein meal.

Ingredients

• 1 can of tuna (drained)
• 1/3 cup cottage cheese (blended if you like)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 celery stalk (chopped)
• 1 green onion (chopped)
• 1/2 clove garlic (minced, optional)
• Bread of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Drain tuna and put it in a bowl.
2. Blend cottage cheese if you want it smooth.
3. Mix tuna, cottage cheese, mustard, celery, green onion, and garlic.
4. Spread on bread slices.
5. Close the sandwich and eat right away or chill for later.

6) High Protein Cottage Cheese Lasagna

Make a high-protein lasagna by swapping ricotta for cottage cheese. It’s creamy and lighter.

Usually, you’ll use ground beef or turkey sausage, tomato sauce, and a mix of cheeses. Spinach adds color and nutrients.

Layer noodles, cottage cheese mixture, meat sauce, and shredded cheese. It’s classic comfort food, just a bit healthier.

Ingredients

• 12 oven-ready lasagna noodles
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey sausage
• 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Brown the meat in a skillet, then drain the fat.
3. Stir in marinara and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Mix cottage cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a baking dish.
6. Layer noodles, cottage cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat.
7. Top with Parmesan.
8. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
9. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until the cheese is golden.
10. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Find more ideas here: high protein Cottage Cheese Lasagna.

7) Roasted Mushroom, Cottage Cheese, and Kale Salad

Here’s a simple salad with mushrooms, kale, and cottage cheese. Roasting the mushrooms brings out a deep flavor that works so well with the fresh kale.

Cottage cheese makes it creamy and adds protein. Serve as a light lunch or a side dish.

The mix of textures and flavors is satisfying and easy to throw together. It’s even good when you want a salad that’s not ice-cold.

Ingredients

• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast mushrooms for 15 minutes until tender.
4. Massage kale to soften it up.
5. Combine kale, roasted mushrooms, and cottage cheese in a bowl.
6. Mix and serve right away.

More ideas here: roasted mushroom, cottage cheese and kale salad.

8) Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl with Fresh Fruit

Start your day with a cottage cheese breakfast bowl. It’s creamy, packed with protein, and super easy.

Mix cottage cheese with fresh fruit—berries, peaches, apples, whatever you like. Add granola or nuts for crunch.

Drizzle a bit of honey or sprinkle cinnamon for extra sweetness. This bowl is quick and perfect for busy mornings.

Switch up the fruits and toppings to keep it interesting. Nut butter or seeds are great add-ins if you want more flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh fruit (berries, peaches, or apples)
• 1/4 cup granola or nuts
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Put cottage cheese in a bowl.
2. Add fresh fruit on top.
3. Sprinkle with granola or nuts.
4. Drizzle honey and cinnamon if you want.
5. Eat right away!

For more combos, check this cottage cheese with fruit breakfast bowl.

9) 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These pancakes are ridiculously easy and come together fast. You just need three things: cottage cheese, eggs, and oats.

Cottage cheese brings the protein and keeps everything soft. Toss everything in a blender and whiz until smooth.

Pour the batter into a hot pan. Cook until the edges look set, flip, and finish the other side.

They’re a lifesaver on busy mornings or when you want something light. I like them with syrup or a handful of berries, but honestly, you can top them with whatever you want.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend cottage cheese, eggs, and oats until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the pan.
4. Cook until edges are set, about 2-3 minutes, then flip.
5. Cook the other side for 2 minutes.
6. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

If you want to check out more, here’s The Kitchn’s recipe.

10) Cottage Cheese and Veggie Protein Slice

This slice is a clever way to sneak in some extra protein and veggies. Cottage cheese gives it a creamy texture and a good protein boost.

I usually toss in broccoli, zucchini, carrots, and spinach, but you can use whatever you have. Mix cottage cheese with eggs and some grated cheese to hold it all together.

The veggies make it colorful and add a little crunch. It’s handy for a quick snack, or you can just call it lunch.

Once baked, it holds up well and tastes good warm or straight from the fridge. It’s actually perfect for packing in lunchboxes.

Feel free to swap in your favorite veggies or cheeses if you want to mix things up.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 small grated zucchini
• 1 grated carrot
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.

3. Grab a bowl and whisk together the eggs and cottage cheese until the mixture looks smooth.

4. Toss in the grated cheese, chopped spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and carrot.

5. Mix everything up until it’s combined.

6. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper—taste as you go if you like.

7. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it out so it’s even.

8. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top turns golden and the center feels firm.

9. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

10. Dig in and enjoy!