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There are so many ways to eat cottage cheese from pancakes and oatmeal to pasta and eggs and I’m sharing 20+ healthy cottage cheese recipes that are all delicious and packed with protein!
Cottage cheese has been all the rage this year thanks to a few recipes that went viral, but there are so many different ways to eat cottage cheese.
You can eat it plain, add it to oatmeal for breakfast, make cottage cheese pasta for a protein-packed dinner or make a cottage cheese dip to serve as an appetizer for a party. The options are truly endless and today I’m sharing 20+ of my favorite high protein cottage cheese recipes to get you started!
The type of cottage cheese you use is up to personal preference. I personally like to use organic dairy products free from antibiotics and hormones (like rbST). If you’re looking for good organic cottage cheese brands I recommend Good Culture cottage cheese, Organic Valley and Nancy’s. I also like Friendship Diaries no salt added, small curd 1% cottage cheese (in the red container). Cottage cheese tends to be really high in sodium so I like that this variety is a little lower than your typical brands. Unfortunately, this brand isn’t organic.
Ready to get inspired? Here are more than 20 delicious cottage cheese recipes that are high in protein and easy to make. I’ve grouped them by type so you can find exactly what you’re craving — whether it’s sweet, savory, or something in between.
Breakfasts + Snacks
Perfect for mornings or mid-day snacks — these recipes are rich in protein but still feel like a treat.
These strawberry cheesecake overnight oats are rich, creamy and taste like you're having a slice of cheesecake but in oatmeal form. They're gluten-free, easy to make and perfect for meal prep!
These cottage cheese pancakes are soft, fluffy and packed with over 20 grams of protein per serving. Plus, they're kid-approved and easy to make with only 7 simple ingredients.
This easy cottage cheese quiche is creamy, cheesy and packed with tons of flavor. It's the perfect high-protein option for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
These cottage cheese overnight oats taste like dessert, but are packed with over 20 grams of protein. They're easy to make, perfect for meal prep and easily customizable.
This cottage cheese smoothie is thick, creamy and tastes like raspberry cheesecake! It’s protein-packed, naturally sweetened and made with just 5 ingredients.
This protein yogurt bowl combines berry yogurt with PB2 and cottage cheese, served over berries with crunchy cereal on top. It's giving PB&J vibes and is packed with 40 grams of protein per serving!
These blueberry cottage cheese muffins are moist, fluffy, protein-packed, and so easy to make right in the blender. They’re kid-friendly and make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack!
These cottage cheese eggs are a great way to switch up your morning breakfast! They're super easy to make and result in fluffy, creamy eggs that are high in protein.
These cottage cheese bagels are soft, chewy and made with just 4 simple ingredients. Each bagel packs 13g of protein with no yeast or protein powder needed, making them perfect for an easy, high-protein breakfast or meal prep.
These high protein cottage cheese cookies are soft, chewy and made with only 7 ingredients. They're gluten-free, egg-free, low sugar and have 8 grams of protein per cookie.
This cottage cheese chocolate mousse is rich, creamy and packed with protein. Made with just 3 ingredients, it’s a quick and healthy dessert you’ll want to make on repeat!
This edible cottage cheese cookie dough is the ultimate protein-packed dessert! It's gluten-free, egg-free, naturally sweetened and comes together in just 10 minutes with 7 simple ingredients.
This frozen cottage cheese bark with peanut butter, chocolate and granola is the perfect refreshing treat. It's healthy, creamy, easy to whip up and packed with protein.
These cottage cheese brownies are rich, fudgy and packed with 6 grams of protein each. Blending cottage cheese into the batter keeps them moist and gooey while adding a boost of protein. A better-for-you dessert the whole family will love.
This Snickers salad protein bowl has all the flavors of the classic dessert—crisp apples, creamy peanut butter, and rich chocolate—with a healthy twist! Packed with 35g of protein, it's the perfect high-protein breakfast or snack.
Cottage cheese makes the creamiest base for dips and spreads. These recipes are great for parties, snacking, or even as a high-protein topping for toast or veggies.
This hot honey whipped cottage cheese dip combines tangy cottage cheese with spicy sweet honey, pistachios and fresh basil. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory and makes for an easy but impressive appetizer that everyone will love!
A high-protein twist on viral boat dip made with blended cottage cheese instead of sour cream and cream cheese. It comes together with just 6 ingredients and is perfect for parties, pool days and cookouts.
This high protein French onion dip is made with cottage cheese, caramelized onions and simple seasonings. It’s creamy, savory and packed with protein for a better-for-you take on the classic dip.
This healthy buffalo chicken dip is the perfect game day appetizer and sure to be a crowd favorite. It's made lighter with Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, but is still creamy, spicy and absolutely delicious.
This healthy spinach artichoke dip is made with Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and avocado mayo. It's lighter, super creamy and delicious served as an appetizer with tortilla chips or bread.
This cottage cheese ranch dip is creamy, tangy, and packed with classic ranch flavor. It’s high-protein, easy to make, and perfect for pairing with veggies, chips, or crackers!
This cottage cheese pizza bowl has all the cheesy pizza flavor you love in a low-carb, high-protein bowl. It’s made with creamy cottage cheese, marinara and melty mozzarella, then topped with your favorite pizza toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.
These high-protein meals are perfect for lunch or dinner and show just how versatile cottage cheese can be. From pasta to scrambled eggs, they’re easy, filling, and packed with flavor.
This viral cottage cheese sweet potato beef bowl is packed with protein and has the perfect balance of sweet, savory and spicy. It’s a satisfying dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes!
This high-protein cottage cheese pasta combines ground turkey and pasta with a creamy cottage cheese marinara sauce. It comes together in less than 30 minutes for a quick weeknight meal that the whole family will love!
This cottage cheese salad combines fresh veggies and herbs with cottage cheese for a simple, yet flavorful salad that's low in calories, but packed with 29 grams of protein.
This easy cottage cheese flatbread is made with just five simple ingredients! It's a healthy, high-protein (40g per wrap!), low-carb option that's perfect for wraps, sandwiches, and even personal pizzas.
This cottage cheese mac and cheese cooks up in under 30 minutes and is packed with 22 grams of protein. It's rich, creamy and the perfect family-friendly meal for busy weeknights.
Yes! Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and provides calcium, B vitamins and other essential nutrients. It’s also relatively low in calories and carbohydrates. Depending on the variety, a half-cup serving can provide around 14 grams of protein, making it an excellent ingredient to incorporate into your diet, especially if you’re looking to increase your protein intake.
Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!
Great question, Paula! I’ve heard good things about the dairy-free cottage cheese from Good Culture and Kite Hill, if you can find them near you. Hope that helps!
Can you suggest a dairy free cottage cheese?
Great question, Paula! I’ve heard good things about the dairy-free cottage cheese from Good Culture and Kite Hill, if you can find them near you. Hope that helps!