Cottage cheese: you either love it or hate it. But is cottage cheese good for you? Let's dive in.
Is Cottage Cheese Good for You?
Updated on May 02, 2024
Move over, Greek yogurt—there’s a new protein powerhouse snack dominating the dairy aisle. With its high protein and low carb counts, cottage cheese is a healthy addition to just about any meal or snack. Its creamy texture and mild flavor blend well with smoothies, dips and breakfast bowls.
Is Cottage Cheese Good for You?
Yes, cottage cheese is good for you. There’s a reason why everyone from professional athletes to your best friend’s grandmother can’t get enough. This high-protein, low-carb snack scores in the nutrition department. In addition to being a good source of protein, cottage cheese has been found to promote a healthy weight.
A study in Nutrition and Food Science found that eating cottage cheese can reduce postprandial blood glucose levels. This measures your blood sugar after eating and is crucial for preventing and managing diabetes. Try adding cottage cheese to your usual morning toast or substituting it for ricotta in tonight’s lasagna. Another study from 2012 followed individuals who ate diets high in protein (including cottage cheese) for a year and found that this diet helped the participants lose weight and maintain that weight loss.
Cottage cheese could help you recover from that Crossfit workout quicker, too. A 2018 study concluded that eating a high-protein meal or snack like cottage cheese after exercise can aid in muscle recovery and prevent breakdown. Try adding cottage cheese to your post-workout smoothie or enjoying a bowl with berries and sliced almonds.
Cottage Cheese Benefits & Nutrition
Protein makes up almost 70 percent of the calories in cottage cheese. One cup of 2 percent milkfat cottage cheese has 194 calories, 8.3 grams of carbs, 5.5 grams of fat and a whopping 26.7 grams of protein. It’s also rich in vitamins like vitamin B12 and minerals like selenium. While it gets nutritional points for all these benefits, cottage cheese can also be high in sodium and sugar. Check the label and opt for a low-sodium option like Good Culture.
Is It OK to Eat Cottage Cheese Every Day?
Yes, cottage cheese can be part of a healthy diet every day. If you’re sensitive to dairy, look for a lactose-free option like Green Valley Creamery.
The versatility of cottage cheese recipes makes it easy to incorporate this protein-packed treat into any meal. It can go from a hearty breakfast to a satisfying midnight snack and everything in between.
What to Eat with Cottage Cheese
- Top brown sugar oatmeal pancakes with cottage cheese and fresh berries.
- Mix low-sodium cottage cheese into this fruit salad.
- Spread creamy cottage cheese over whole-grain toast and serve with a healthy smoothie.
- Replace the cheese in healthy Italian recipes with low-fat cottage cheese.
- Stir cottage cheese into vegetable dip and serve with colorful bell peppers.
- Skip the sour cream on your baked potato and use rich cottage cheese instead.
Try These Recipes Made with Cottage Cheese
Healthy LasagnaI’ve never been quick to pass along my special recipes, but this one is so good that it’s become our family’s Christmas Eve tradition! —Michelle Behan, Littleton, Colorado
BlintzesThese elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
Mexican Breakfast CasseroleTomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra-cheesy egg bake. It's a favorite for breakfast or brunch but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin
Cottage Cheese CheesecakeYou'll never believe this cottage cheese cheesecake doesn't contain any cream cheese. Instead, it gets its creamy and thick texture from high-protein, pureed cottage cheese. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Ham & Gruyere Mini QuichesWhen you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I have also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas
Blintz PancakesBlending sour cream and cottage cheese, ingredients traditionally associated with blintzes, into the batter of these pancakes gives them old-fashioned flavor. Top these family favorites with berry syrup to turn an ordinary morning into an extraordinary day.—Dianna Digoy, San Diego, California
Spinach TurnoversThe flaky cream cheese pastry adds sensational texture to these hot appetizers—and just wait until you taste the wonderful filling. I usually fix a double batch and freeze some to have on hand in case unexpected guests drop by. — Jean von Bereghy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Green Chile Egg CasseroleGreen chilies add a touch of Southwest flavor to this fluffy egg dish. The cottage cheese offers nice texture, and people always love the gooey Montery Jack cheese melted throughout.
—Laurel Leslie, Sonora, California
Cheesy Egg PuffsMy father loves to entertain, and these buttery egg delights are one of his favorite items to serve at brunch. The leftovers are perfect to reheat in the microwave on busy mornings, so Dad always stashes a few aside for me to take home once the party is over. —Amy Soto, Winfield, Kansas
Spinach ‘n’ Broccoli EnchiladasI like to top this wonderful meatless meal with lettuce and serve it with extra picante sauce. It's quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying! —Lesley Tragesser, Charleston, Missouri
Cheese-Stuffed ShellsWhen I was living in California, I tasted this rich cheesy pasta dish at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. I got the recipe and made a few changes to it in my own kitchen. I'm happy to share it with you. —Lori Mecca, Grants Pass, Oregon
Canadian Bacon Onion QuicheFor more than 20 years, we sold our homegrown specialty onions at the farmers market. I handed out this favorite recipe for a classic quiche to all our customers. —Janice Redford, Cambridge, Wisconsin
ButterhornsThis recipe is an unusual but delicious way to use cottage cheese. Friends of ours make these every year for a party that follows our fall cattle drive. They are so delicious they're always the first food to disappear.
Sausage ManicottiThis classic Italian entree comes together in a snap but tastes as if it took hours. It's so tasty and easy to fix. My family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota
Amish Breakfast CasseroleWe enjoyed hearty breakfast casseroles during a visit to an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the women told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it a bit to create this version that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana
Cottage Cheese Ice CreamThick, creamy and subtly sweet, this cottage cheese ice cream comes together in just five minutes and is packed with protein. Perfect for a light treat after dinner, you can also use peanut butter, chocolate chips or berries to vary the flavor. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Garden Veggie Egg BakeLooking for a healthy day-starter? Children will actually enjoy eating their veggies when they’re baked into this cheesy, nutrition-packed egg dish. —JoAnne Wilson, Roselle Park, New Jersey
Baked SpaghettiThis is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Creamy Seafood EnchiladasShrimp and crab cooked with a flavorful sauce add up to outstanding enchiladas. I made them for an annual fundraiser, and now they’re always in demand. Spice up the recipe to your taste by adding more green chiles and salsa. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska
Florentine Spaghetti BakeThis hearty sausage entree will appeal to just about everyone. My daughter serves it often to her hardworking family on their wheat ranch in Montana. —Lorraine Martin, Lincoln, California
Zucchini LasagnaWe plant zucchini every year and always seem to have more than we can use! This hearty zucchini lasagna is a delicious way to use an abundant crop. —Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
Sloppy Joe PastaSince I found this quick-to-fix recipe a few years ago, it's become a regular part of my menu plans. Everyone loves the combination of sloppy joe ingredients, shell pasta and cheddar cheese. —Lynne Leih, Idyllwild, California
Egg and Broccoli CasseroleFor years, I've prepared this filling egg casserole—which is delicious for brunch—in my slow cooker. It's an unusual recipe for a slow cooker, but folks always welcome it and go back for seconds wherever I serve it. —Janet Sliter, Kennewick, Washington
Chiles Rellenos SouffleAfter we spent the night at our friends’ house in Arizona, we awoke to the tantalizing aroma of an egg soufflé. This recipe brings back wonderful memories. —Pat Coyne, Las Vegas, Nevada
Cottage Cheese Mac and CheeseHomemade cottage cheese mac and cheese is made even better with salty, tangy cottage cheese and two kinds of cheddar. Not only does cottage cheese add a lovely tanginess to this decadently rich mac and cheese, but it’s also high in protein. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cottage Cheese Cookie DoughIf you used to get scolded as a kid for sneaking a bite of raw cookie dough, I have a version of this guilty pleasure that's mom-approved. This egg-free, edible cookie dough uses cottage cheese for a protein-packed, chocolate chip-filled sweet treat. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Cottage Cheese WafflesCottage cheese and extra eggs make these waffles soft and moist, with a different texture than other waffles. This is my family's favorite Sunday breakfast.
Bananas Foster Frozen Protein DessertI love this recipe because it’s decadent while still on the healthy side. It’s high in protein too, so it feels like an indulgence while still providing good fuel for the body. —Liz McLaughlin, Ramona, California
Ham BiscuitsI enjoy entertaining friends at luncheons. They always compliment me on these special little ham sandwiches made on cheesy homemade biscuits. Usually, I use Smithfield ham, but if salty ham is not your preference, any thin-sliced ham works well. —Betsy Hedeman, Timonium, Maryland
Kugel RecipeI made this dish for a party with our friends. It was a big hit! —Lauren Kargen, Buffalo, New York
Pierogi CasseroleMy husband never tires of this hearty pierogi casserole, no matter how many times I serve it. It's great for potlucks, too! —Margaret Popou, Kaslo, British Columbia
Dill BreadThis golden brown loaf is moist and flavorful. Dill weed gives each wedge an herbed zest, making it a nice complement to most any meal. What's more, this easy yeast bread requires no kneading! —Corky Huffsmith, Salem, Oregon
Recipes Using Cottage Cheese FAQs
What can I make with cottage cheese for breakfast?
Dishes to make with cottage cheese for breakfast are breakfast casseroles, cottage cheese pancakes or waffles, breakfast bowls, cottage cheese cinnamon toast, frittatas and egg bites. A secret cottage cheese hack that's gone viral lately is immersion-blending cottage cheese with two eggs, then cooking the mixture into a high-protein scrambled egg dish.
How do I use cottage cheese in savory dishes?
Use cottage cheese in various savory dishes as a ricotta, cream, sour cream or Greek yogurt replacement. Savory dishes can include casseroles, sauces like vodka sauce or Alfredo sauce, and lasagna and other pasta bake recipes.
Can cottage cheese be used as a substitute in recipes?
Yes, cottage cheese is a great substitute for sour cream, Greek yogurt, ricotta and even cream in a few cream-based recipes.
