I have declared cottage cheese to be a hero in the kitchen. Yes, cottage cheese. Why? Because there are all kinds of yummy things you can make with it to finish off a meal – or to create a meal. Surprisingly, I found it within myself to write an entire article about the wonders of cottage cheese.
You can read all of my amazing cottage cheese insights over at Deal Moon.
So, are you a cottage cheese lover?
By the way, at our house we sometimes call it college cheese. I don’t know why. But we crack up at ourselves every single time. Clever, aren’t we?
I’ve ALWAYS loved cottage cheese. Growing up my mom always put it in pancakes to up the protein. It’s YUMMY in pancakes :)
We love cottage cheese here too! When the boys were very young (& still now sometimes) we called it ‘cotton cheese’
I love cottage cheese, especially in lasagna, my family’s fav dinner!
I don’t like cottage cheese, but I might have to give it a try after I read this article.
I already like cottage cheese, but I’m very curious to read your ENTIRE article on it’s wondrous qualities =)
Love Cottage Cheese but it depends on the brand. I’m surprised at the differences in flavor between different brands. Cottage cheese is often on the table at lunchtime.
E-books? How about Totally Tortilla?
Most of my family is lactose intolerant…….ughhh…..so I don’t use cottage cheese. Do you know if there is a lacto-intolerant brand? That would be soooooooo cool! Thanks, Karen
What brand do you like best?
I really like Organic Valley brand, but it’s hard to come by where I live. I usually get Sinton’s Dairy cottage cheese because our Walmart carries it. It is at least made with milk that doesn’t have hormones so I feel pretty good about it.
I add chives to mine and spread it on crackers, yummy snack!
I love cottage cheese! It’s a must on any kind of salad that I use a Thousand Island type dressing on…. mmmm…. especially with baby shrimp, green onion, tomato, a bit of salt and lots of pepper! My dad loved it with peaches.
I actually served my kids applesauce & cottage cheese this morning for breakfast.
I also make cottage cheese pancakes (1 c cottage cheese, 3 eggs, 1/4 c flour, 2 tbs veggie oil – cook on a griddle like pancakes). My kids & I love them. We eat them plain & they give a lot more protein, I think, than regular pancakes.
I never buy cottage cheese. I don’t know why. I think next time I hit the grocery store I will get some. I am now very curious about the applesauce mixed in, lol.
I hated cottage cheese as a kid. HATED it. But now I like it okay- I love it as an alternative to ricotta in lasagna.
I like it in lasagna, which is good since I don’t like ricotta cheese at all.
Great cottage cheese ideas! I haven’t been getting it often, either, and now I’m inspired! Do I remember seeing a post on your blog about making your own, too? I’ll have to check …
I like cottage cheese, no one else in my house likes it though.
I always use cottage cheese instead of ricotta in my manicotti. Yum!
Nope, I don’t like it. I prefer ricotta in lasagna and spaghetti pie.
I like it with a spoonful of apple butter and some wheat germ.
Yum, Pam
I can’t eat it uncooked. Something about the texture I think. But I LOVE it cooked or blended into things. Lasagna is my favorite thing to use it for. The fruit salad sounds wonderful. Do you ever use the knox unflavored gelatine to make jello?
Not such a big fan of the cottage cheese. However, I will read your post. Perhaps I’ll find something I might like to try :)
I was craving cottage cheese just the other day. This was a timely post!
I’ve never bought cottage cheese, and I never had it growing up. I don’t really know anything about it.
I am huge fan of cottage cheese for myself as well as my child care kids as an added protein. OH & I use it in my favorite homemade Macaroni & cheese recipe. I am headed over to your other site to see whatelse I can learn :)
i am trying to love cottage cheese.. for some reason, it’s always grossed me out.
Looking forward to reading that. We like cottage cheese here. :)
It’s college cheese at our house, too. When our oldest would come home from college we’d have it and our 3yo called it college cheese for that reason.
I like cottage cheese, but rarely seem to buy it. I’ll have to add it to my list now, so that when I going shopping next month, I’ll remember to pick up some.
Totally Tortillas for me.
i love cottage cheese…hubby and the kids not so much. but my favorite way is with fruit or in a lasagna.
We, too love the Organic Valley brand. As a heads up, I emailed the company recently telling them how much I like their products and they sent me some coupons in the mail.
See the coupons they sent me here. http://a-heart4home.blogspot.com/2010/09/getting-coupons-for-things-you-use.html
We love it, too, but I sometimes forget about it. Great ideas in your article.
We get Organic Valley cottage cheese, too. I like to mix a little bit of thousand island dressing with it.
I didn’t grow up eating cottage cheese so I really never know what to do with it. I know it is a great source of protein and would love to starting cooking with/using it. Thanks for sharing the article. I’m excited about trying some of your suggestions!
I was never a cottage cheese fan until last year. It was the only thing I craved beside steak during my pregnancy. I converted my husband too. Now it is a regular side!
We love cottage cheese too! My kids aren’t so keen on eating it plain, but if it is hidden in the casserole we are good.
I like to eat it plain or with sliced tomatoes.
I also like to use it in lasagna or potsangna (a one pot, quick, alternative)
Two of my three kiddos and I like it in scrambled eggs and sometimes in lasagna.
We eat TONS of cottage cheese. One of my favorite snacks is cottage cheese with some dried dill mixed in and then using Tato Skin chips to eat it with. Maybe not the healthiest, but oh so good.
I only like dry cottage cheese… can’t stand the other stuff. It’s too slimey!
My husband adores it!
So many uses for cottage cheese: pancakes, waffles, muffins, with tuna, with fruit, on crackers, plain, in pasta,.
Thanks for the post. Lactaid makes a brand of cottage cheese for those who are lactose intolerant.
Not really a fan of it. I’d rather make ricotta and use that – although it’s practically the same thing. :>)
My family doesn’t eat cottage cheese but I wish they did as it is such an easy option that goes with many meals. I am always tempted to try to it again when I see posts like this but I still haven’t found anyway that they will eat it.
Giggle! Laura you can always make me laugh, even when it is a bad day. Loved the Cottage Cheese post!
We love it mixed with salsa for a quick dip for corn tortilla chips.
I can’t quite get over its lumpiness. I think in the spaghetti would be good, but just plain old cottage cheese, I can’t do. I guess I’m a cottage cheese-aphobic
Cottage cheese should be a “super food”. Seriously.
I eat it on spinach instead of salad dressing.
LOVE cottage cheese. I can’t eat it sweet but I love it with some sea salt and pepper next to fresh sliced tomatoes–yummy!
Love cottage cheese! I use it as a filling for crepes. Mixed with a bit of confectioners sugar or honey, and soe spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg… delicious. I often add an egg to the ixture as well. Then I throw the rolled up crepes into the oven for a heat through!
I dont often buy cottage cheese, it’s not a matter of not liking it, I just never think of it. I am off to read your article, I am sure it is will inspire me to indulge :-)
We don’t like cottage cheese much at all….but I use it in your lasagna casserole and it is YUMMY!
I love the stuff, but do not buy it too often as my son and I can eat a whole large size container in one sitting. I know it can be made at home, but haven’t ventured into that arena yet! I have been making lots of yogurt and yogurt cheese and am using that in stuffed shells (and pumpkin cream cheese muffins, if you must know!) and other pasta dishes.
But we love the real stuff too!
Heather
Cottage cheese is one of the foods that I just can’t seem to eat. Its a texture issue.
Unless it’s hidden in a dish, no one in my family likes cottage cheese except for me. I love it topped with home canned peaches or mandarin oranges!
I call it college cheese too, just to be silly. :) I love it with apple butter on it. YUM!
Right there with ‘ya on the college cheese! HA HA
I have loved Cottage Cheese since I was a child… do you know the sign of a good salad bar at a restaurant? It HAS to have cottage cheese! We eat it for breakfast and use it in our lasagna (even though I drain it I find it runny still…). Would love some new ideas for using it!!
if you don’t precook your noodles then your lasagna probably won’t be runny when using cottage cheese
My daughter and I love cottage cheese. When she was smaller (ok, sometimes still at 8 yrs old), she would call it cabbage cheese. ;)
My husband loves applesauce and cottage cheese.
Another use:
If you buy packaged mac and cheese with the powder cheese, skip the butter and milk and stir a cup of cottage cheese in with the cheese powder. It is a lot yummier and adds more protein.
I LOVED cottage cheese growing up, but haven’t bought it much since getting married. I’m not quite sure why! Maybe I’ll have to pick some up next time I’m at the store. :)
Cottage cheese YUM! I love your ebooks!
I just can’t get over the texture. I wish I could…
Our family loves cottage cheese.
I usually eat cottage cheese with juice-sweetened jelly, but I have also been enjoying it on those kashi triscuit-style crackers (almost like a dip), and my FAVORITE way to have it is with chopped fresh herbs (any kind works!) mixed in. I think I got this idea from a weight watchers recipe, and I was amazed at how good such a simple thing can taste!
I love cottage cheese! Nuf said.
I like to stir cottage cheese into all kinds of soups… yeah, I know. But it makes them creamy, full of calcium, and all with less than the fat and calories of sour cream. Don’t knock it ’till you try it! Veggie… tomato… even Lentil Bean
When I was pregnant I LOVED cottage cheese, tomato, cucumber, salt and pepper! – yummy!
I always have cottage cheese on hand. So many uses I can’t imagine my kitchen without it.
I love this post and all your yummy cottage cheese ideas!!
Cottage cheese is the greatest!!! here’s my FAV, and famous cottage cheese recipe, that i just must share!!!!
COTTAGE CHEESE AND NOODLES!!!!
everyone thinks it’s weird when i explain it and when i first got together with the love of my life he thought it would be absolutly disgusting, but it is now his fav!!!!
you need: a bag of egg noodles, a stick of butter, a large container of large curd cottage cheese, salt/pepper
boil noodles til done, while they are boiling, place your stick of butter in sauce pan over med heat and brown it. Drain noodles, pour browned butter over noodles and toss til they’re well coated, stir in cottage cheese, salt and pepper to taste!!!
I serve it with kielbasa or chicken, but it is great alone! it’s my fav comfort food! so, give it a try!! if you try it and love it(i know u will) thank my mama and my grandma, its a hand me down recipe! my grandma called it the “poor folks dish” :)
With an entire stick of butter how can it be bad??? Yikes!
yep! it definitely isnt in my healthy recipes section, but it is my fav comfort food!!
Love cottage cheese! I love to eat it with fruit, tomatoes, applesauce, and tortilla chips!
You have inspired us to try cream cheese. Thank you for sharing your ideas – we love them.
I’ve only ever eaten it as is with fruit. Thanks for showing me the possibilities.
I add a quarter cup extra of water to my brown rice (I don’t like it “crunchy” at all) and a teensy bit of olive oil to the water) Had to do it with white rice to keep the stuff from climbing the wall of the pot and boiling over and just kept doing it with the brown. You’re right that 45 minutes is a must. Kinda hard for moms that work and have to come home and do a meal so the rice has to go on FIRST, then prepare everything else. Nother wonder is my hubby says that the Himalayan sea salt I now use is not (as good as or salty as) table salt. Any comment on that? I have not determined if he’s out of his mind or just doesn’t like change. LOL
We go through about 10 containers of cottage cheese a week in our house! We put veggie/fruit smoothie and cottage cheese in our oatmeal every morning, we always add it to pastas, you can blend it to a puree and use it to thicken soups and sauces (in lieu of flour and butter or cornstarch), it’s great in smoothies, you can also blend it up with other ingredients to make healthy dips (avocado, peanut butter, etc). I’ve also found that whenever my kids don’t like something I’ve cooked, I can usually get them to eat it by simply adding cottage cheese to it. Hail cottage cheese! ;)
I bought some cottage cheese recently (we like it, but never think to get it), but then I realized that I was substituting the cottage cheese in places that I would normally eat yogurt. So I thought for us maybe it’s not the best thing to have around. What are your thoughts on yogurt vs. cottage cheese?
Mmmm, I love cottage cheese. I’ve been eating it with applesauce since I was young…such a great combo!
Cottage cheese and melon is deeeelicious
I actually hardly ever buy it… maybe I need to give it a try. We use a lot of that ‘Neufachatel’ cheese that’s a lower fat version of cream cheese. Or sour cream. But I guess I need to give the cottage cheese a chance :)
I feel the same way about sour cream, low fat cream cheese and plain yogurt so I look forward to reading this article. Thank you!
I loved cottage cheese while I was pregnant but we haven’t had a any lately. I am going to have to get some.
What kind of cottage cheese do you buy? I find it hard to find any without a whole bunch of added blech to it.
I only buy cottage cheese when I make lasagna. I would love any tips/secrets on where to buy a “healthier” brand……..
It is definitely a dairy item I don’t miss since going dairy free! I just could never get past the spoiled milk smell and taste… I did like it in lasagna though :-)
I like to sprinkle cottage cheese with your home made ranch dip mix, then use it as a dip for rippled potatoe chips…
We call it college cheese too!!!! We say “time to get smart & eat our college cheese”! LOL
I love cottage cheese but i dont buy it very often. Hubby likes the tip about stirring it into leftover spaghetti. Thanks for all the great tips!
The last couple of times I bought cottage cheese, we didn’t use it all :(. It’s one of those things that I like eating from salad bars, but if I buy for home – unless I’m going to use it for a recipe like lasagna, I don’t eat very much.
weWe love the versatility of cottage cheese and use it as a substitute for may other types of cheeses or sour cream (blend in blender with 1 Tbsp lemon juice).
I would love the 1st ebook about cookies
Cottage cheese? Not so much…
I love it with cold pineapple on top for something sweet and refreshing, or with pepper sprinkled on it for something not so sweet!
I noticed most folks here mentioned buying cottage cheese, but it’s actually pretty easy to make and of course tastes less “processed” than store bought. I saw Alton Brown make it on Good Eats once and it was amazingly simple. The only caveat is that his recipe is too salty for my tastes, so start conservatively and season to taste.
I don’t know if I can put a link, but a quick search for “Alton Brown Cottage Cheese” should take you to the right place. There’s also a clip of the episode up on youtube for the visual learners.
I like my cottage cheese with peaches or pineapple! YUM!
My kids and I LOVE cottage cheese. However, two of our three kids have recently developed a dairy aversion, one of whom is our nursing 2-month old, which means I’m on their diet. We’re slowing reintroducing different forms of dairy to determine what is triggering their reactions. So, unfortunately, no cottage cheese for us in the near future.
We used to eat a lot of cottage cheese, but I too realized that has some bad stuff in it. I bought organic cottage cheese, but my picky 5 year old only likes certain kinds of cottage cheese, and apparently not that kinds. Oh well. Would love to know if you have a good brand that tastes good.
We enjoy cottage cheese! I like to mix in chopped onion, salt/pepper and for a little color, fresh chives. Yum! I prefer it savory rather than with fruit.
Growing up, my mom made enchiladas with a cottage cheese filling and to this day, it’s really one of the only ways I like to eat enchiladas! Basically she mixed half cottage cheese, half sour cream, sprinkled in some cheddar cheese and wrapped in a tortilla. Pour some enchilada sauce over it and bake. YUMMERS! Can’t beat that, AND it’s simple.
Also, my dad taught me to mix salsa and cottage cheese to top things like burritos. He also taught me that nothing is yummier than some cold cottage cheese mixed in with some warm, outta-the-oven mac and cheese. I don’t know why, but the temperature combination is just phenomenal!
My husband taught me to stir in a few teaspoons of Jam or Jelly with cottage cheese. It is yummy! His mom did this for him when he was little to “hide” the taste. I also love mine with pineapple and a sprinkle of All-Bran Buds or Grape-Nuts. That adds some fiber and a wonderful crunch!
We love cottage cheese. Make your own cottage cheese! You will never buy again. I have a method on my blog but you can find the instructions all over the internet.
I’m not a fan of cottage cheese, but my husband loves it!
We like cottage cheese in place of ricotta in lasagna. It’s a little moister. I am bummed out a bit, as I hoped you’d have instructions on how to MAKE cottage cheese. :-(
I would love to win one of your ebooks! There are so many that look good!
I found a recipe once to mix cottage cheese with salsa to make a chip dip with some protein in it for a more nutritious snack. It’s not bad!
I love me some cottage cheese! Unfortunately hubby pretty much despises it so I don’t get it very much…
It’s been ages since I’ve bought cottage cheese. I’ll have to try it again soon!
I can’t believe someone else calls it college cheese!!! When my girls were little (they are now 23 and 26) that’s what they called it and everyone thought that was strange.
The only time I have cottage cheese is when I visit my grandparents. I think they eat some everyday with their fruit.
Over at Cultures for Health, I found a cheese-making packet for hard cheeses. I believe a cottage cheese was in there. Cottage cheese is a compromise food for me. I don’t like all the stuff in the commercial kind. It would be fun to make my own. Has anyone tried it?
I tried making cheese years ago. It was the best flop I’ve ever made. I don’t know remember what I did wrong, but it was a grand cheese soup. Go for it! You may come up with a new recipe.
Oh, my! You had a good start to a cottage cheese list, but there is sooooo much more!
My son and I love cottage cheese, and eat it in all the ways that you suggested, and a lot more.
Cottage cheese pancakes – one of our favorites
Cottage cheese bread/rolls – again, our family favorite
Cottage cheese enchiladas – so yummy
Cottage cheese cinnamon rolls – protein makes them better for you, right???
We also blend it (so my husband doesn’t freak out) and use it in almost every dip with might make.
It’s incredible as a substitute for ricotta, so we use it in lasagna and baked ziti.
Try searching in Allrecipes for cottage cheese as an ingredient and it amazing what you come up with! These are just a few or our favorites.
If you can’t get your little ones to eat cottage cheese, try a spoonful of jelly on top – yumdelicious. (You know you’ve been following Laura for a while when you start making up words!)
I saw another discussion like this one on another site. Don’t ask me where it was because I so DON”T remember. Anyway, everyone kept saying they put cinnamon on it. I thought it sounded crazy but I tried it and it is pretty good. I keep trying to get my 7 yr old daughter to try it and it is hopeless. She is the picky eater in the family.
My daughter and I LOVE cottage cheese and eat a lot of it. We probably go through a Costco size container in 2 weeks. I was wondering if you have ever made it and if it comes out to be cheaper. My research seems to make it come out about the same price but so much more work.
Thanks
I have attempted to make cottage cheese before but haven’t figured out a good recipe that I like. :)
i cant ever “make” anything well. so i try to find the most natural foods that I can tolerate. (food sensitivity) but I love daisy brand cottage cheese. actually all daisy brand products for their simple ingredient list. i only eat cc with fruit and my kids only eat it with salt and pepper. and sadly the closest trader joes is an hour and a half drive away and I have never even seen a whole foods store before. so i have a list from aldi, walmart, meijer and kroger of the foods i can eat.
Today (4/18/12) on the Dr. Oz show, he says Cottage Cheese and Pickles are good together…..doesn’t sound good to me, but will try it when I buy some cottage cheese….
This was how I first started eating cottage cheese,I use it in many recipes, but I do not eat it by itself.
My Aunt Leotia used to make this, we dubbed it Aunt Leotia’s Salad (How original!)
2 boxes lime jello
1 can drained pineapple chunks
1 lb cottage cheese
1 container cool whip
Mix together, refrigerate, I don’t remember how long, I do mine the night before. I use different mix-in’s too, orange jello or mandarin orange slices, the possibilities are endless.
OOPS That is crushed pineapple
Hi Jane,
This does sound good….but what size box of jello do you use, and what size can of pineapple and what size container of cool whip ????
2 Small boxes or 1 large of the jello and just the regular sizes of
pineapple 20oz and Cool Whip 8 oz. I tend to use the generics, but
the sizes are pretty standard.I don’t have any jello to look at
for size.
I think I might make it strawberry with fresh strawberries I have
gotten with my Consumer Supported Agriculture Share.
Not sure they would hold up for more than one serving though…
any thoughts? Maybe if I made then let set, and
added strawberries right before serving?
Made strawberry short cake last night. I still have 2 quarts left.
I’ve made this as a double or tripple batch with fresh strawberries, bananas, halved grapes, apples or whatever fruit I have on hand. I also add 8 oz sour cream to a single batch. I’ve made it without the sour cream before but the flavors are more balanced with it. Tangy and sweet. My MIL always does a double batch with 1pkg marshmallows and a couple cans of fruit cocktail. We both mix up everything and leave it in the fridge over night or at least 4 hours then serve. If there’s anything left over it keeps in the fridge for at least 4 days including strawberries. The exception is if there are bananas or marshmallows in which it lasts 2 days max. Super Yummy!
Thanks Jane, for the info….