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?
Kim says
I’ve ALWAYS loved cottage cheese. Growing up my mom always put it in pancakes to up the protein. It’s YUMMY in pancakes :)
Maggilou says
We love cottage cheese here too! When the boys were very young (& still now sometimes) we called it ‘cotton cheese’
Elaine says
I love cottage cheese, especially in lasagna, my family’s fav dinner!
Angie Alford says
I don’t like cottage cheese, but I might have to give it a try after I read this article.
melanie says
I already like cottage cheese, but I’m very curious to read your ENTIRE article on it’s wondrous qualities =)
Rhonda says
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?
Karen says
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
Tanya says
What brand do you like best?
Laura says
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.
Katie M. says
I add chives to mine and spread it on crackers, yummy snack!
Celeste says
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.
Merrilee says
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.
Sarah @ Davis Family CEO says
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.
Taryn says
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.
Aya says
I like it in lasagna, which is good since I don’t like ricotta cheese at all.
Rachel B says
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 …
Julie says
I like cottage cheese, no one else in my house likes it though.
Julie says
I always use cottage cheese instead of ricotta in my manicotti. Yum!
Danielle says
Nope, I don’t like it. I prefer ricotta in lasagna and spaghetti pie.
Pam Frohn says
I like it with a spoonful of apple butter and some wheat germ.
Yum, Pam
Rachel says
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?
Lindsy says
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 :)
Lisa says
I was craving cottage cheese just the other day. This was a timely post!
Julie G says
I’ve never bought cottage cheese, and I never had it growing up. I don’t really know anything about it.
Kim says
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 :)
Amy W says
i am trying to love cottage cheese.. for some reason, it’s always grossed me out.
Maggie says
Looking forward to reading that. We like cottage cheese here. :)
Monica says
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.
Lisa says
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.
Sally says
Totally Tortillas for me.
susan says
i love cottage cheese…hubby and the kids not so much. but my favorite way is with fruit or in a lasagna.
Allyson says
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
Danielle says
We love it, too, but I sometimes forget about it. Great ideas in your article.
Courtney says
We get Organic Valley cottage cheese, too. I like to mix a little bit of thousand island dressing with it.
Dawn says
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!
Rachel says
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!
Carrie says
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.
Suanna says
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)
Nicole R. says
Two of my three kiddos and I like it in scrambled eggs and sometimes in lasagna.
Mandy says
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.
Deeder says
I only like dry cottage cheese… can’t stand the other stuff. It’s too slimey!
Sarah Falk says
My husband adores it!
Sheila says
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.
Lenetta says
Not really a fan of it. I’d rather make ricotta and use that – although it’s practically the same thing. :>)
Amanda Sikes says
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.
Carla says
Giggle! Laura you can always make me laugh, even when it is a bad day. Loved the Cottage Cheese post!
Amy Schaffer says
We love it mixed with salsa for a quick dip for corn tortilla chips.
Beth says
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
Amy C. says
Cottage cheese should be a “super food”. Seriously.
I eat it on spinach instead of salad dressing.
Terri says
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!
Bobette says
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!
Marianne says
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 :-)
Jessie Chilson says
We don’t like cottage cheese much at all….but I use it in your lasagna casserole and it is YUMMY!
Heather says
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
Kristin says
Cottage cheese is one of the foods that I just can’t seem to eat. Its a texture issue.
Esther L says
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!
Merry Jo says
I call it college cheese too, just to be silly. :) I love it with apple butter on it. YUM!
Christine says
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!!
Alana says
if you don’t precook your noodles then your lasagna probably won’t be runny when using cottage cheese
Emily says
My daughter and I love cottage cheese. When she was smaller (ok, sometimes still at 8 yrs old), she would call it cabbage cheese. ;)
Teresa says
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.
Alex Hall says
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. :)
Jami says
Cottage cheese YUM! I love your ebooks!
ShorterMama says
I just can’t get over the texture. I wish I could…
Peggy says
Our family loves cottage cheese.
Sara R. says
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!
Mary says
I love cottage cheese! Nuf said.
april says
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
Angela says
When I was pregnant I LOVED cottage cheese, tomato, cucumber, salt and pepper! – yummy!
Debra says
I always have cottage cheese on hand. So many uses I can’t imagine my kitchen without it.
sharon says
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” :)
Alana says
With an entire stick of butter how can it be bad??? Yikes!
sharon says
yep! it definitely isnt in my healthy recipes section, but it is my fav comfort food!!
Kaylee says
Love cottage cheese! I love to eat it with fruit, tomatoes, applesauce, and tortilla chips!
Kristi says
You have inspired us to try cream cheese. Thank you for sharing your ideas – we love them.
Erin says
I’ve only ever eaten it as is with fruit. Thanks for showing me the possibilities.
Jenifer Parker says
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
Alana says
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! ;)
Michelle says
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?
Sarah DJ says
Mmmm, I love cottage cheese. I’ve been eating it with applesauce since I was young…such a great combo!
Sabrina says
Cottage cheese and melon is deeeelicious
Bethany says
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 :)
AmyR says
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!
Stefanie says
I loved cottage cheese while I was pregnant but we haven’t had a any lately. I am going to have to get some.
Lanise says
What kind of cottage cheese do you buy? I find it hard to find any without a whole bunch of added blech to it.
Carmen says
I only buy cottage cheese when I make lasagna. I would love any tips/secrets on where to buy a “healthier” brand……..
Vanessa says
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 :-)
Blair says
I like to sprinkle cottage cheese with your home made ranch dip mix, then use it as a dip for rippled potatoe chips…
Shannon Fowler says
We call it college cheese too!!!! We say “time to get smart & eat our college cheese”! LOL
DorthyM says
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!
Carmen says
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.
Nancy Michel says
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
Tracey says
Cottage cheese? Not so much…
Katie says
I love it with cold pineapple on top for something sweet and refreshing, or with pepper sprinkled on it for something not so sweet!
Phil says
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.
Kristina says
I like my cottage cheese with peaches or pineapple! YUM!
Annie says
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.
Julie says
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.
Lorinda says
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.
Chelsea says
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!
Jackie says
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!
Tarnation says
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.
Janeen says
I’m not a fan of cottage cheese, but my husband loves it!
Dana says
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!
Cheryl says
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!
Katrina says
I love me some cottage cheese! Unfortunately hubby pretty much despises it so I don’t get it very much…
Michelle says
It’s been ages since I’ve bought cottage cheese. I’ll have to try it again soon!
Laurie Plath says
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.
Jaclyn says
The only time I have cottage cheese is when I visit my grandparents. I think they eat some everyday with their fruit.
Rebekah says
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?
Linda says
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.
Becki says
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.
Barbara says
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!)
Amy says
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.
Nicki says
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
Laura says
I have attempted to make cottage cheese before but haven’t figured out a good recipe that I like. :)
bennettfamily says
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.
kentucky Lady 717 says
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….
Jane says
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.
Jane says
OOPS That is crushed pineapple
Kentucky Lady 717 says
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 ????
Jane says
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.
Sarah F says
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!
Kentucky Lady 717 says
Thanks Jane, for the info….