13 Creative Cottage Cheese Recipes That'll Convert Even the Haters

Grace Elkus
·2 min read
11
Bowl of cottage cheese pasta.
Credit: Kelli Foster Credit: Kelli Foster

Whether you’ve been singing its praises for years or just bought your first tub thanks to TikTok, cottage cheese is definitely here to stay. The versatile ingredient adds protein and richness to all sorts of sweet and savory dishes, whether you leave it as-is or whip it until creamy.

From three-ingredient pancakes to lighter stuffed shells, this creative collection of easy, high-protein recipes proves cottage cheese has staying power.

Impossibly Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta
Impossibly Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta

Impossibly Creamy Cottage Cheese Pasta

Luscious, bright, and tangy, this weeknight pasta is the best way to get acquainted with cooking with cottage cheese.

3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes
3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes

3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These high-protein, low-fat 3-ingredient cottage cheese pancakes have a fluffy texture with a subtly sweet flavor.

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Omelet
High-Protein Cottage Cheese Omelet

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Omelet

Spooned into the center of a spinach-laced omelet, cottage cheese melts into a wholesome, creamy filling and adds an extra boost of protein.

Egg Muffins
Egg Muffins

Egg Muffins

These make-ahead egg muffins are packed with cottage cheese and veggies for a portable, high-protein breakfast.

Broccoli and Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Broccoli and Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Broccoli and Cheese Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Tender strands of spaghetti squash are tossed with crisp-tender broccoli and enveloped in a fluffy, cheesy custard, giving you all the best parts of the classic side.

Chickpea Casserole with Lemon, Herbs & Shallots
Chickpea Casserole with Lemon, Herbs & Shallots

Chickpea Casserole with Lemon, Herbs & Shallots

This meatless vegetarian dish is bright with lemon zest and herbs, and gets finished off with a crunchy, olive oil-drizzled crust of Parmesan and breadcrumbs.

Weeknight Skillet Lasagna
Weeknight Skillet Lasagna

Weeknight Skillet Lasagna

Cooked in just one skillet on the stovetop, this is truly a weeknight lasagna that you can add to your dinner rotation.

Easy Ranch Quick Bread
Easy Ranch Quick Bread

Easy Ranch Quick Bread

All the herby flavor of homemade ranch dressing in a hearty, easy-to-make quick bread.

Cornmeal Muffins with Roasted Red Peppers and Feta
Cornmeal Muffins with Roasted Red Peppers and Feta

Cornmeal Muffins with Roasted Red Peppers and Feta

This super-simple, high-protein, naturally gluten-free muffin is for anyone who prefers a savory breakfast.

Lighter Stuffed Pasta Shells
Lighter Stuffed Pasta Shells

Lighter Stuffed Pasta Shells

Cottage cheese has a rich flavor and creamy texture that makes it a surprisingly good stand-in for ricotta. The parmesan sprinkled on top also gives a burst of cheesy flavor in every bite.

Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups
Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

These pasta pinwheels are stuffed with cottage cheese and oodles of spinach, making them one of the easiest (and tastiest) dinners you'll make all month.

Noodle Kugel
Noodle Kugel

Noodle Kugel

Of the many styles, sweet noodle kugel is the one most often seen on the table during Shabbat. This one features super-thick labneh along with cottage cheese.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach & Red Peppers
Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach & Red Peppers

Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Spinach & Red Peppers

This “lighter” baked macaroni and cheese casserole relies on a combination of cottage cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese for its creamy base.