Recipes
If you’ve spent any time searching for how to increase your protein intake lately, odds are some (many) cottage cheese recipes have popped up. A single serving can boast around 12 grams of protein (that’s equivalent to two eggs). But this ingredient is more than a high-protein snack or Greek yogurt alternative. The fresh, soft cheese is rich and tangy and is just as enjoyable alongside fresh fruit and honey as it is folded into sauce for a bubbling baked pasta.
I’ll be honest: It took me a while to get into cottage cheese. For years I associated it with those sad “health plates” at diners and an unpleasantly lumpy texture. But there are lots of ways to be creative with this ingredient and I’ve officially become a convert. Especially now that there are so many high-quality full-fat options available. (Low-fat cottage cheese is inherently less flavorful.)
In recipes for dips, pastas, and fritters, cottage cheese acts quite similarly to other fresh cheeses like ricotta. And if the curds hold you back, you’ve got to start blending cottage cheese, which totally transforms its texture. Start there (with a cottage cheese-thickened smoothie), then keep going by adding a scoop to other dishes. You might just find the next day you’re eating it straight from the container.