Cottage cheese: how to use this protein-rich cheese in the kitchen in so many ways
For a long time, things didn’t quite work out between Hüttenkase and me (because of associations with boring, dieting and not being allowed anything), but when I happened to bring it home again recently, I actually thought it was pretty good stuff. And did you know you can do surprising things with it?!
Cottage cheese as a topping and spread
Okay, if you simply spread cottage cheese on a thick slice of sourdough toast, it’s still a bit boring. But give it some extra kick with sriracha, furikake, crispy chili oil or freshly ground pepper, and you’ve got a perfectly good protein-rich breakfast or lunch. It’s creamy, light and gives your sandwich a fresh twist.
Cheesy pasta dishes with a twist
Did you know cottage cheese is also perfect for replacing cheese in pasta dishes? For example, some of the cheddar in mac and cheese can be replaced with cottage cheese for a lighter, protein-rich version.
You can also replace some of the ricotta in lasagna (my aunt does this and it’s really great) or in Persian potato dumplings. The result: less heavy, but every bit as creamy. Your pasta dishes become wonderfully light, with a subtle freshness you don’t get from regular cheese.
Sweet bakes: pretending to be healthy
Cottage cheese isn’t just savory. It also works brilliantly in sweet bakes. You can often replace dairy products such as milk, cream cheese, yogurt or sour cream with cottage cheese.
A favorite in our newsroom: cottage cheese doughnuts with powdered sugar. Just as delicious as a Dutch oliebol, but a little less heavy (and let’s be honest: that extra hint of coconut works wonders). It’s a small cheat, but one that secretly makes you feel a little healthy.
Pancakes: fluffy and protein-rich
Whether you go savory or sweet, cottage cheese makes your pancakes even better. Stirring a spoonful into your batter gives American pancakes extra fluffiness and a substantial shot of protein.
For the healthy version: spinach pancakes with cottage cheese by Jamie Oliver. And yes, you can still pour plenty of syrup over them, because life isn’t a diet book.
Snacks and dips: quick & surprising
In the newsroom, we sometimes swap the classic celery with peanut butter for cottage cheese. It’s also ideal for a quick dip with sriracha and salt for your plain potato chips.
In short: cottage cheese is an all-rounder in the kitchen. From breakfast to dinner, from snack to bake, it can do it all. It’s creamy, light, protein-rich and surprisingly versatile.
Also read:
- What is the difference between Hüttenkäse and cottage cheese?
- Recipe: New York cheesecake
- The perfect lasagna, step by step
