Blended cottage cheese is smooth, creamy and versatile. I'm sharing my favorite recipes, tricks and health benefits of cottage cheese!
Cottage cheese has had its moment this year. I need someone from the cottage cheese PR team to tell me their secrets.
In all seriousness, blending cottage cheese is a food trend that I can stand behind as a recipe developer and dietitian. I've had so much fun experimenting with cottage cheese recipes that I wanted to bring you a full breakdown of recipes, along with some top tips and nutrition facts about cottage cheese.
So what even is cottage cheese? It's considered a soft fresh cheese because it isn't aged. To put it simply, cottage cheese is the curds from milk, with some of the whey liquid retained. It's white, soft and clumpy, which is a texture that turns many people off. Luckily, blended cottage cheese has made this food so much more enjoyable for me and many others.
Blending cottage cheese completely transforms the original, curd-based product into a creamy, smooth texture that can be used so many different ways. If you're just dipping your toes into the world of cottage cheese, consider this a beginner's guide!
Benefits of Cottage Cheese
Let me summarize why you need to try blended cottage cheese.
- High in protein. Cottage cheese is an amazing source of protein with 25g in one cup. It's particularly high in casein protein, which is a slow-digesting protein that promotes muscle growth. If you're vegetarian or don't eat meat, consider including cottage cheese as a high quality protein source.
- Alternative to sour cream or cream cheese. Cottage cheese has a very similar flavour to sour cream and cream cheese. It's also higher in protein and lower in fat, so I love using it as a nutritious swap in recipes.
- Sweet or savoury. Cottage cheese has a fairly neutral flavour, so it's versatile in so many meals or snacks. It's delicious as a savoury dip, or even with a little honey to sweeten it.
Why Blend Cottage Cheese?
The texture issues are REAL and I totally get it. The curds in cottage cheese can be a real barrier to enjoying it, and blending is the perfect solution. In addition, blended cottage cheese allows us to use it like sour cream, cream cheese or even mayonnaise in recipes. I personally think the smooth version is so much more versatile.
How To Make Blended Cottage Cheese
Place all of the cottage cheese into the blender or food processor and begin by mixing at a low speed for about 30 seconds.
Gradually increase the speed to high and blend for another 30 seconds, until creamy and smooth.
Add mix-ins of choice such as honey, spices, fruit etc.
Flavour Variations
Plain cottage cheese is a blank canvas for any add-ins. Try out some of my favouite flavour variations!
- Peanut butter: mix in 2 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 teaspoon of honey while blending
- Chocolate: mix in 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder (or chocolate protein powder) and 2 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey
- Fruity: add ½ cup of your favourite fruit into the blender
- Vanilla cream: add 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 teaspoon of honey
How To Use Blended Cottage Cheese
You can turn smooth cottage cheese into basically anything you want- sweet or savoury! I've listed a few options below.
Dips
One of my go-to ways to use cottage cheese is in a dip. Perfect for dunking veggies, crackers or chips! Think of it like any sour cream based dip.
Dessert
When I say cottage cheese does it all, I mean dessert too. Sweet cottage cheese is a must try, especially if you love cheesecake!
Spreads and Toasts
Sick of avocado toast? Try cottage cheese toast and it'll be your new toast hyperfixation.
Bowls and Meals
With a few toppings and extra ingredients, cottage cheese can easily become a full meal.
Storage
Once blended, the cottage cheese can be added to an airtight container (or returned to the original container) and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Top Tip
Use an immersion blender to make the clean up easier! Just add the tip of the blender right into the cottage cheese tub and blend until smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have started to see smooth cottage cheese in stores, but it's a bit more expensive. Blending cottage cheese at home is so easy that it's my perferred cost-effective option.
When comparing two foods we always want to look at their nutrient profiles, aka what they can offer us in terms of nutritional benefits. Cottage cheese is richer in protein, vitamin B12 and typically has a lower fat content than cream cheese which is why I use it in many of my recipes for a high protein, lower fat option. On the other hand, cream cheese does have lower sodium and more calcium!
Nope, it will still taste like cottage cheese meaning it will have a mild flavour that is slightly less bitter than yogurt.
It's totally up to you. Higher fat percentages (around 4%) will be richer and creamier, while fat free (0%) will have slightly less body. As a dietitian I prefer including some fat for satisfaction and typically go for a 2% cottage cheese.
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to try blended cottage cheese, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Blended Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
- 500 g container cottage cheese
Instructions
- Place all of the cottage cheese into the blender or food processor and begin by mixing at a low speed for about 30 seconds. Gradually increase the speed to high and blend for another 30 seconds, until creamy and smooth.
- Add mix-ins of choice such as honey, spices, fruit etc.
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