Got Cottage Cheese? Here Are 3 Delicious Ways to Make the Most of It

Cottage cheese isn't for everyone. While some love its soft, creamy texture and nutritional punch—low in calories, high in protein—others find the lumpy texture and tangy flavor hard to enjoy. It’s a polarizing ingredient, to say the least.

But if you’ve got it, why not put it to good use? Here are a few creative ways to incorporate cottage cheese into your meals, moving beyond the usual spoonful (if that’s not your thing). It’s a surprisingly versatile ingredient that can stand in for many other dairy products. Let’s explore some options.

Swap it for Cream Cheese

It might sound odd, since one is soft and creamy while the other is firm and smooth, but cottage cheese can actually work as a great substitute for cream cheese—trust us, it’s tastier than you think!

To remove excess moisture (or whey) from cottage cheese, simply drain it by placing it in a sieve and letting it sit for a few minutes. If you're making a dip, sauce, frosting, or any other uncooked recipe, blend the drained cheese in a blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy. Add any desired flavorings and enjoy.

When using cottage cheese to replace cream cheese in baked goods, you’ll need to boost its fat content. Follow the draining steps above, blend it briefly, and then wrap it in cheesecloth or a clean towel to squeeze out even more moisture. Next, add an equal amount of heavy cream to the mixture. This extra fat will ensure your baked treats, like cheesecake, turn out rich and creamy, not dry or crumbly.

Add Cottage Cheese to Your Pancake Batter for Extra Fluff

It might seem odd to add cottage cheese to pancake batter, but the results are delicious. The batter uses less flour, relying more on eggs and cottage cheese for texture. The outcome is a protein-packed pancake that will keep you satisfied longer than a typical flour-based version.

For the best texture, choose small curd cottage cheese to avoid large lumps while eating (they won’t taste bad, but might feel a bit off). If you can’t find it, simply mash regular cottage cheese with a fork. Once your pancakes are cooked, top them with jam, maple syrup, Nutella, or any other sweet topping you like.

Mix It Into Scrambled Eggs

Grated cheese is a classic addition to scrambled eggs, but cottage cheese? It’s a surprisingly perfect match. The tangy, savory flavor of cottage cheese complements the eggs beautifully. While it doesn’t melt completely, the curds integrate into the eggs, creating a rich, creamy texture.

Cottage cheese not only boosts the protein content but also helps you stretch the servings without adding more eggs. Reviewers love this method, with one saying, “This recipe made the fluffiest scrambled eggs ever—no dryness, just creamy perfection. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some extra calcium!”