Cottage Cheese: Tips, Health Benefits, & 10 Recipes
Cottage cheese is a pretty common and generally favorable food, both as a snack and as an ingredient in lots of dishes, from breakfast to dinner to snacks.
It’s not for everyone, but if you can get away with covertly hiding it in your next meal, you definitely should. There are LOADS of health benefits, and it’s great for weight loss.
Cottage cheese is, obviously, a cheese, making it a dairy product (so if you’re lactose intolerant, maybe skip this one). It’s made by adding a bacterial culture, which produces lactic acid, to pasteurized milk, which causes a separation of milk solids (the curds) from the whey (the liquid).
This is technically a curdling process, and the good bacteria that forms is excellent for your probiotic health! However, not all cottage cheese has good bacteria—be sure to check the label for “live and active cultures.”
Cottage cheese has no added sugars or saturated fat calories, making it an ideal food to keep in your diet if you’re trying to lose weight. A protein called casein is produced in cottage cheese. Casein takes your body longer to absorb and digest, which can help with appetite control and building muscle.
With only 5 grams of carbohydrates, plain cottage cheese is also fantastic for managing or even lowering blood sugar levels.
With calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B12, you really can’t beat cottage cheese in terms of health benefits – and remember, there are so many different ways you can incorporate cottage cheese into your meals!
Here are some of my favorite recipes that include cottage cheese:
1. Protein packed Cottage Cheese Stuffed Chicken
The cottage cheese in this recipe adds a creamy, melty, and rich texture to this Mediterranean-inspired chicken. Paired with spinach, the mixture is stuffed directly into the chicken breasts and then cooked in a pan with bell peppers and cherry tomatoes.
2. Cottage Cheese Meatballs
This dish combines tender meatballs made with cottage cheese and ground chicken with a savory fresh tomato sauce infused with garlic and herbs. Its flavor will leave you craving more. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, this recipe will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.
3. High Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Breakfast Bars
Eating lots of protein in the morning can help boost your energy levels and keep them high all day. These breakfast bars not only have eggs, which are high in protein, but also cottage cheese, making them a double whammy. Not to mention, they’re delicious!
4. Cottage Cheese Ranch Pea Salad
A creamy, tangy salad that’s as easy to make as delicious! With simple ingredients and an easy blend-and-toss process, you’ll have a tasty and nutritious salad ready for dinner or lunch throughout the busy week. Add some crispy nitrate-free bacon for a fun boost of flavor and texture, and you’ve got a super satisfying salad.
5. Strawberry Chia Seed Protein Pudding
Chia seeds add an extra boost of omega-3s, fiber, and protein, making this a satisfying and filling treat. Paired with fresh strawberries, this treat is sure to be a hit with you and your kids alike.
6. Cottage Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
When you think about cottage cheese, you probably don’t consider it a dessert. But it can be mixed up and put in just about anything. Due to its high protein profile, it can boost energy without adding any extra sugars, etc. This makes it a wonderful after-school or after-dinner snack!
7. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Mixed with peanut butter, vanilla, and raw honey or syrup for natural sweetness, this unique take on a fan-favorite dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth but without guilt and possible bloating.
8. Lemon Blueberry High Protein Cheesecake
Here’s a fun, tasty, healthy twist on a classic dessert. We didn’t sacrifice any of the delicious flavors here, trust me! And thanks to the cottage cheese and eggs, it’s incredibly creamy and smooth, with a hint of lemon zest and a sprinkle of blueberries.
9. Viral Cottage Cheese Wrap
When I say viral, I’m being serious! These wraps are absolutely DELICIOUS and make for a fantastic quick lunch. Plus, the avocado provides healthy fats for sustained energy!
10. High Protein Egg White Bites
Egg bites are a popular and yummy breakfast choice. You can customize them with your favorite add-ins, such as sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled turkey sausage, or crumbled bacon.
Whether you like eating cottage cheese raw as a snack or are looking to add more protein to your diet in unique ways, incorporating it into your everyday meals is a great option.
With tons of protein, vitamins, and other nutrients needed for a well-rounded diet, cottage cheese is an excellent option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert!
Try slipping it into your next meal let me know how it goes!
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