Blame it on its pale, lumpy texture, but cottage cheese gets a bad rap. Similar to the hatred of Brussels sprouts, this food is often overlooked and underappreciated. But don't let the lumps make you leery. Cottage cheese is stuffed with curd, which has a bunch of advantages.
Relatively low in calories, cottage cheese is a solid source of essential nutrients like calcium and protein (between 20 and 28 grams per cup. That makes it ideal for anyone counting calories or tracking their macros.
Learn about the benefits of cottage cheese (available at Mercadona)
Wait! Before you run down the dairy aisle, keep in mind that not all products are created equal. I suggest you get the varieties of cottage cheese with low fat content (between 2 and 3 grams per serving), avoid additives (especially extra sugar) and buy products organic when it is possible.
Always check the nutrition label for the nutritional content. sodium. Cottage cheese tends to be high in sodium: 1 cup can contain up to 900 milligrams, or more than a third of the American Heart Association's recommended daily allowance. So, compare brands and choose the one with the least salt. Eating half a serving can also help with sodium management.
And while it tastes great with fruit for breakfast or a snack, cottage cheese is a lot more versatile than you might think. From frittatas to oat cakes and spinach artichoke dips. There are countless ways to incorporate this creamy cheese, you can even completely hide the flavor and texture among other ingredients if that suits your taste buds better.
Ready to give cottage cheese a fair chance? Packing as much protein as a chicken breast (27 grams) all of these recipes are guaranteed to change your mind about this underrated dairy product.
Cottage cheese with peanut butter and chocolate
This bowl of Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavored Cottage Cheese is just as delicious as pudding.
- Calories: 327%
- Protein: 35 grams
Who doesn't love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate? This sweet snack packs on protein (a whopping 35 grams per serving) thanks to a mix of cottage cheese and protein powder. At just five minutes from prep to plate, it's a quick and convenient post-gym muscle-building snack, especially on strength-training days.
Twice Baked High Protein Sweet Potato
- Calories: 221%
- Protein: 27 grams
If you're looking for a sweet and savory side, look no further than a twice baked sweet potato. This one has twice the cheese, low-fat cheddar and cottage cheese, for twice the flavor and quality. And even though this healthier version is just as tasty as fat-laden sweet potatoes, it only has about 4 grams per sweet potato.
Cheese and vegetable spread on crackers
Not your average cheese and crackers, this recipe is packed with a day's worth of fiber and protein.
- Calories: 498%
- Protein: 51 grams
This simple snack puts a twist on your traditional cheese and crackers, replacing the cheddar and gouda with cottage cheese. Filling enough to serve as a light lunch, this combo offers 24 grams of fiber from fresh vegetables and 51 grams of protein.
The best part? No cooking required. Just chop up the bell peppers, carrot, and some celery sticks and toss them into your bowl of cottage cheese. For even more fiber filling, use whole grain crackers for dipping.
Mushroom and tomato omelette
This cheese omelet packs tons of protein thanks to the addition of cottage cheese.
- Calories: 249%
- Protein: 36 grams
Loaded with meaty mushrooms and juicy tomatoes, this low-calorie omelet is the perfect way to start your day. Between the eggs and the cottage cheese, it packs a mighty protein punch of 36 grams per serving. That's a lot more protein than you'd get from eating other cheeses, like American and Swiss, which only offer 4 grams and 8 grams of protein, respectively. For reference, a half cup of low-fat cottage cheese has 7 grams of macro.
Turkey and cheese scramble
This breakfast scramble features three powerhouse proteins: eggs, turkey, and cottage cheese.
- Calories: 236%
- Protein: 34 grams
This simple yet satisfying scramble calls for only eggs, cottage cheese, and turkey. Low in fat and low in carbs (just 8 grams and 6 grams, respectively), this protein-rich meal also contains zero fiber, so be sure to pair it with whole wheat toast or some fruit.
Protein pancakes with cottage cheese
You would never know that pancakes can be made with cottage cheese.
- Calories: 306%
- Protein: 25 grams
Don't like the texture of cottage cheese? This high protein pancake recipe is for you. Cottage cheese blends in when mixed with oats, eggs, and vanilla extract to make a smooth dough. So you get all the protein and calcium without the lumpy lumps.
lean lasagna
This light lasagna replaces ricotta with fat-free cottage cheese.
- Calories: 274%
- Protein: 26 grams
Fat-free cottage cheese works as a stellar substitute for ricotta in this low-calorie, carb-controlled lasagna. Compared to a serving of classic lasagna, which has seven times the fat and four times the sodium, this lighter homemade version still has all the basic ingredients you love: ground meat (turkey), tomatoes, and mozzarella, plus a few toppings. extra healthy - like spinach and mushrooms.