Cottage Cheese: A Versatile and Healthy Addition to Your Diet
Hey, Coach Jeri here! Cottage cheese often gets a bad rap as a boring “diet food.” It’s either a love-it or hate-it kind of food, and just mentioning it can sometimes elicit looks of disgust. But the truth is, cottage cheese is a fantastic food with numerous benefits and incredible versatility. While some may turn up their noses, others, like myself, have always enjoyed it. Nowadays, you’ll find food influencers using it for everything from ice cream to mac and cheese. Cottage cheese is not only great for satiety and nutrients but also extremely versatile, thanks to its mild taste and creamy texture. Whether in sweet or savory dishes, it can be a tasty addition to your diet, helping you feel better as you eat well. Here are some of its health benefits, along with recipes and ideas to turn you into a cottage cheese enthusiast.
Health Benefits
- Low in calories
- High in protein (helps you feel full)
- Excellent source of calcium (good for bone health)
- Rich in B6 and B12 (beneficial for brain health and red blood cell formation)
- Helps control sugar levels
- Rich in casein, a protein providing essential amino acids
- Contains phosphorus, and potassium, and supports immune health
Recipe Tips
Here are some easy ideas to incorporate cottage cheese into your diet:
- Substitute for dips: Add onion soup or ranch mix for a veggie dip.
- Creamy scrambled eggs: Mix in cottage cheese for extra creaminess.
- Sweet options: Add sugar-free jelly or fruit with fiber cereal.
My Favorite Cottage Cheese Recipes
Cinnamon Toast
Ingredients:
- 1 slice of bread (whole grain or your preferred bread)
- 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese or fat-free cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Truvia or preferred sweetener, to taste
- Fresh blueberries, for topping
Instructions:
- Toast the bread until golden brown.
- In a small bowl, mix the cottage cheese with cinnamon and sweetener.
- Spread the cottage cheese mixture on the toasted bread.
- Top with fresh blueberries and enjoy!
Banana Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup Maple Grove sugar-free pancake mix (or Kodiak Cakes mix)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Packet of Truvia or preferred sweetener
- Butter or cooking spray
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the pancake mix, egg, cottage cheese, mashed banana, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sweetener until well combined.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly coat with butter or cooking spray.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of the pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface.
- Flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Lightened-Up Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients:
- Whole grain pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- Cauliflower florets, steamed
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fritos mild cheddar dip
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, steamed cauliflower, cottage cheese, and cheddar dip until well combined.
- Serve warm as a lightened-up version of traditional macaroni and cheese.
Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: vegetable sausages, diced vegetables
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix the mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Top with vegetable sausages, diced vegetables, or any other toppings of your choice.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Cottage Cheese and Mozzarella Calzones
Ingredients:
- Joseph’s pitas
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: vegetables, cooked meats
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Split open the pitas to create pockets.
- In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, and any additional fillings (vegetables, cooked meats) until well combined.
- Stuff the pita pockets with the cheese mixture.
- Place the stuffed pitas on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pitas are golden brown.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
The internet is full of cottage cheese uses and recipes. I even tried cottage cheese ice cream—it’s not Ben and Jerry’s, but it’s worth a shot! Healthy foods are called power foods for a reason—they offer so much, from satisfaction to enjoying your favorites with a healthy twist. They can help on your weight loss journey, leading to a healthier body and potentially reducing the need for medication. Many people find that they start to feel better, sleep better, and move better on a moderate eating plan. Let’s start a challenge by sharing your favorite cottage cheese recipes on the Healthi pages!
