Protein-packed recipes powered by cottage cheese

More than just a stand-alone snack, cottage cheese is packed with calcium and protein for strong teeth, bones, and muscles. And it can be used as a mouth-friendly ingredient in recipes for many favorite spring foods!

Recipe #1: Cheesy pita flatbread

As filling as it is cheesy and wonderful, this flatbread can satisfy a pizza craving without all the grease and fat. Plus, vitamin K from the asparagus supports strong bones and teeth!

Ingredients

2 cups asparagus, chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 ½ cups cottage cheese

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 ½ cups sharp provolone cheese, grated

3 tablespoons parsley, basil, chives, or dill (optional)

4 medium-sized whole-wheat pitas

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Toss asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  4. Place asparagus on one baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes.
  5. Blend cottage cheese in a blender until smooth.
  6. Combine cottage cheese, salt, pepper, 1 cup provolone, and herbs in a medium-size bowl.
  7. Place the pitas on the second baking sheet.
  8. Spread cottage cheese mixture on each pita, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edge.
  9. Sprinkle asparagus and remaining ½ cup provolone over the cottage cheese mixture.
  10. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown.
  11. Enjoy!

 

Recipe #2: Veggie dip

This healthy dip really packs in nutrients due to the veggies you eat with it. Choose carrots or bell peppers with vitamin C for your gums, or get potassium (which helps lower blood pressure) from celery.

Ingredients

½ cup cottage cheese 

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (add more to taste)

1 teaspoon seasoning of choice such as ranch powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, or oregano

1 teaspoon olive oil

Veggies like carrots, celery, or bell peppers for dipping

Directions

  1. Combine cottage cheese, fresh dill, and seasoning of choice in a bowl.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Dip your favorite veggies and enjoy!

Recipe #3: Carrot cake with cottage cheese frosting

With whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and cottage cheese in place of cream cheese, this low-sugar cake is a nutrient-rich way to delight your taste buds.

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and cooled

5 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons low-fat milk

2 cups raw carrots, grated

For the frosting: 

1 cup cottage cheese

2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

For the cake:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Coat a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices in a bowl.
  4. Whisk eggs and blend in the coconut oil, honey, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
  5. Combine wet ingredients with the dry and mix thoroughly.
  6. Add in the grated carrot.
  7. Pour mixture into a baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
  8. Let cake cool while preparing the frosting.

 

For the frosting:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and blend until smooth.
  2. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for 20 minutes.
  3. Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cake.
  4. Enjoy!

If you want more cottage cheese recipes, they’re easy to search for online. Just remember to look for mouth-friendly options that are low in sugar and use healthier ingredients (like whole-wheat bread instead of processed white bread, for example.)

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