A sharp and crumbly cheddar. Some soft and stinky goat cheese. An oozy and indulgent brie. These are the cheeses that are brought proudly to housewarming parties around the world. They’re displayed on fancy wooden boards, paired with fistfuls of crusty bread and drizzles of honey.
But what about one of the world’s most popular and underappreciated cheeses? Exactly. Where’s the love for cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is the Harry Potter living under the staircase of the cheese world. It’s never aged in an Italian man’s basement. No one’s pairing it with a $45 bottle of Barolo. You’ll never hear someone say, “Ooh, this one has grassy notes and a complex rind.” And frankly, what a disservice to the gorgeous simplicity of what is definitely your grandmother’s favorite cheese. Because cottage cheese is just as deserving of admiration — if not for its luxuriousness, then certainly for its versatility.
My grandmother knew what was up. She served cottage cheese several ways based on what her taste buds called for. Feeling festive? Cottage cheese with cracked pepper on top. Sweet tooth? No problem, cottage cheese with canned pears, peaches or pineapple. If her favorite game show was on and she didn’t have time to make something, she just spooned the stuff onto fresh tomatoes like the classy lady she was.
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Cottage cheese is healthy, it’s creamy, it’s packed with protein. Athletes stir it into their eggs. TikTokers blend it into their smoothies. Some people even bake it into cookies — and you know what? It works.
So in honor of this humble, perfectly lumpy treasure, we’ve rounded up seven recipes that put cottage cheese front and center. Whether you’re pairing it with noodles, folding it into a savory pancake or layering it into kugel, these recipes prove that cottage cheese deserves a spot at the party table.
Broccoli and Cottage Cheese Pancakes
These crispy pancakes get a protein-packed boost from cottage cheese mixed right into the batter.
Noodles and Cottage Cheese
It’s just egg noodles, sour cream and a big ol’ scoop of cottage cheese — and somehow, it’s perfect.
Savory Cheese Kugel
Cottage cheese is the secret to this rich, savory twist on a classic comfort dish.
Israeli Couscous Mac & Cheese
Cottage cheese melts right in to make this mac ultra-creamy and totally unexpected.
Savory Leek and Feta Hamantaschen
This recipe blends cottage cheese with feta and leeks for a rich, savory twist on traditional hamantaschen.
Butternut Squash Khachapuri
Cottage cheese steps in for farmer’s cheese in this khachapuri, adding a creamy texture and subtle tang that complements the sweet butternut squash perfectly.
Everything Bagel Bourekas
Cottage cheese joins forces with feta and cream cheese to create a creamy, tangy filling that perfectly complements the savory spinach and flaky puff pastry.
