If you grew up in the ’70s or ’80s, cottage cheese may bring up memories of a sad “diet plate.” Often served on a leaf of iceberg lettuce with some cantaloupe, peaches, pears, or pineapple (often canned), it looked more like a punishment than anything you would choose to eat for pleasure. How times have changed! Cottage cheese is ditching its old reputation as an unappetizing dish for dieters and taking the food world by storm with new creations like flavor-filled cottage cheese bowls.

In fact, cottage cheese is popping up in everything from breakfast bowls to savory dinners to creamy sauces and sweet desserts. It’s anything but boring. And it offers a nutritious, high-protein option that’s convenient and affordable.

How did this happen? What makes cottage cheese so special? Let’s explore the evolution of this humble dairy product into the new “it” food.

The Comeback of Cottage Cheese

It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago when cottage cheese was considered a bland, boring “diet food.” After all, it was typically served as a big part of the infamous 1970s “diet plate” at diners across the country. Often served on lettuce with some tomatoes and perhaps a hamburger patty or just whatever fruit was available, some people found this a tasty, low-calorie meal. Many others, however, turned up their noses at cottage cheese while yogurt enjoyed the spotlight.

To say cottage cheese is experiencing a renaissance is an understatement. Thanks in large part to social media, cottage cheese has been reinvented. Food influencers and health enthusiasts alike have been highlighting creative ways to enjoy this humble food in savory and sweet dishes.

Cottage cheese, it turns out, can be even more versatile than yogurt or other dairy foods. And the new wave of excitement has transformed cottage cheese from an overlooked food in the dairy aisle to a new kitchen stable.

Counting the Health Benefits of Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese packs a powerful punch when it comes to nutrition. Here’s why it deserves a place on your plate:

• It’s a rich source of protein: With ~25 grams of protein in each cup, cottage cheese is high in this essential nutrient needed for supporting muscle repair and growth. Plus, protein is a satiating food. So, you’ll feel full for longer.
• It’s low in sugar: Unlike some dairy products, cottage cheese contains very little sugar (only a few grams of naturally occurring sugars). So, it’s beneficial for folks who are cutting back on added sugars as well as those looking to better manage blood sugar levels.
• It’s a good source of vitamins and minerals: Like many dairy products, that includes calcium, which is essential for bone health, and phosphorus, which supports cell and tissue repair. In addition, this nutrient-dense food is a good source of vitamin B12, which is important for energy production and brain functioning.
• It supports healthy weight management: Because it’s high in protein yet relatively low in calories, cottage cheese can help you manage weight without feeling like you’re missing out on flavor. Plus, because cottage cheese can help you feel full for longer, it’s helpful in decreasing overall food intake.
• It supports gut health: Because cottage cheese is a fermented food, some, though not all, brands of cottage cheese also provide probiotics, the good bacteria that help balance a healthy gut microbiome and promote digestion. Check the label first to ensure your chosen cottage cheese provides this benefit.

Versatility!

One of the best things about cottage cheese is how versatile it is. You can easily work it into meals throughout the day as it pairs well with so many different flavors. Here are just a few of the ways people are including it in their menus:

Breakfast: Cottage cheese can easily be mixed with fresh fruit, honey, and nuts for a protein-packed morning boost. It can also be added to protein-rich smoothies for extra creaminess while keeping sugars, fat, and calories in check. Or add cottage cheese to eggs to pump up the protein even higher.

Snacks: Create savory spreads and dips by combining cottage cheese with herbs, garlic, roasted vegetables, and more. Then serve it with vegetables, toast, or as a nutrient-rich sandwich spread.

Baked Goods: Increase the protein punch in various breads, muffins, or pancakes by adding cottage cheese to the recipe. It also helps prevent baked goods from getting overly dry.

Must-Try Buffalo Chicken Cottage Cheese Bowl

Ready to try a bold new recipe? This one is sure to become a fast favorite because it’s so flavorful!

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Course: Lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Buffalo Chicken Cottage Cheese Bowl

Servings: 1

Calories: 337kcal

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1 Tbsp Red Hot sauce we like Frank’s, but you can choose your favorite
• 1/2 cup celery diced
• 1/2 cup carrots diced
• 1/2 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1 Tbsp crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese

Instructions

• Spoon cottage cheese into a bowl, and gently stir in Red Hot sauce, celery, and carrots.
• Top with chicken and cheese.
• Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If gorgonzola or blue cheese are a bit too rich for your tastes, you can also choose a drizzle of ranch dressing, such as the Classic Ranch from Bolthouse Farms.

Nutrition

Fiber: 3g | Calories: 337kcal | Fat: 12g | Protein: 43g | Carbohydrates: 15g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Not feeling like some spicy buffalo chicken? With a few simple modifications, you can customize your cottage bowl to fit whatever you’re craving. For example:

• Greek-inspired cottage cheese bowl: Combine cottage cheese and shredded chicken with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and a tablespoon of your favorite Greek dressing for a Mediterranean twist. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and enjoy. 

• Italian-inspired cottage cheese bowl: Add sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and oil for a flavorful bowl. 

• Mexican-inspired cottage cheese bowl: Toss in some black beans, salsa, avocado, and cilantro for a zesty Mexican-style cottage cheese bowl. 

• BLT cottage cheese bowl: Combine cottage cheese with crispy turkey bacon, fresh lettuce, and tomatoes with a splash of balsamic and a dash of black pepper for a new twist on a classic. 

• BBQ cottage cheese bowl: Add BBQ sauce to your chicken and cottage cheese with roasted corn, black beans, sliced avocado, and shredded cabbage for a filling meal.

These cottage cheese bowls are so versatile, the possibilities are endless. So go wild and let us know what you come up with!

Beyond Cottage Cheese Bowls

Cottage cheese has officially shed its outdated reputation as a bland, boring food. It’s now celebrated as the versatile, nutrient-dense food it is. Whether you’re devouring a delicious cottage cheese bowl, mixing up a creative protein-rich dip or spread, or folding it into your favorite batter, cottage cheese is well-deserving of its rep as the new “it” food.