With the new school year approaching, many families are looking for ways to stay organized, especially at mealtimes. Dairy foods can make meals and snacks nutritious and satisfying. Protein-rich cottage cheese is especially versatile: It can bring together a one-pot meal in minutes or take center stage in sweet and savory snacks.
Cottage cheese adds valuable nutrition to meals. Each half-cup serving contains 12 to 14 grams of high-quality protein, which supports muscle growth and repair, and promotes a sense of fullness after meals. As a dairy food, cottage cheese provides many of the same essential nutrients found in milk, including calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, and B vitamins for metabolism support and nerve health.
The combination of high-quality protein, essential nutrients and culinary possibilities has inspired home cooks to rethink cottage cheese in exciting new ways. “Creative cottage cheese recipes have taken social media by storm,” said Jessica Kassel, a registered dietitian and nutrition educator with the St. Louis District Dairy Council. “Simply search online for cottage cheese recipes, and an extensive list will pop up.”
While cottage cheese has long been a favorite paired with fruit, like peaches or pineapple, today’s recipes take it in a new direction by simply blending the cheese. This approach creates a smooth base for frozen treats, smoothie bowls, pancakes, pasta sauces and dips, while traditional cottage cheese adds creamy texture and protein to casseroles and lasagna. Baked into crispy cheese chips, it also makes a satisfying, high-protein snack.
Those viral recipe videos are not just generating views — they’re inspiring shoppers to add cottage cheese to their grocery cart. The surge of new cottage cheese recipes, plus a growing consumer demand for higher protein foods, has fueled a 19% increase in cottage cheese sales in the last year, resulting in more than $2 billion in sales, according to Circana, a market research company.
“As busy school routines return, cottage cheese makes it easy to prepare satisfying meals and snacks without sacrificing nutrition,” Kassel said. “Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or looking for a satisfying afternoon snack, cottage cheese is an easy way to add high-quality protein and important nutrients to everyday meals.”
Visit stldairycouncil.org for more information on the health benefits of dairy, as well as recipes using cottage cheese. You may also contact Jessica Kassel at 314-835-9668 or jkassel@stldairycouncil.org. Follow St. Louis District Dairy Council on Facebook and Instagram at STLDairyCouncil.
Creamy Cottage Cheese Chicken & Rice Bake- Cottage cheese: 1 cup
- Rice: Uncooked long-grain rice (1 cup)
- Chicken broth: 1 cup
- Chicken: Diced or shredded cooked chicken (2 cups)
- Vegetables: Fresh spinach (2 cups), sliced mushrooms (1 cup), and diced tomatoes (evenly distributed)
- Seasonings: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp basil, and 1 tsp oregano
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. [1]
- Mix Base: In a large bowl, stir together the cottage cheese, rice, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. [1]
- Combine: Gently fold the spinach, mushrooms, chicken, and tomatoes into the cheese and rice mixture until evenly distributed. [1]
- Assemble: Pour and smooth the mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring the tomatoes are spread out, then top with mozzarella cheese. [1]
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until hot and bubbly. [1]
- Serve: Let the bake rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.