We're Making Cottage Cheese Cool Again (2024)

We like cottage cheese. Hell, some of us even love it. That chewy, curd-y texture, the saltiness and the fatty mouthfeel... and it's even higher in protein than Greek yogurt. We get it, though—it's got a reputation, and it's not a good one. Here's how to eat cottage cheese without feeling like an 80's yo-yo dieter, including some ingenious ideas that Epi readers shared when my colleague Anya posted shared her cottage-cheese confessional.

1. Make it sweet

This might be the most common—albeit a little bit retro—way to eat cottage cheese, but it's got that salty-sweet thing going on that we really can't be mad at. Here are some sweet toppings to brighten up a creamy bowl of cottage cheese—feel free to mix and match. And remember, you can always go really old school and fill a halved peach or melon with cottage cheese for the ultimate "dieter's delight." Hey, it's a classic for a reason.

  • Chopped pineapple, peaches, plums—heck, pretty much any ripe, soft fruit
  • Fresh berries
  • Honey/maple syrup
  • Jam and toasted nuts
  • Chopped apple and a dash of cinnamon

2. Take it the savory route

It is cheese, after all. The cheese's texture lends itself well to simple toppings, like a drizzle of olive oil, but textural pops like crunchy chips and juicy tomatoes work well as a fun change if you feel like you're stuck in a CC rut.

  • Chopped roasted peppers, S&P, plus a drizzle of olive oil
  • A sprinkle of za'atar and plenty of grated cucumber
  • Chopped scallions, S&P, and a dash of hot sauce
  • Chopped tomatoes and cucumber, S&P, and, yep, a drizzle of olive oil
  • Crushed potato chips or tortilla chips
We're Making Cottage Cheese Cool Again (2024)

FAQs

How do you use cottage cheese in a sentence? ›

How to Use cottage cheese in a Sentence
  • Curdy in the best sense of the word (from cottage cheese). ...
  • The thought of a half cantaloupe filled with cottage cheese gives me the warm-fuzzies. ...
  • Part one small peach with 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese.
May 28, 2024

Why is cottage cheese making a comeback? ›

For a younger generation of increasingly plant-based eaters who no longer consider drinking cow's milk “cool,” the revival of the dairy-based cottage cheese by Gen Z has many confused. One of the biggest reasons cottage cheese seems to be making a comeback is due to its highly nutritious profile.

What is the cottage cheese trend? ›

TikTok influencers performed a kind of alchemy in recent weeks when they created ice creams, dips, cookie doughs and other craveable snacks from the distinctly non-craveable 1950s diet food your grandma used to eat: cottage cheese.

Why are so many people eating cottage cheese? ›

Cottage cheese is high in protein and is an excellent source of calcium. Choosing a low-fat cottage cheese can reduce saturated fat intake when substituting it for other higher fat foods, such as cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise or ricotta cheese. It's also full of vitamins and minerals that support a healthy diet.

What does it mean when someone says cottage cheese? ›

noun. : a bland soft white cheese made from the curds of skim milk. called also Dutch cheese, pot cheese, smearcase.

How do you use cottage in a sentence? ›

We decided to walk to the cottage, as there was a river nearby. She lived in a tiny cottage amid clusters of trees. He's spending his dotage in a riverside cottage. We met the people who live in the cottage.

What is the downside of eating cottage cheese? ›

He said that while most cheese, including cottage cheese, contains nutrients such as vitamins and calcium, it can also have high levels of sodium and fat, so he recommends eating it in moderation.

What happens to your body when you eat cottage cheese? ›

Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that plays a major role in tooth and bone health, and in the prevention of osteoporosis. It also helps you to regulate your blood pressure and might even play a role in preventing certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.

Is it okay to eat cottage cheese at night? ›

For this reason, consuming it before bed has been shown to increase metabolism and muscle synthesis overnight without affecting the breakdown of fats ( 17 ). Due to the slow absorption of casein, some bodybuilders like to eat cottage cheese before bed.

Why is cottage cheese so addictive? ›

The protein found in milk — human or animal — is called casein, and when it breaks down in your body, it produces molecules called casomorphins. These strings of amino acids have the same effect in your brain as opiates do.

What is healthier, cottage cheese or Greek yogurt? ›

The Bottom Line. And the winner is... plain Greek yogurt by a very thin margin. Greek yogurt's advantage is very slight due to a little more calcium, lower sodium and a higher chance of containing probiotics.

What is the pink bacteria in cottage cheese? ›

In cheeses without added colorant, pink discoloration has been associated with: certain strains of thermophilic lactobacilli and propionic acid bacteria, Maillard reactions, and microbial pigments (e.g., carotenoids and phenolic compounds), which may be responsible for development of pink-brown or dark brown discolor- ...

Is cottage cheese good for your gut? ›

Besides the reasons outlined above, cottage cheese may help with gut health. Since it is often fermented, (a process that helps remove the cheese curds from the liquid) cottage cheese may contain “good” bacteria called probiotics. Snodgrass says probiotics are “crucial” to good digestion.

What is healthier than cottage cheese? ›

Aside from the fat content that some are skeptical of in cottage cheese, Greek yogurt emerged as the go-to dairy product that's also high in protein.

What is cottage cheese usually used for? ›

Cottage cheese can be low in calories compared to other types of cheese — similar to yogurt; this makes it popular among dieters and some health devotees. It can be used with various foods such as yogurt, fruit, toast, and granola, in salads, as a dip, and as a replacement for mayonnaise.

Can you eat cottage cheese directly? ›

If you like the flavor, you can (and many people do!) eat cottage cheese on its own, whether with other foods or as a simple snack. Topped with fruit. One of the most common ways to eat cottage cheese is by topping it with fresh fruit, like strawberries, blueberries, or kiwi.

Is cottage cheese meant to be eaten by itself? ›

After a couple pulses, cottage cheese becomes seriously thick and creamy, making it perfect for eating on its own or stirring into dips and soups. It is weirdly good when added to pancake batter, too — the milky, slightly tangy flavor makes it a solid substitute for buttermilk.

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