This 3-ingredient high protein cottage cheese queso is the perfect way to add protein to nachos, tacos, or burrito bowls!
Not all TikTok recipes are dietitian-approved, but when this cottage cheese queso dip went viral on TikTok….I had to give it a try. Just three ingredients (that you probably already have in the refrigerator and pantry) are all you need to whip together this healthy cheese dip that will add 13 grams of protein to your tacos, nachos, or chips and salsa spread.
When cooking quick meals for lunch or dinner, I’m always looking for little hacks like this. And cottage cheese is one of the best easy proteins (perfect for blended cottage cheese bowls when you need a little something sweet, too!)
I love tossing beans, rice, and sauteed veggies into a bowl for a quick and easy burrito bowl, but there’s just not enough protein to help keep me full and satisfied or help me meet my daily protein needs.
Five minutes and three ingredients are all you need— and you NEED to give this one a try. It’s delicious as is, but you can easily customize this protein cheese dip with any of the variations provided below!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s high in protein, with 13 grams in every quarter-cup serving. Adding more protein to your meals can help you feel more full and satisfied after eating, slow down digestion, and support balanced blood sugars.
- All you need are 3 ingredients and five minutes — it doesn’t get easier than that! While there are some fun ways to change this recipe, they’re totally optional.
- It’s perfect for a last-minute lunch or snack. Since all you need is cheese, cottage cheese, and taco seasoning (all ingredients you probably already have on hand), it’s easy to whip up a batch and throw together a healthy, balanced meal or snack.
Key Ingredients
- Cottage Cheese: The star of the recipe– cottage cheese is rich in protein and can vary in calories and fat depending on the type of milkfat you purchase. I like Daisy Cottage Cheese which has just 3 ingredients: milk, cream, and salt. Or you can use something like Good Culture Cottage Cheese, which has the added benefit of probiotics for a gut-healthy boost!
- Cheese. You can use any type of cheese you’d like (I prefer sharp cheddar), but you’ll want to get block cheese and shred your own. Pre-shredded cheese has an anti-caking agent added to it that keeps the shreds from sticking together but also prevents the cheese from melting smoothly. Shredding it yourself will give you the smoothest result.
- Taco Seasoning. Use your favorite taco seasoning or a homemade blend. I’m stocked up on the Spice Islands Premium Taco Seasoning, which has a smoky, chipotle flavor to it. You can find it on Amazon (with the link), but it’s cheaper at Costco!
Making high protein cottage cheese queso
All you need is a blender and a bowl. You can make your cottage cheese queso using the microwave or the stovetop, either way will work!
Step 1: Combine the cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and taco seasoning in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Heat the queso dip until warm and melty.
In the microwave: Add the dip to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until melted and warm.
On the stove: Pour into a small pan on the stove and heat over low, stirring occasionally until the mixture is melted.
Serve warm and garnish with pico de gallo, salsa, or cilantro.
Recipe tips
- For the smoothest texture, blend the ingredients for 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides and continue until everything is incorporated. If your blender has a hard time incorporating the ingredients, add milk or half and half, a tablespoon at a time.
- Grate your own cheese using a simple box grater instead of buying pre-shredded cheese for the smoothest texture. Pre-shredded cheese has an anticaking agent that can make it clump up when melted.
- Adjust the spice levels as you like them, adding more or less taco seasoning or green chilis.
- Make it lower sodium. This recipe is a little high in sodium, with a quarter cup providing 13% of the daily value of sodium. To reduce the sodium, use no salt added taco seasoning.
Variations
This basic cheesy cottage cheese dip uses just three ingredients (with optional green chilis), but you can make it your own with these simple swaps.
- Make it spicy - Add jalapeno peppers, serrano peppers, or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Make it smokey - While the taco seasoning I like to use adds a bit of smoky flavor, you can make it more intense by adding a little chipotle pepper in adobo or liquid smoke.
- Hearty beef and queso - Add a cup of cooked ground beef to the queso to make it even more hearty and filling.
- A Cheesy Bean Dip - Stir refried beans and black beans into the queso for more fiber, protein, and flavor.
Make ahead and storage instructions
This cheesy cottage cheese dip is best when eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
To reheat leftovers, place them in a small pot on the stove and heat over low, stirring often until melted and combined, or microwave in 30-second increments, stirring vigorously in between until melted.
If it doesn’t seem to come together when reheating, add it to a blender or use an immersion blender to reblend it until smooth.
What to serve with Cottage Cheese Queso
Use this as a dip for:
- tortilla chips
- corn chips
- Raw vegetables
- Pita
Or serve it over top of:
- Tacos
- Nachos
- Burritos
- Enchiladas
- Burgers
- Burrito Bowls
- Steamed vegetables
- Baked potatoes
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📖 Recipe
Cottage Cheese Queso
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup loosely packed grated sharp cheddar
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- Optional: 1 tablespoon green chilis
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Microwave directions: Add the dip to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between until melted and warm. Stove top directions: Pour into a small pan on the stove and heat over low, stirring occasionally until the mixture is melted.
- Serve warm. Garnish with pico de gallo and cilantro if desired.
Notes
- If your blender has difficulty incorporating the ingredients, add milk or half and half, a tablespoon at a time.
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded cheese for the smoothest texture. Pre-shredded cheese has an anticaking agent that can make it clump up when melted.
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