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This creamy, high protein cottage cheese queso recipe will help you satisfy your cheesy cravings and reach your nutrition goals! It’s easy to make in just 5 minutes, budget-friendly, and perfect for snacks or meal prep.
Anyone else remember queso from a jar and cheese from a squirt can from their college days?! Think of cottage cheese queso as the grownup version.
Healthy eating can be both fun and budget-friendly! With this cottage cheese-based dip, you’re getting a high-protein, low-carb, economical option that satisfies your cravings. Whether you’re looking for game day appetizer ideas, healthy topping ideas for taco night, or just want a quick and easy nutritious snack recipe up your sleeve, this is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Cottage cheese queso is a viral TikTok recipe, and for good reason. It’s delicious, packed with protein, and low in carbs! (P.S. I couldn’t find the creator of the original version, but if you know who it is, please feel free to leave it in the comments below.)
Why Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is a powerhouse ingredient. It’s relatively low in carbs, high in protein, and loaded with essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin B12. Its mild flavor makes it an ideal base for a queso recipe that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, making it perfect for anyone looking to save money while eating well.
Why This Recipe Works
- High in Protein: Cottage cheese provides a whopping 12 to 14 grams of protein per cup, making this dip a satisfying snack or meal addition.
- Customizable: Adjust the spices and heat level to match your taste preferences.
- Budget-Friendly: With simple, affordable ingredients, you can create a cheesy dip that rivals any store-bought queso.
- Healthier Alternative: Unlike traditional queso made with processed ingredients, this version is made with real food ingredients, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in protein – and packed with flavor!
Ingredients
Breaking It Down
Ingredients Explained
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Cottage cheese – I like to use 4% milk fat cottage cheese (whole milk cottage cheese) for rich flavor and creamy texture. However, this recipe will also work fine with low-fat cottage cheese if you prefer.
- Cheddar cheese – My go-to here is a sharp yellow cheddar for both the flavor and color.
- Adobo paste from chipotles in adobo – This adds smoky heat and rich color.
- Cumin, salt, black pepper, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder – These seasonings add robust flavor to the cheese dip. Feel free to adjust them to taste. Pro Tip: If you want to simplify the seasoning, you can use 3/4 teaspoon of your favorite taco seasoning instead of the adobo paste and all the spices in this recipe.
- Hot water – This thins out the mixture to the perfect dip-able consistency. You can add more or less water depending on how thick you want it.
Pro Tip: Bump Up the Cheesy Flavor (And Nutrition!)
You can add up to 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to boost the cheesy flavor.
You’ll also get a boost of nutrition! Nutritional yeast is rich in B vitamins, and contains all nine amino acids, which means its a complete protein source.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Pro Tip: Start with 1 tablespoon of hot water and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Process until smooth and creamy.
If you want to serve the queso warm or if you’re using a regular blender or food processor (instead of a high-speed blender), I recommend heating it. To warm it, heat the queso in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave (heating it in 20-second intervals and stirring between each interval). Or for the creamiest texture, heat it in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Expert Tips
- Use a high-speed blender for a super-creamy texture.
- You can serve this cold, room temperature, or warm. To warm it, heat the queso in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave (heating it in 20-second intervals and stirring between each interval). Or for the creamiest texture, heat it in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently.
- Bump up the flavor even more with fun garnishes like shredded or crumbled cheese, Pico de Gallo, or fresh jalapeños or cilantro.
FAQs
Pair it with tortilla chips, fresh veggies, or use it as a topping for tacos, burrito bowls, scrambled eggs, etc.
Absolutely! Add diced jalapeños, a dash of hot sauce, or spicy salsa to kick up the heat. Or go with more of the adobo sauce from the chipotles in adobo.
Yes! Thin it out with a little milk or pasta water to create a creamy, high-protein sauce for pasta or zoodles.
If You Like Cheesy Dips, You’ll Also Love
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5-Minute High-Protein Cottage Cheese Queso Recipe
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Equipment
- High speed blender (see Notes)
Ingredients
- 1 cup 4% cottage cheese or low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon adobo paste from chipotles in adobo just the paste
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water plus more if needed
Instructions
- Blend. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and process until smooth and creamy. Pro Tip: Start with 1 tablespoon of hot water and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Heat. This step is optional; if you want to serve the queso warm or if you're using a regular blender or food processor (instead of a high-speed blender), I recommend heating it. To warm it, heat the queso in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave (heating it in 20-second intervals and stirring between each interval). Or for the creamiest texture, heat it in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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