Cottage cheese meal prep: seven ways to use a tub

Cottage cheese has about 24 grams of protein per cup and costs less than most meat. Blending it removes the lumpy texture some people dislike and leaves a mild, creamy base.

What can you make with it blended?

• Cottage cheese egg bites. Blended with eggs, it gives a soft, custardy result.
• Blender protein pancakes, with oats and eggs.
• A creamy pasta sauce, with garlic, lemon and a little pasta water.
• A dip with herbs, in place of sour cream.

What can you make with it as it is?

• Cottage cheese snack boxes with cucumber, tomatoes and crackers.
• A breakfast bowl with berries and honey.
• Toast with tomato and black pepper.

How do you blend it smooth?

Use a blender or stick blender for 30 to 60 seconds, until no curds remain. Blend it with the wet ingredients of the recipe, such as eggs or milk, so it moves freely. A food processor works but takes longer.

Does it change the taste?

In cooked dishes, very little. It adds a slight tang, similar to ricotta. In pancakes and egg bites most people cannot tell it is there.

Which kind should you buy?

Full-fat and 2% both work in cooking and stay creamier when heated. Fat-free versions can turn grainy. Small-curd is easier to blend. Buy plain, not flavoured.

How long does it keep?

Follow the date on the tub. Once opened, most brands say to use it within about a week. Keep it cold and use a clean spoon each time, because a spoon that has been in your mouth shortens its life.

Can you freeze it?

On its own, the texture turns grainy when frozen and thawed. It freezes fine once it is cooked into something. Egg bites and pancakes both keep about two months in the freezer. See freezer breakfasts.

How does it compare with Greek yogurt?

Cottage cheese has slightly more protein per cup and a milder, saltier taste. Yogurt is tangier and better in cold sauces and marinades. Many people keep both. See Greek yogurt in meal prep.

How much does one tub cover?

A 24 oz tub is about three cups. That is one batch of egg bites, one batch of pancakes and a snack box, with a little left for toast.

Where to go next

More ways to raise protein at the start of the day are in high-protein breakfast meal prep, and all the make-ahead options are in the breakfast category.