Skip the Fruit: 52 Unique Mix-Ins for Cottage Cheese!

Cottage Cheese is an awesome food because you can basically mix it with anything. Most people choose the basics like mixing with pineapple or berries, but there is so much more you can do with cottage cheese besides just fruit!

I have compiled a huge list of new and exciting ways to eat cottage cheese that don’t involve any fruit. Some are sweet, some are savory, and some are a full meal idea for lunch or breakfast!

What can I mix with cottage cheese besides fruit?

Cottage cheese is a low-calorie food with a very mild taste, so it works well by mixing different ingredients with it. Cottage cheese can also be a very healthy part of your diet because it provides a good amount of protein, calcium, and a lot of B12.

1. Tomato & Cucumber

This is a great for a snack or a quick lunch especially when it is hot outside. Just mix in diced tomato and cucumber with the cottage cheese. You can also add a splash of Italian dressing for a little extra zesty flavor!

2. Sunflower Seeds, Avocado, & Red Pepper Flakes

This is a bowl of power foods! You get some crunch with the sunflower seeds, creamy from the diced avocado, and a little spicy kick of heat from the red pepper flakes. The avocado also adds a lot of good fats. This is a great power bowl of protein and will keep you feeling full after a workout.

3. Garlic Pasta

This is a fantastic way to use up any leftover cooked noodles and make a super simple pasta dish to pack for lunch. The cottage cheese is mixed with cooked noodles, minced garlic, and a little salt and pepper. It gives you a light calorie pasta option that is creamy and tasty for lunch or an afternoon snack.

4. Pickles

Cottage cheese with any kind of pickles you like. Any pickles you already have in the fridge will work like relish, dill pickle slices, sweet gherkins, or even spears. The vinegar from the pickles and the creaminess of the cottage cheese goes very well together. It is also said that pickle juice can be very hydrating! For more uses for pickle juice, check out “Frugal Food: Pickle Juice (60+ uses in food & drinks!)“

5. Everything but the Bagel Seasoning

This newer seasoning blend is super trendy lately but it’s basically the same toppings of an everything bagel. It has poppy seeds, toasted sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. This really gives a bowl of cottage cheese a nice flavor and you can also add other items like diced tomato, onion, or any other vegetable on hand.

6. Ritz Crackers

Whether you use the cottage cheese as a dip for the crackers or break up crackers into your cottage cheese, both ways are an easy tasty snack!

7. Fritos & Salsa

This is similar to a creamy salsa dip! Simply mix some of your favorite salsa with cottage cheese. Then use Frito dips or tortilla chips to eat this creamy dip with a kick.

8. Jell-o Cottage Salad

The fun part of this cool salad is that you can use whatever flavor of jello that you like. Start with premade Jell-O or make your own and let it firm up. I love doing strawberry Jell-o with cottage cheese for a smooth and creamy sweet treat. My kids love it for dessert too! (You can also just mix in a little Jell-O powder or Kool-Aid powder if you don’t want to make a whole container of Jell-o.)

9. Green Onions and Bacon Bits

This savory mix in is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack! Simply stir in chopped green onion and bacon bits. A super easy way to use up leftover bacon and it tastes so yummy too.

10. Russian Dressing

Russian dressing is made with mayonnaise, ketchup, chili sauce, and horseradish so it works really well with the mild taste of cottage cheese. You can mix just the dressing in with the cottage cheese, or you can add chopped vegetables as well for a more filling snack.

11. Mashed Potatoes

If you want all the creaminess of heavy cream or sour cream in your mashed potatoes but are out of those items, try cottage cheese for a substitute! It gives a creamy texture and a mild cheesy taste. We then add some garlic or chives for a super easy side dish.

12. Scrambled Eggs

This one may sound weird but to me it is similar to scrambled eggs with shredded cheese on top. My kids actually really like this combination, and we mix equal parts cottage cheese to scrambled eggs. This is a very simple food that toddlers learning to use a spoon can use to practice.

13. Olives

Whether you use black olives or green olives, the tangy vinegar taste of olives pairs very well with the creamy mildness of the cottage cheese. My husband also throws in some shredded cheddar or pepperjack cheese to his.

14. Beef Gravy

My uncle swears by adding beef gravy to cottage cheese. This is his go-to use for leftover brown gravy or gravy from a pot roast. He gets a big bowl of cottage cheese, makes an indent in the middle like mashed potatoes, and tops with gravy! He begged for this dish when he was on a soft food diet due to dental surgery.

15. French or Catalina Dressing

Whereas Russian dressing is spicier and has a kick, French or Catalina dressing has a unique sweetness. Catalina sometimes has a little heat due to cayenne pepper but still has an overall sweet taste. Mix either one of these with a side salad and a scoop of cottage cheese for a very delicious, packed lunch or summertime snack.

16. Honey

Sometimes the best mix-ins are just simple. I really like doing a few squeezes of honey on top of my cottage cheese. This gives me a sweetness and creamy combination that is perfect for a quick high protein breakfast.

17. Doritos

Technically this isn’t really a mix in unless you break up the Doritos, but my friend absolutely loves to use cottage cheese as a dip with Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch Dorito chips. I was convinced she was pregnant with this pairing, but I have to admit it is very good.

18. Tomatoes & Pesto Sauce

This is a nice and easy way to use up leftover pesto sauce and make a super flavorful packed lunch for work. Since the pesto, diced tomatoes, and cottage cheese can be served cold, there is no wait for the office microwave. This was actually really filling but you can also pack a sandwich to go with this dish.

19. Pepperoni & Tomato Sauce

If you have ever tried dieting and counting calories, you probably really start to miss pizza. I love pepperoni pizza, and this was an easy and satisfying way to get the flavor, but none of the grease and high carbs. I simply started with a bowl of cottage cheese, mixed in tomato sauce, and added some chopped pepperoni. I also later found out this is a very yummy dip on a toasted bread too!

20. Cinnamon & Sugar

Here is another super simple mix in that works so well for a breakfast or dessert. I love to sprinkle the top of my bowl with a little cinnamon and white or brown sugar. Just enough sweetness and creaminess to feel decadent but still really healthy too.

21. Almonds & Maple Syrup

Tired of yogurt parfaits for breakfast? Try a parfait of cottage cheese, sliced almonds (or any nut will work!), and some maple syrup! Swirl it around with your spoon for a sweet, creamy, high protein power breakfast.

22. Stuffed Tomatoes

This is one of my favorite ways to pack cottage cheese for lunch at work. I use a small tomato and hollow out the center. Then fill with the cottage cheese and top with a little black pepper. This healthy lunch is perfect for a nice cool treat on a warm day.

23. Ranch Dip with Celery & Carrots

This is a super easy snack that everyone can enjoy. I like to take a bowl of cottage cheese and mix in some powdered ranch seasoning. Then we use fresh vegetables like celery and carrots to scoop up the dip. (Definitely toddler approved!)

24. Top your Pancakes

Everyone loves pancakes and some restaurants put a dollop of whipped cream on top, but that is a little too decadent for every day. We like to top pancakes, waffles or even crepes with a dollop of cottage cheese and a little pancake syrup. This gives a similar decadence but is actually healthy too!

25. Granola or Cereal

This is another twist on a breakfast parfait. Mix some crunchy cereal like Cheerios, Kix, or Honey Bunches of Oats into your cottage cheese for part crunch part creamy. We also like to make homemade granola and it works so well with cottage cheese too. For more info on homemade granola, check out “Is it Cheaper to make or buy Granola?“

26. Pickled Beets

This is another summer favorite snack of mine. Simply mix in some pickled beets with your cottage cheese and not only does it make a beautiful purple color, but it is super tasty too. The pickled beets have a sweetness but also a little vinegar, so it works with the mild cheesy taste of cottage cheese.

27. Creamy Guacamole

I absolutely adore guacamole with tortilla chips as a snack. When I want to beef it up for a hearty lunch, I mix smashed avocado with my cottage cheese and put it over a green salad or just eat as a dip. If you want some spice, you can add jalapenos or your favorite salsa too.

28. Ricotta Cheese Substitute

Whether you are making stuffed shells or lasagna, try switching out the ricotta cheese for cottage cheese. Unless ricotta cheese is on a mega sale, it is usually much more expensive than cottage cheese. I like to mix the cottage cheese with some shredded mozzarella and some Italian seasoning blend, then use it in place of ricotta cheese. I have also mixed in spinach too for using in a vegetable lasagna. This mixture is actually really good on top of spaghetti too for a new twist!

29. Tuna Salad

Tired if the same out tuna salad? It can get boring if you make it all the time. Next time skip the mayonnaise and use cottage cheese instead. I still use some pickle relish, salt & pepper, and any other seasonings, but this is a nice easy and healthy option. For more information on saving money, read “Is it Cheaper to make or buy Tuna Salad?“

30. Ceasar Chicken Wraps

Want to try a new twist on an old classic? Next time you want to make an easy packed lunch, try this option. Start with a pita or tortilla, and top with chopped lettuce, diced chicken, cottage cheese, and a little Ceasar salad dressing. It gives you all the good flavor combination and gives more protein than just using parmesan cheese.

31. Blended Cottage Cheese

Some people don’t like cottage cheese due to the texture and not the taste, a perfect solution to this is blended cottage cheese! Simply put cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and work it smooth. The final result is similar to Greek yogurt and cream cheese. This savory spread is now perfect for tons of uses from dips to spreads, to baking to making sauces like Alfredo for pasta!

32. Graham Crackers

This is another toddler approved snack or breakfast. My kids love to dip graham crackers in cottage cheese! This is so easy to set up and I am happy about it because they think they get a treat, and they are actually getting lots of protein. (Getting some toddlers to eat enough protein can be a real struggle sometimes!)

33. BBQ Sauce

This is a fun way to use up the little bits of different sauces in the fridge before they go bad. We recently mixed cottage cheese with a little barbeque sauce and leftover diced chicken. This was so yummy and would have been perfect in a wrap or on toasted bread!

34. Breakfast Sausage Bowl

Sometimes we make sausage patties for breakfast and have leftovers that we typically use for a sausage gravy. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any biscuits one day, so instead I chopped the cooked sausage and added it to cottage cheese and a little shredded cheddar cheese. This protein packed breakfast bowl was so yummy, and it was super filling too.

35. Baked Potatoes

Next time you have baked potatoes but don’t have any sour cream try using cottage cheese! We still top it with cheese, butter, or chopped bacon too. This just gives a nice new twist to a classic side dish at dinner.

36. Beef Ramen Noodles

If you have ever had a pack of Beef Ramen, you know that it can be very salty. I have found that if you cook the noodles, add about half the seasoning packet, and a big scoop of cottage cheese, you will have a super creamy noodle lunch that doesn’t pack a huge salty taste.

37. Butter Noodles

This is one of those accidental dishes that ended up so satisfying. My oldest son was going through a buttered noodle kick, and I was desperately trying to get more protein in his meals. I decided to add some cottage cheese and green peas to the buttered pasta, and he loved it!

38. English Muffin or Bagel

Instead of using cream cheese, try spreading cottage cheese on a toasted English muffin or bagel. I am partial to cinnamon raisin bagels, but it works really well on any flavor really. It still gives you the tasty creamy texture, but it isn’t as sweet as cream cheese.

39. Faux KFC Bowl

Lately the KFC bowl with mashed potatoes, corn, fried chicken, and gravy has become all the rage! I have to admit it is very tasty and easy to recreate at home, but I don’t always want to make a batch of mashed potatoes. So, we simply used leftover breaded chicken chopped, corn, and gravy on top of cottage cheese. It was AMAZING!

40. Pudding

This is a perfect example of making a decadent dessert healthier without sacrificing flavor. We love to blend the cottage cheese until smooth and then mix with chocolate pudding. It is a light creamy dessert, and my kids love it! It also works with almost any flavor or pudding and is a nice new way to eat pudding when it gets boring. My daughter loves banana pudding, cottage cheese, and crumbled vanilla wafers on top.

41. Dill Cucumber Salad

This is a nice refreshing side dish for summertime. I like to mix fresh or dried dill with chopped cucumber and mix with cottage cheese. You can also add chopped tomato and onion if you like! The combo of creamy dill and cool cucumber is so tasty!

42. Bruschetta Style

Trying to cut out some bread but love bruschetta? Next time, grab a bowl of cottage cheese and top with diced tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil, and a dash of balsamic vinegar. This is so yummy and light that it works well for a breakfast or brunch side dish as well!

43. Buffalo Dip with Pretzels

This is a huge hit for a tailgating or football game party! Take cottage cheese and mix in your favorite buffalo wing dip and then serve with pretzel chips or regular pretzels. So much healthier than a cream cheese or mayonnaise-based dip and still super tasty!

44. Apple Butter

If you are looking for a sweet treat, try mixing apple butter into your cottage cheese. This was my go-to snack when I was craving apple pie but didn’t want to actually make an apple pie! It has a similar taste to apple pie ala mode but not as sweet! You can also add some granola to this and then it is similar to an apple crisp!

45. Chili

Sometimes leftover chili can get boring but if you mix chili with cottage cheese and a little shredded cheddar cheese you get something unexpected. It tastes very similar to sour cream on chili, but I use more cottage cheese than I would sour cream. This protein packed lunch is super filling!

46. Frittata or Crustless Quiche

This super simple egg dish is really perfect for a last-minute breakfast/brunch for company or just a unique twist on a dinner classic. I like to take 4 eggs, 4 oz of cottage cheese, veggies like tomatoes or broccoli, and then bake at 35o degrees for about 20-25 minutes until eggs are set. It has a similar taste to a veggie omelet and is really a great time saver for making for a large amount of people.

47. Replace Mayo in Mixed Salads

If you are trying to cut mayonnaise down, it may be hard to find a suitable replacement for mixed salads like tuna salad, chicken salad, or ham salad. I like to blend the cottage cheese until super smooth and then mix with the rest of my salad ingredients. Tastes so good and creamy and so much less saturated fat too!

48. Tomato Toast

Skip the avocado toast and try this instead. Toast your favorite bread, spread cottage cheese on top and then sliced tomatoes. I like to sprinkle a little pepper on top for the extra kick as well. This is a great savory breakfast or just a great afternoon snack!

49. Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

These tiny egg bites packed full of spinach, cottage cheese, ham, cheddar cheese, and seasonings are super tasty! Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of their cost, so I will gladly make these at home. Check out a really good copycat recipe from TheHealthyEpicurian.

50. Cheese Filled Kolaches

These traditional Czech yeast cookies are similar to a pastry and are a great breakfast or snack to make at home. Normally they make a sweetened cream cheese filling but you can totally use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese. To check out a really nice recipe for Kolaches, check out FeelingFoodish!

51. Ketchup

Maybe this is just a kid thing, but my kids love cottage cheese with ketchup mixed in. It does make sense though that the sweetness of the ketchup and the mild tanginess of the cottage cheese would go together!

52. Tomato Soup

This is definitely the more adult version of the Ketchup and Cottage Cheese, but you should really try mixing a scoop of cottage cheese into your tomato soup. We love to doctor condensed tomato soup with a can of diced tomatoes and Italian seasonings like garlic and basil. When you stir the cottage cheese in it takes the creaminess to an amazing level!

What can you add to plain cottage cheese?

Hopefully this list of unique cottage cheese mix-ins will inspire your next breakfast, lunch, snack, or side dish for dinner. There is just so much more to do with cottage cheese then mix it with fruit!

For more inspiring meal ideas, check out “Bored with Basic Hamburger Helper? Try These 32 Ideas!” and “30+ Tasty Crockpot Chicken Recipes for Tight Budgets.”