17 Cottage Cheese Recipes for a Delicious Friday Night

Cottage cheese is often overlooked, but it can be a fantastic ingredient for a fun and satisfying dinner. It’s creamy, high in protein, and versatile, making it perfect for many meals. This simple cheese can be transformed into a variety of dishes that will delight your taste buds.

If you’re looking for something light and healthy or hearty and filling, there is a cottage cheese recipe for you. Here are 17 easy meals that will make your Friday night dinner both delicious and enjoyable.

1. Cottage Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

• 12 jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
3. In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Stuff each pasta shell with the cottage cheese mixture and place them in a baking dish.
5. Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and cover with foil.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until heated through.

Serving suggestion

Serve warm with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and a side salad.

2. Cottage Cheese Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup broccoli, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, cottage cheese, rice, broccoli, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the mixture into a greased baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving suggestion

Enjoy this hearty casserole with crusty bread or a fresh green salad.

3. Cottage Cheese and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (like bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add mixed vegetables and grated ginger, stir-frying until tender.
3. Stir in the cottage cheese and soy sauce, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving suggestion

Serve over a bed of cooked rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

4. Cottage Cheese and Zucchini Fritters

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Process

1. Squeeze excess moisture from the shredded zucchini using a clean kitchen towel.
2. In a bowl, combine zucchini, cottage cheese, flour, eggs, green onions, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the skillet and flatten slightly. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Drain on paper towels before serving.

Serving suggestion

Serve warm with a side of sour cream or yogurt.

5. Cottage Cheese Quiche

Ingredients

• 1 pre-made pie crust
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 cup shredded cheese (like Swiss or cheddar)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, bell peppers, salt, pepper, and oregano.
3. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the quiche is set and lightly golden on top.

Serving suggestion

Slice and serve warm with a fresh garden salad.

6. Cottage Cheese Tacos

Ingredients

• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 8 small tortillas
• 1 cup lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Salsa for topping
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave.
2. In a bowl, mix cottage cheese with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble tacos by spreading cottage cheese on each tortilla, then adding lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado.
4. Top with salsa.

Serving suggestion

Serve immediately for a fun and easy dinner.

7. Cottage Cheese Chili

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. In a pot over medium heat, sauté chopped onion until soft.
2. Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
3. Cook for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
4. Stir in the cottage cheese just before serving.

Serving suggestion

Serve hot with cornbread or tortilla chips.

8. Cottage Cheese and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, sauté mushrooms until soft. Mix in cottage cheese, mozzarella, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Cut a pocket in each chicken breast and stuff with the cottage cheese mixture.
4. Place stuffed chicken in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through.

Serving suggestion

Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a green salad.

9. Cottage Cheese and Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cottage cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.

Serving suggestion

Serve chilled as a light dinner option.

10. Cottage Cheese and Broccoli Bake

Ingredients

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Steam broccoli until tender, then chop it coarsely.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine broccoli, cottage cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Serving suggestion

Enjoy warm with a side of crusty bread.

11. Cottage Cheese Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix ground meat, cottage cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Form mixture into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned.

Serving suggestion

Serve with marinara sauce and spaghetti or in a sub sandwich.

12. Cottage Cheese Lasagna

Ingredients

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions and drain.
3. In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg, salt, and pepper.
4. Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Layer 3 noodles, half of the cottage cheese mixture, half of the mozzarella, and a third of the marinara sauce.
5. Repeat layers, finishing with noodles, sauce, and remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Serving suggestion

Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

13. Cottage Cheese Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (like carrots, peas, and corn)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add vegetable broth and mixed vegetables, bringing to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in cottage cheese and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Serving suggestion

Serve hot with a slice of garlic bread.

14. Cottage Cheese Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 pre-made pizza crust
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup sliced olives
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, sliced

Process

1. Preheat the oven according to pizza crust instructions.
2. Spread marinara sauce over the pizza crust.
3. Top with cottage cheese, mozzarella, olives, and bell peppers.
4. Bake according to crust instructions or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving suggestion

Slice and serve hot with fresh basil leaves.

15. Cottage Cheese Baked Potatoes

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Poke holes in potatoes with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack for 45-60 minutes until tender.
3. Cut a slit in each potato and fluff the insides with a fork.
4. Mix cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, salt, and pepper. Fill each potato with the mixture.

Serving suggestion

Serve warm as a filling dinner option.

16. Cottage Cheese and Roasted Vegetable Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup roasted vegetables (like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots)
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• Salt and pepper to taste

Process

1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and roasted vegetables.
2. Top with cottage cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
3. Toss gently to combine and season with salt and pepper.

Serving suggestion

Serve immediately for a fresh and nutritious dinner.

17. Cottage Cheese and Salmon Wraps

Ingredients

• 4 whole grain tortillas
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup smoked salmon, sliced
• 1/4 cup capers
• 1 cup arugula or spinach
• Lemon wedges for serving

Process

1. Spread cottage cheese evenly over each tortilla.
2. Layer smoked salmon, capers, and arugula on top.
3. Roll up each tortilla tightly and slice in half.

Serving suggestion

Serve with lemon wedges for a zesty touch.

These 17 easy recipes highlight just how delicious cottage cheese can be. With simple steps and tasty results, you can enjoy a delightful Friday night dinner with family and friends. I hope these ideas inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and make the most of this wonderful cheese!