Cottage Cheese Queso
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Published May 01, 2024, Updated Oct 27, 2024
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This 3 ingredient cottage cheese queso comes together in about 5 minutes for a high protein snack or appetizer that’s creamy, cheesy and seriously addicting!
Given my love for cottage cheese I just had to try the viral cottage cheese queso dip as soon as I saw the recipe on TikTok from Janelle Rohner. Her recipe calls for nutritional yeast, but I decided to go with shredded cheese instead because #cheeselover!
I love how it tastes like real deal queso, but it’s packed with 22 grams of protein per serving. And it’s SO easy to whip up. Just blend and microwave… that’s it! You’ll have a delicious, creamy and cheesy dip in a matter of minutes.
I love serving it with tortilla chips or fresh veggies for a mid-day snack or appetizer before dinner. However you serve it, I know you’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier – Adding cottage cheese to queso makes this dip lighter and packed with protein (one serving has 22 grams of protein!), making it a healthier alternative to traditional queso.
- Quick and Easy – You only need 3 main ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep to whip up this cottage cheese queso. Can’t get much easier than that!
- Versatile – Serve it as an appetizer or snack with chips or veggies or drizzle it over tacos, burrito bowls, nachos and so much more!
Ingredients Needed
You only need THREE simple ingredients for this recipe. Here’s what you need:
- cottage cheese – choose full-fat cottage cheese for creaminess or low-fat for a lighter option. I personally love whole milk Good Culture cottage cheese.
- taco seasoning – use your favorite store-bought mixture or make your own taco seasoning at home by combining garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano crushed red pepper, salt and pepper.
- pepper jack or cheddar cheese – for that real deal cheesy goodness that we all love in queso! Use cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese for added flavor! You can also use monterey jack or a Mexican cheese blend.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Queso
This recipe takes only 5 minutes to whip up. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Add your cottage cheese and taco seasoning to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Transfer your cottage cheese mixture to a microwave-safe bowl and add your shredded cheese. Microwave in 30-second intervals until cheese is fully melted, about 1-1 1/2 minutes. Add your favorite toppings, if desired and serve warm with chips or veggies.
Recipe Tips!
- Shred your own cheese: I recommend buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself as the pre-shredded cheeses typically contain preservatives like potato starch, natamycin and/or cellulose to prevent the shreds from clumping together in the bag.
- Double the recipe: If you’re serving a crowd I recommend doubling or tripling the recipe because it’s truly addicting and goes fast!
- Have fun with the toppings: The toppings are totally optional, but definitely take this queso to the next level. Some topping ideas are pico de gallo, salsa, cilantro, red onion, cherry tomatoes, green chiles, jalapeños, crushed red pepper and/or additional shredded cheese.
How to Serve Cottage Cheese Queso
- As a dip – I love serving this queso as an appetizer or snack with tortilla chips and fresh vegetables like bell peppers, carrots and cucumber! It would also be delicious served as a dip with fresh jicama or my baked jicama fries.
- As a topping – this queso is a delicious topping for any recipe that you want to add some creamy, cheesy goodness too. Drizzle it over this chicken burrito bowl, sheet pan shrimp fajitas, cauliflower nachos, stuffed sweet potato or chicken tacos. The options are endless!
Can I Make This Queso Without a Microwave?
Yes! No microwave? No problem. You can make this dip in the oven or air fryer.
To make this dip in the oven, transfer the cottage cheese mixture to an oven-safe dish, add your cheese and cook at 350F for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Pro tip: add additional shredded cheese on top and broil for a few minutes for some added cheesy goodness!
To make this dip in the air fryer, transfer the mixture with cheese to your air fryer and cook at 350F for probably 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
How to Store Leftovers
- In the fridge: Place any leftover queso in an airtight container and refrigerate it for 2-3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the queso in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. You can also reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water if the queso has thickened too much.
More Dips and Spreads
- Creamy Hummus
- Lima Bean Hummus
- Everything Bagel Dip
- Easy Guacamole
- Whipped Feta Dip
- Whipped Cottage Cheese
Be sure to check out all of my cottage cheese recipes as well as all the dips and spreads here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Cottage Cheese Queso
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese, full fat or low fat
- 2-3 teaspoons taco seasoning
- ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese or cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: pico de gallo, cilantro, red onion, cherry tomatoes, crushed red pepper additional shredded cheese.
Instructions
- Add cottage cheese and taco seasoning to a blender or food processor and blend together until smooth.
- Add mixture to a microwave safe bowl, add cheese and microwave in 30 second increments until cheese is melted. This took about 60-90 seconds.
- Serve warm with toppings of choice and tortilla chips or fresh veggies.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So easy to make and really tasty! Approved by two of my kids too! I did add a splash of water to my blender because all my cottage cheese wouldn’t blend.
Yay! So glad this recipe was a hit with your family! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
Loved this recipe! I cooked it on the stovetop on low and it came out perfect.
YAY! This is the best, Laura. I am so glad this recipe turned out great for you. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I appreciate it!
mad ethics for my coworkers for a night shift, and we all devoured it! definitely will be making again! just wondering if you think this would be freezable?
Hi Jessica! I haven’t tried it, unfortunately cottage cheese doesn’t freeze very well so I am afraid the texture of the queso might change when it’s thawed. I am so glad everyone loved this recipe though! Thanks of sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
I had yet to find a way to incorporate cottage cheese before this recipe. If someone else made this, I would never have guessed the main ingredient was cottage cheese!! It is my new go to way to satisfy my nachos craving
YUM! I am so glad you found this recipe and are loving it, Jenny! Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
Teenage boy approved!
I had to make a double batch just to get some for myself. We also swirled some hot sauce on top. FAN-tastic!
WOO! This is SO great to hear, Samantha. I am glad this recipe is teenage boy approved and you loved it too. Thanks for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
I followed the directions and it turned out perfect! I added some canned diced green chillies. Delish to dip chips & chicken strips but I can’t wait to try it on a baked potato! I’m trying to eat more protein so this will be on my regular rotation.
YUM! This sounds great, Shelby. I am excited to hear that you are loving this recipe. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Leaving a 5 star review because the low stars are nonsense. This recipe is easy and delicious. Where does it say make it on a stovetop?! You overcooked it. Throw everything in a blender, microwave for a bit, dive it. It’s fantastic.
Thank YOU! I appreciate the review + star rating, and I am so glad you are loving this recipe!
I made this stovetop and it completely separated so the liquid is all on top and thick melted cheese on bottom.
Hi Adriane – So sorry that happened. It sound like you pan might have been too hot. I recommend if you are making this on the stove, keep it at low heat so the mixture doesn’t separate.
Very thick consistency, more like a queso fondito. Not worth the effort.
Hi Briana! Hmm, I did not find the consistency to be thick, more on the thinner side. Did you change anything about the recipe? What type of cottage cheese did you use?
So simple, yet delicious! I am very excited to have a healthy alternative to regular chili con queso. I added Rotel to my second batch of queso. So good!
Ahh I love this so much, Amy. Thanks so much for sharing, I am glad you are loving this recipe. I appreciate your review & star rating, it means so much to me!