Cottage Cheese Queso

If you love creamy, cheesy queso then this protein-packed Cottage Cheese Queso will be your new favorite recipe! All you need is cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, taco seasoning, and rotel tomatoes for a delicious, healthy queso that is creamy, packed with flavor, and has 11 grams of protein!

Lately, we have been spending a lot of time watching football and eating all the dips - Healthy Taco Dip, Easy Black Bean Dip, classic Guacamole - I love to serve it all, especially with these crispy baked tortilla chips. It's one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday. 

After seeing a viral tiktok recipe for cottage cheese queso dip, I knew it was time to create my own. Using cottage cheese in place most of the cheese (or Velveeta) is a great way to create a healthier queso that is also packed with protein.  With under 100 calories for 1/4 cup serving and 11 grams of protein, this is a trend I can support.

Why You’ll Love this High Protein Cottage Cheese Queso

• A healthier way to eat queso: With less than 100 calories per serving and 11 grams of protein, this is a great way to enjoy queso.
• Versatile: Use this creamy cottage cheese queso as a snack or appetizer with your favorite tortilla chips. Serve it drizzled over tacos or grain bowls. Or mix it with pasta for a high-protein mac and cheese.
• Easy to make: This dip comes together in less than 10 minutes with just four ingredients!

Looking for more healthy dips and salsas? Don’t miss this Corn Salsa, Avocado Ranch Dip, Chili Con Queso, or Rajas con Queso.

Ingredients

Here is everything you need to make this tasty cottage cheese dip.

• Cottage cheese: This viral queso can be made with any type of cottage cheese including fat-free cottage cheese (dry curd), low-fat cottage cheese, or full-fat cottage cheese. It will also work with lactose-free and whipped varieties.
• Taco seasoning: Homemade taco seasoning has the best flavor in our opinion (and no additives), but store-bought also works great. You can swap in other spices as well including chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, or paprika. Or add canned chipotle peppers in adobo.
• Cheese: While this can be made without cheese for a lighter option, it tastes more like the real thing with cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well like cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, or pepper jack cheese. Full-fat cheese melts better than low-fat but both can be used. For a lighter option, you can also use nutritional yeast in place of cheese.
• Rotel tomatoes: Since cottage cheese has such a mild flavor, Rotel tomatoes are the perfect way to add flavor. Swap in any type of diced tomatoes with green chiles (or jalapenos) or use a thick and chunky salsa. Just make sure to drain the tomatoes or salsa or the dip will turn out watery.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Queso (Warm & Cold)

This easy queso comes together in less than 10 minutes!

1. Blend Cottage Cheese and Taco Seasoning

Start by adding the cottage cheese and taco seasoning to a food processor or blender. Blend until it is really creamy and smooth.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. It should be flavorful at this point. If it tastes blend, add some extra taco seasoning.

2. Melt in Cheese and Tomatoes

Add the cottage cheese mixture to a microwave-safe bowl or a saucepan. Add the drained tomatoes and shredded cheese. Microwave for 1.5-3 minutes, stirring vigorously every 30 seconds.

It is super important to stir this dip every 30 seconds to ensure it turns out smooth and creamy. If you are cooking it on the stove, make sure to stir often and remove it as soon as the cheese has melted in the cottage cheese so it doesn’t burn.

3. Serve

Serve this healthy queso dip with baked tortilla chips, baked tostada shells, carrots, bell peppers, celery, crackers, pita bread, and more.

Cold Cottage Cheese Queso

Although we prefer to serve this dip warm, you can also make a cold version to have on hand for a quick snack, appetizer, or sauce.

For the cold version, I honestly prefer to make this dip with nutritional yeast or serve the shredded cheese on top. If you plan on serving it cold, I don’t recommend heating it at all or the cheese will seize up and give the queso a strange texture.

Ways to Serve Queso

There are so many different ways to serve this high-protein queso. Go traditional with tortilla chips or veggies or get creative, using this as an easy way to add protein to bowls, wraps, tacos, and more.

• As an appetizer or snack: Serve it with tortilla chips, raw veggies, crackers, or tostada shells.
• As a high protein sauce: Take some inspiration from Chipotle and use this to add extra protein to chicken street tacos, steak tacos, chicken taco bowls, or drizzled on white chicken chili.
• Make it a meal: Use this queso to make a high-protein macaroni and cheese, Mexican rice casserole, cheesy enchiladas, or quesadillas.

Best Cottage Cheese Queso Toppings

Whenever we serve this, especially at parties, I also add garnishes as well.

• Fresh cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Pico de gallo
• Pickled or fresh jalapenos
• Hot sauce
• Black beans
• Corn salsa
• Salsa or extra Rotel tomatoes

Recipe Ideas and Customizations

There are so many ways to customize this recipe and make it your own.

• Smoky and spicy: Add a couple of canned chipotle peppers in adobo with sauce to add smokiness and some extra spice.
• Vegan: Make this with vegan cottage cheese and nutritional yeast.
• Add beans: Fold in canned black beans or pinto beans to add fiber to this dip.
• Add more veggies: Add extra nutrients by adding sauteed onions, bell peppers, or even small cauliflower florets or spinach to this protein-packed dip.
• Even more protein: Add cooked lean ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken to double up the protein.

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover queso, let it cool completely and then store it in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until the cheese is smooth and creamy again. It will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days.

If the queso feels somewhat grainy or lumpy when reheated, add a few splashes of hot water or milk. This cottage cheese queso doesn’t freeze well.