Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese made by heating whole milk which then produces soft and bouncy curds. It’s very mild in flavor and has slight saltiness. You can use it on its own or add it to hot dishes including pasta, pancakes, and dips.
Cottage cheese is low in fat, that’s why it has become one of the most popular types of cheese among dieters and people who are after a healthy lifestyle. It’s used both in sweet and savory recipes.
If you are not a big fan of this cheese, then here we offer many cottage cheese substitutes for you to use in your favorite cheese-based recipes.
The best substitutes for cottage cheese are ricotta cheese, mozzarella, goat’s cheese, kefir cheese, greek yogurt, Fromage blanc, cream cheese, faisselle cheese, and non-dairy alternatives such as tofu, egg whites, hummus, and pureed beans.
Best Substitutes for Cottage Cheese
1. Ricotta Cheese
Can I substitute ricotta for cottage cheese?
The first substitute that may cross your mind is ricotta cheese because it comes with almost the same texture and taste as cottage cheese. They have many similarities and you can also easily find ricotta cheese.
Compared to cottage cheese, ricotta cheese is more nutritious and has more fat in it. It contains curds but is smoother and creamier in texture and reminds of a good mixture of cottage and cream cheeses.
Due to this, it spreads quite well on dishes. You can use it in a 1:1 ratio in any recipe calling for cottage cheese.
2. Mozzarella
Mozzarella is the next soft type of cheese and although it’s more flexible and stretching it can be used instead of cottage cheese in baked goods, hot dishes, pasta, and many more. Mozzarella is made of cow’s or goat’s milk and has a milky taste with some floral notes.
It’s not aged for long that’s why it stands close to cottage cheese but has a chewy texture too. If you use cottage cheese on pizzas or with lasagna, then mozzarella is the best substitute to choose.
3. Goat’s Cheese
When it comes to nutritional value, goat’s cheese overruns cottage cheese. It’s another reduced-fat cheese higher in calories, calcium, and healthy fats, and compared to cow’s cheese, it’s easier to digest. It’s creamy, and soft and tastes mild, earthy, and buttery.
You can use it instead of cottage cheese in a 1:1 ratio as an appetizer with cold dishes or add it to pasta, pizzas, salads, and toast. Compared to cow’s cheese goat’s cheese is more expensive.
4. Kefir Cheese
Kefir cheese and cottage cheese have similar nutritional value. Kefir cheese is low in fats and it’s a popular dairy product in weight-loss diet recipes. It’s better for digestion and skin health. You can use it not only in savory dishes but also in desserts and cakes.
You can either buy kefir cheese from grocery stores or make it yourself at home if you have kefir. Pour it into a fine cheesecloth, knot it tightly and hang it the way so that the curds separate from the water content. Wait until it’s completely drained and there you go with a perfect substitute.
5. Greek Yogurt
For those looking for a cottage cheese alternative for baked goods, desserts, dips, and the like there is greek yogurt. It’s one of the easiest substitutes because many of us use greek yogurt daily.
It’s a special ingredient in diet-friendly recipes as it’s low in fats and calories, and high in protein and calcium just like cottage cheese.
Compared to regular yogurt, greek yogurt is thicker and creamier. It’s a bit sour and tart but you can safely use it both in sweet and savory dishes balancing the flavor with other ingredients.
6. Fromage Blanc
Fromage blanc, also called white cheese, is made of skimmed or cow’s milk. It’s a fresh cheese originating from France. Sometimes cream is added to it to improve its taste. As a result, it resembles cottage cheese in texture and flavor.
It’s low in fat, tart-sweet in flavor, and soft in texture. Thanks to its spreadable and creamy consistency, it’s an ideal cottage cheese alternative for hot dishes and dips. You can use Fromage blanc in desserts, and sweet and savory dishes.
7. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is often used in desserts, cheesecakes, and baked goods. It has a mild and slightly sweet taste. The texture is creamy which makes it quite suitable to use instead of cottage cheese. Since it’s smooth and spreadable you can use it in dips, hot dishes, toasts, and baked goods.
There are fat-free and full-fat varieties of cream cheese and you can use the one that meets your preferences. You’ll get an awesome result in any case.
8. Faisselle Cheese
Faisselle is a french cheese made of raw milk of cows, goats, or sheep. It’s white, thick, creamy, and moist and tastes fresh, and tangy with mild milky notes. It may be hard to find it but if you have it then it can be used to substitute cottage cheese in cheesecakes, dips, and spreads.
Dairy-Free Substitute for Cottage Cheese
Besides dairy substitutes, there are also dairy-free substitutes for cottage cheese special for vegans and lactose-intolerant people. We have chosen alternatives that offer similar features like texture and taste.
9. Tofu
Tofu, native to China, is made of condensed soy milk and tastes mild, and neutral. It has a cheese-like appearance and soft texture. Tofu is the first dairy-free product to use in place of cottage cheese. It’s amazingly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. It can absorb other flavors.
Compared to cottage cheese, tofu is lower in fats and it’s considered a healthier alternative to cheese. You can mash tofu until you get a cottage cheese-like texture and use it in a 1:1 ratio in vegan dishes, pasta, baked goods, and cakes.
10. Egg Whites
Egg whites can come for help when making toast, cakes, or other baked goods that call for cottage cheese. They are high in protein, low in fat, and come with many essential nutrients that can replace those found in cheese.
This may not be a good idea for vegans but it’s a perfect option for lactose-intolerant people. It’s also an easy replacement.
11. Hummus
You can also consider using hummus or chickpea puree instead of cottage cheese. It has a creamy, soft, and subtle texture that resembles cottage cheese. Hummus is a healthy and nutritious food that’s used as a side dish or appetizer.
Besides cooked chickpeas, it also contains other ingredients that enhance its flavor and make it richer. If you don’t like its taste, then you can refer to cooked and pureed chickpeas that come with a more neutral, earthy flavor and can be used instead of cottage cheese in pasta and as a spread for many dishes.
12. Pureed Cannellini Beans
Another healthy and affordable alternative to cottage cheese is pureed cannellini beans. Pureed beans have a creamy texture and buttery and mild flavor.
We offer cannellini beans as they are softer and can maintain the color of your dish when replacing cottage cheese. However, if you don’t have cannellini beans, you may consider other beans too. They are vegan, dairy-free, and low in fat.
FAQs on Cottage Cheese
Can I substitute sour cream for cottage cheese?
Yes, you can use sour cream or crème fraîche to substitute cottage cheese in many recipes but note that the end dish will be creamier and higher in moisture.
Why is it called cottage cheese?
This cheese was believed to be produced in cottages from leftovers of milk after making butter. It was considered a simple and affordable type of cheese.
Is cottage cheese healthy?
Cottage cheese is a healthy cheese. It’s low in fats, and high in minerals, protein, and vitamins such as calcium, and selenium. It’s one of the best cheeses to use when you are on a weight-loss diet or want to build muscles.
Final Words
There are many easy and tasty recipes with cottage cheese and if you don’t have this special ingredient then you know what to use instead. Don’t miss a recipe because you don’t have the ingredients. Just use one of these cottage cheese substitutes and enjoy your meal.