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If you’ve been around Wholesomelicious for a while, you already know I have a little love affair with cottage cheese. I’ve blended into pancakes, baked it into breakfast bowls, and even snuck it creamy pasta dishes. But today’s recipe might be my new favorite way to use it…. Turning humble cottage cheese into a creamy, cheese, high-protein quest dip that you will want on repeat. And guess what? You only need 4 ingredients!
If you’re looking for a quick, cozy, and satisfying appetizer, give this Cottage Cheese Queso a try!
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Queso
- Protein-packed: thanks to cottage cheese, this dip is far lighter and higher in protein than traditional Queso. As a nutritionist, I am always looking for more ways to add in protein!
- Just 4 ingredients: cottage cheese, taco seasoning, pepper jack cheese, and pickled jalapeños.
- Game-day friendly: nachos are my all-time favorite appetizer for football season, and this dip is the perfect match for chips, veggies, or drizzled over nachos.
- Quick and easy: blend, heat, and serve. You can warm it right in the microwave, making it a no-fuss recipe for busy weekends.
How to make it!
Gather up these ingredients:
- Cottage cheese– I use full fat cottage cheese in this recipe because I think works better when heated and blended with pepper jack cheese.
- Taco seasoning– use your favorite brand! Some are saltier than others, so making your own with 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder is also a good idea!
- Pepper jack cheese– this brings more of a melty cheesy flavor! I grate my own for better results. You can also use a good cheddar.
- Pickled jalapeños– tangy, spicy, and perfect for this recipe.
Making this recipe couldn’t be easier! Blend cottage cheese, taco seasoning, and pickled jalapeños to a blender or food processor. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until silky smooth. Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl, stir in shredded pepper jack cheese, and microwave for 30 second intervals until hot and melty. This will probably take 3 minutes! Give it a stir and enjoy immediately with tortilla chips or veggies.
Storing and Re-heating
- Storing: this Queso keeps well in the fridge for about 3-4 days in an airtight container. It will thicken as it chills.
- Reheating: the easiest way is to microwave. Stir in 30-second intervals until hot and smooth. You might need to add a splash of milk, or even water, if it’s too thick.
- Texture tip: It reheats beautifully. Still creamy and melty, though the pepper jack may give it a little extra “pull” after the first chill.
If you love quick and flavorful dips like this high-protein queso, be sure to check out our 10-Minute Layered Greek Dip with Hummus and Tzatziki for another easy appetizer that’s perfect for parties or snacking!
Cottage Cheese Queso (4 Ingredients, High Protein Dip)
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese*
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning**
- 2 tbsp pickled jalapeños
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Add cottage cheese, taco seasoning, and pickled jalapeños to a blender or food processor. Blend until very smooth, pausing every 30 seconds or so to scrape down the sides. This should take about 3 minutes, maybe longer!
- Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl, stir in shredded pepper jack cheese, and microwave in 30-second intervals until hot and melty.
- Give it a good stir and enjoy immediately with tortilla chips. Tips for re-heating are posted above in the blog post!
Notes
