This 4 ingredient cottage cheese queso dip is a snacker’s dream. Packed with protein from the cottage cheese (over 25g per cup) and the perfect balance of flavors from jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning, this dip can be whipped up in 5 minutes for a delicious and nourishing snack that will satisfy on all levels!
As a Registered Dietitian and foodie, I love finding quick ways to add an extra dose of nutrition to popular dishes (especially snacks) that will add to the flavor and satisfaction, not take away from it. It’s part of my Nutrition by Addition philosophy – where you look at what you can add to your plate instead of what to cut out (more on that here).
If you haven’t tried my 5-Minute French Onion Cottage Cheese Dip yet, it’s a must! It’s one of the most popular recipes on the blog for good reason and so easy to make! It’s another example of where cottage cheese adds a delicious flavor and texture while also adding protein to make it a more filling and satisfying snack.
Back to the queso…inspired by another viral TikTok recipe, I decided to try adding my personal twist on it. Adding in the diced jalapenos makes for the perfect balance of spicy and savory. Not only does cottage cheese add that protein boost, it also makes for the creamiest, velvety texture we all love in queso. Mix in some tex mex cheese, taco seasoning, and jalapenos and voila! you have a high protein snack that’s rich in flavor and can be whipped up in 5 minutes flat.
That’s a recipe win in my books!
We had friends over for dinner the night I tested it and I served it with cut up veggies and tortilla chips and it was a hit all around.
What You Need to Make This Cottage Cheese Queso
Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is a staple in our household – we use it to make cottage cheese and fruit bowls, add it to create a protein rich mac and cheese, and even blend it into these chocolate peanut butter overnight oats for an extra boost of protein.
While cottage cheese is not a traditional ingredient in queso dip, I love how it works in this recipe. Its mild flavor blends perfectly with the cheese and seasoning to make a creamy, velvety and oh-so-flavorful base.
Tex mex cheese: I used pre-shredded tex mex cheese for ease and preferred flavor but any cheese or cheese blend will work! Tex mex is usually a mix of cheddar, jalapeno jack, and monterey jack cheeses. I love the subtle hit of heat you get from the jalapeno jack without overpowering a recipe. If you’re sensitive to spice, swap it out for cheddar or any other cheese of choice. If you do, let me know in the comments! I love hearing your versions of my recipes.
Taco seasoning: I once had someone ask me why I use premade seasoning blends instead of making my own. The answer is simple – ease. I’m always looking for ways to save time in the kitchen and pre-made spice blends do. There are times I make my own but I love having them on hand to save time and mess!
In this recipe, I decided to go with the convenience of premade taco seasoning. However, if you want to make your own, you can! Taco seasoning blends may vary, but a typical mix includes a combination of spices like paprika, cumin, oregano and chili, with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
Pickled jalapenos (optional): If you’re like me and a fan of spice, then I highly recommend adding the jalapenos to this recipe. I love how they add a moderate amount of heat to the dip without taking over the dish. If you’re spice-averse, then you can skip this ingredient. I promise I won’t hold it against you. 😉
Nutrition boost tip: Want to get an extra boost of B12 and added umami flavor to your dip? Try mixing in some nutritional yeast, 1 tablespoon at a time until your desired flavor is reached!
How To Make This High Protein Dip
To a blender, add the cottage cheese, cheese, and taco seasoning and blend until smooth. Stir in the jalapenos if using.
Pour into a microwave safe dish and microwave covered on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, pour mixture into a small pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until heated through, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn, approximately 2-4 minutes.
Transfer to a serving dish and top with more cheese and garnishes if desired. Enjoy warm with tortilla chips, crackers or vegetables.
Are “Healthified” Dips Intuitive Eating?
As an intuitive eating dietitian, I’m often asked how health-ifying a recipe can fit into the intuitive eating model (more on the principle of intuitive eating here). Isn’t a high protein queso dip or cottage cheese french onion dip just a diet culture recipe?
My answer? Food and nutrition are not black and white. It’s not all or nothing and diet culture doesn’t get to claim specific foods or recipes as their own. You can eat a high protein queso dip as a snack and be an intuitive eater. You can also eat OG queso dip and be an intuitive eater. It’s all about intention.
Are you choosing one over the other because you feel too guilty eating the other? Or are you choosing it because it’s what would taste good, feel good, and be satisfying in that moment? I often like to add protein to snacks and meals as I know it will keep me full longer. And if the addition isn’t going to sacrifice satisfaction, I’m all in.
When we choose to eat foods that will serve us in the moment instead of listening to that outside noise – the ones that tell us what’s “good” and “bad”, we are honoring our bodies and our hunger. This in turn will reduce cravings and those out of control feelings around food. The result? Feeling at peace and empowered with our food choices.
PS This is something we cover extensively in the Make Food Feel Good Program – my online group coaching program designed to help you stop dieting and feel confident in your every day eating. Learn more here.
Nutritional Benefits (Nutrition by Addition)
As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is a great example of nutrition by addition. I looked at what I could add into the recipe without sacrificing the overall flavor or satisfaction of the dip and decided that cottage cheese would be an amazing addition to this recipe.
I won’t lie, I know that cottage cheese is having a moment on social media. But it’s about dang time. Cottage cheese is a great ingredient and has been a staple in our household forever. And in this recipe, I think it adds a lot without taking away from the overall dish.
Texture: Cottage cheese transforms into a creamy, velvety base when blended with the other ingredients and, in this recipe, that’s exactly what you want!
Flavor: Cottage cheese also has a mild flavor that’s not overpowering like other cheeses. It pairs deliciously with the tex mex blend while also adding an extra dose of nutrients into our day.
Protein: I can’t talk about cottage cheese without talking about protein. One cup of cottage cheese has over 25 g of protein! Protein makes this snack more filling and helps keep blood sugars stable between meals.
Fat: I recommend using a cottage cheese that has some milk fat in it. I know, diet culture has taught us that fats are bad but in reality they add that satiety factor – the thing that keeps us feeling not just full but satisfied after eating.
Other nutrients: Cottage cheese is also rich in other micronutrients. That same ½ cup serving supplies us with nearly 30% of our daily requirement of B12, almost 20% of our DV selenium, and 15% of our DV riboflavin. These nutrients help fuel and support our internal systems so that we can feel our best.
Recipe, Kitchen, & Time Saving Hacks
When I talk about Making Food Feel Good, it’s not just about the flavor or nutrients of a dish – it’s also about the process. I want people to find the joy in food – and that includes making it.
Over the years I’ve learned that not every task in the kitchen is fun. But there are things you can do to make the cooking process more seamless so that you can spend your valuable time doing more of what you love.
Here are a few tricks from my toolbox that you can use when making this recipe:
Batch prep: I am a big fan of batch prepping snack recipes. Snacking is often overlooked but is so important to feeling nourished and energized throughout the day. When I have pre-made snacks in my house, I am more likely to eat them and prevent getting overly hungry between meals. Double this recipe so that you have an easy snack to grab when hunger hits. Store it in portioned out containers (like these) or in one big container. Portion out and reheat in the microwave for a delicious afternoon pick me up.
Kitchen tools are your friends: I have to admit, I strongly dislike shredding cheese. It’s one of the reasons I usually have pre-shredded cheese in my fridge. That being said, sometimes I need to shred cheese. If you’re making your own cheesy blend for this queso dip, use a food processor with the grater attachment. You can grate a block of cheese in less than a minute.
I also recommend investing in a high speed blender. I know it’s a more expensive kitchen tool but it can be used to make so many different recipes. From sauces and dips to smoothies to soups, it’s one of those kitchen tools I don’t regret buying – it can save you 10 to 15 minutes of mixing while getting everything the right consistency.
Use premade blends: As my kids get busier and busier, I am finding I have less time to spend in the kitchen. Buying things like premade taco spice blend or pre-grated cheeses, can save me 5 to 10 minutes in the kitchen. You don’t have to take out 5 different spice blends from the cupboard or worry about cutting a knuckle while you grate cheese. Plus you don’t have to wash a million different measuring spoons or a cheese grater.
If you make this High Protein Cottage Cheese Queso Dip, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and/or star rating below— I love hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot.rd so I can see your versions! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens! Xo
Print5-Minute Warm Queso Dip With Cottage Cheese
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
This 4 ingredient cottage cheese queso dip is a snacker’s dream. Packed with protein from the cottage cheese (over 25g per cup) and the perfect balance of flavors from jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning, this dip can be whipped up in 5 minutes for a delicious and nourishing snack that will satisfy on all levels!
Ingredients
2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup shredded tex mex cheese
1 tsp taco seasoning
¼ cup pickled jalapenos, drained and diced (optional)
Garnish options: pico de gallo or diced tomato, red onion, cilantro
To serve: Tortilla chips, crackers, vegetables
Instructions
-
To a blender, add the cottage cheese, cheese, and taco seasoning and blend until smooth. Stir in the jalapenos if using.
-
Pour into a microwave safe dish and microwave covered on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, pour mixture into a small pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until heated through, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn, approximately 3-5 minutes.
-
Transfer to a serving dish and top with more cheese and garnishes if desired. Enjoy warm with tortilla chips, crackers or vegetables.
Notes
Add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for an extra dose of B12 and zesty flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe