Deliciously creamy Cottage Cheese Queso dip tastes like something that would be served at your favorite Mexican restaurant but is made with high-protein cottage cheese. You only need 10 minutes and 4 ingredients to whip up this perfectly creamy dip!
You may also want to try my smoked salmon dip or my cottage cheese ranch dip.
My kids and I are obsessed with this Cottage Cheese Queso! If you haven’t tried the TikTok viral high-protein queso dip, get ready to be blown away! Whether you need a tasty appetizer for serving at a party or just want a better-for-you, cheesy snack to enjoy, you will love this cheese dip recipe!
Simply blend a tub of cottage cheese with seasonings. Then, add shredded cheese and microwave until smooth and melty. For extra texture and flavor, I love to add toppings like fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and chopped jalapeño.
Highlights
- So tasty: Has the best flavor with a wonderful smooth texture!
- Healthier snack: Combining cottage cheese with regular shredded cheese to make queso, decreases the calories and fat, and packs the dip with protein (one small serving has 4 grams of protein!).
- Quick and easy: You only need 4 key ingredients and about 10 minutes to throw this together.
- Versatile: There are lots of fabulous ways to serve cottage cheese dip! Pair it with veggies or chips for an appetizer or snack. Or you can use it as a sauce to drizzle over tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, and more!
Ingredients needed
This cottage cheese queso recipe only requires 2 ingredients + seasonings. This is super quick, easy to whip up, and a total crowd-pleaser. Here is what you’ll need to make it:
- Cottage cheese: You can use full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese. Just keep in mind that using full-fat cottage cheese will result in a creamier, richer dip.
- Shredded cheese: This is what will give the cheese dip that authentic queso flavor! See the variations section, below, for cheese variety ideas.
- Seasonings: Use garlic powder and your favorite store-bought taco seasoning or make homemade taco seasoning by combining chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground black pepper, sea salt and chili flakes.
See a full list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card below!
How to make it
Step 1: Into a small blender or food processor add the cottage cheese and seasonings.
Step 2: Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Next, transfer the whipped cottage cheese into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.
Step 4: Add the shredded cheese over the blended cottage cheese. Heat in the microwave and stir in 30-second increments for 1-2 minutes or until smooth
Step 5: Remove from microwave and mix again to make sure it is well combined and melted.
Step 6: Top with fresh salsa and serve with chips or fresh veggies.
Recipe tips
- What cottage cheese to use: Feel free to use low-fat cottage cheese for a lower calorie option, but know that the dip will be creamier and richer with full-fat cottage cheese.
- Grate your own cheese: Cheese grated from a block will melt more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese from a bag. When I have the time, I like to grate my own cheese because it’s more rich, flavorful and melty.
- For extra smooth dip: As you microwave in intervals, make sure to keep stirring every 30 seconds. Then, repeat the microwaving process until the queso is perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Heat level: If you’re sensitive to spices, be sure to use a mild packet of taco seasoning.
Frequently asked questions
An equal amount of plain Greek yogurt will work as an alternative to cottage cheese in this recipe. However, it will have a more tangy flavor than if using cottage cheese. It will still be delicious, though!
You may notice that if you’re using a low-fat version of cottage cheese that it contains more liquid. If your cottage cheese is extra watery, try straining the cottage cheese before blending. Also, be sure not to over-blend, because this can release more liquid. If this happens, try adding some more cottage cheese and blending briefly again, just enough to incorporate and thicken the mixture.
Since this queso contains dairy, it shouldn’t be left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. Serve it straight from the microwave, and if it sits out for up to 2 hours, you can always reheat it and stir it before enjoying it again.
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Variations
- Cheese: You may use Monterey jack, pepper jack, or shredded Mexican cheese in place of cheddar cheese.
- Seasonings: If you love your queso spicy, add some cayenne pepper or some fresh Serrano pepper to really kick up the spice level! If you are on the other end of the scale and don’t like spice, definitely don’t add jalapeño as a garnish and use mild taco seasoning.
- Garnish: Choose some tasty toppings for this dip like chili flakes, fresh cilantro, more shredded cheese, freshly diced tomatoes, chopped jalapeños and/or green chilis.
Serving suggestions
There are so many ways to serve this queso dip! Here are some suggestions:
- As a dip: Serve with fresh-cut vegetables like carrot sticks, sliced cucumbers, bell pepper strips, celery, and radishes. Also, add pita chips, crackers, pretzels, and tortilla chips to the serving platter.
- As a cheesy sauce: Drizzle this over wraps like this grilled chicken wrap, over burrito bowls like this chicken burrito bowl, over buffalo chicken tacos, nachos, smashed potatoes, or roasted veggies for extra flavor and creaminess.
Storing recommendations
Queso reheats really well, so it makes great leftovers. Just be sure to reheat it slowly and don’t get it too hot.
- Storing: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to about 3 days.
- To reheat: Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl and gently warm in the microwave using 30-second intervals and stirring well after each one until heated. 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.
Thanks for stopping by! If you make this dish or any of my other recipes, I would really appreciate you taking the time to comment and rate it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Into a small blender or food processor, add the cottage cheese with the seasonings and blend on high until smooth.
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Next, transfer the whipped cottage cheese into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl.
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Add the shredded cheese over the blended cottage cheese.
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Microwave and stir in 30-second increments for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Remove from microwave and mix again to make sure it is well combined and melted.
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Top with toppings or garnish of your choice and serve with chips or veggies.
- You may use Monterey jack, pepper jack, or shredded Mexican cheese in place of cheddar cheese.
- Make sure to stir every 30 seconds.
- Queso reheats really well, so it makes great leftovers. Just be sure to reheat it slowly and don’t get it too hot.
- Storing: Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to about 3 days.
- To reheat: Transfer to a microwave-safe bowl and gently warm in the microwave using 30-second intervals and stirring well after each one until heated. 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.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 158mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 228IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 134mgIron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
