Do you ever scroll through TikTok? Then you’ve probably noticed: cottage cheese. Everywhere. In smoothie bowls, as a base for pancakes, even in hot casseroles. It seems like everyone suddenly discovered that that curd cheese from back in the day is actually pretty great.

And you know what? I totally get the hype. For years cottage cheese had such an old-fashioned image — something your mother might have eaten on a diet in the nineties. But now it turns out to be a super versatile base ingredient. It’s packed with protein, has a mild flavor and you can really use it in so many ways.

That mild taste is exactly its strength. With the right herbs and spices you can transform cottage cheese into something special in a few minutes. In this blog I explain what cottage cheese actually is, how to season it and I share three easy recipes for two people that you can fit into your daily routine.

What is cottage cheese, exactly?

Cottage cheese and huttenkaas? They are the same thing. It’s a fresh cheese with a grainy texture and a mild, fresh flavor. When it’s made the curd is rinsed, which makes the cheese less sour than, for example, quark. It stays soft and has that characteristic, light bite.

Precisely because the taste is so neutral, cottage cheese works well with everything: herbs, spices, fruit — both sweet and savory.

Why cook with it?

There are actually quite a few reasons. That neutral taste means you can vary endlessly. Cottage cheese is full of protein, easy to digest and therefore ideal if you want something filling without being heavy. You can eat it cold, but also use it warm — it absorbs flavors from herbs and spices very well.

I don’t see cottage cheese as the end product, but as a base. A canvas you work with yourself and build the flavor up step by step.

Three easy recipes with cottage cheese

1. Savory cottage cheese bowl with fresh herbs

When I’m craving something light but still filling, I often make this bowl. It’s on the table within ten minutes: fresh, simple and complete.

Ingredients for 2 people

• 300 g cottage cheese

• ½ cucumber, diced

• 150 g cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp finely chopped dill

• 1 tbsp fresh or dried chives

• Black pepper

• Salt to taste

How to make it
Put the cottage cheese in a bowl and mix in the dill, chives, lemon juice and olive oil. Add the cucumber and tomato and stir gently. Season with pepper and, if needed, some salt. Serve immediately as lunch or a light dinner.

2. Cottage cheese pancakes

I often make these pancakes on weekends. They are airy, soft and you can just as easily make them sweet as savory.

Ingredients for 2 people (approx. 6 small pancakes)

• 200 g cottage cheese

• 2 eggs

• 60 g oats or flour

• ½ tsp baking powder

• Oil or butter for frying

For sweet

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• Honey or fresh fruit

For savory

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp chives or parsley

How to make it
Put all ingredients in a blender or bowl and mix to a smooth batter. Heat a pan with some oil or butter and fry small pancakes on medium heat until golden brown, about two minutes per side. Serve sweet or savory.

3. Warm casserole with cottage cheese

Using cottage cheese warm? I never did that before, but now more and more. In this casserole it provides creaminess without becoming heavy.

Ingredients for 2 people

• 300 g vegetables of your choice (zucchini, bell pepper or sweet potato)

• 250 g cottage cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder

• 1 tsp oregano

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Black pepper

How to make it
Preheat the oven to 190 °C. Cut the vegetables into pieces and toss with olive oil and pepper. Spread in a baking dish and roast for twenty minutes. Meanwhile, mix the cottage cheese with the spices. Remove the dish from the oven, spread the seasoned cottage cheese over it and put back for ten minutes. Serve immediately.

Seasoning cottage cheese with herbs

Cottage cheese is mild on its own, and that’s precisely what makes it such a nice base. It’s like a blank canvas where you decide the direction. In a few minutes you can lift it from fresh to spicy, from savory to sweet. With the right herbs you can really make something special.

Fresh and light

• Dill

• Chives

• Lemon zest

• Cucumber

Mediterranean

• Oregano

• Basil

• Black pepper

• Sun-dried tomato

Warm and spicy

• Smoked paprika powder

• Cumin

• Chili flakes

• Garlic

Sweet

• Cinnamon

• Vanilla

• Honey

• Fresh fruit such as pear, apple or berries

In closing

That whole comeback of cottage cheese feels to me like more than a hype. It’s simply a handy base ingredient that effortlessly adapts to what you want to make with it. With a few good herbs and simple steps you can turn it into something different every time.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes simple is exactly the tastiest.

Cottage cheese: frequently asked questions

1. Is cottage cheese the same as huttenkaas?
   Yes. Two names, the same product.
2. Can you use cottage cheese warm?
   Definitely. It doesn’t really melt, but it does become creamier. Works great in casseroles.
3. Which herbs go best with cottage cheese?
   For cold dishes dill and chives are nice. For warm dishes paprika powder, oregano or cumin work well.
4. Is cottage cheese healthy?
   It’s full of protein and relatively low in fat. Do watch the salt content if you’re sensitive to it.
5. Can you eat cottage cheese sweet?
   Absolutely. With cinnamon, vanilla and fruit it’s ideal as breakfast or a snack.