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This creamy cottage cheese dip tastes like ranch but is protein-packed and takes only 5 minutes to make with pantry spices! It’s perfect for parties, snacking, or healthy lunch ideas.
Cottage cheese can be polarizing, but here’s a recipe that proves its versatility: this creamy cottage cheese dip! It tastes like that good old ranch dip (the kind with the seasoning packet), but it’s made with this low-calorie, high protein cheese!
The first time I suggested blending cottage cheese into a dip, Alex gave me the side-eye (he’s always wary of food trends). But after one taste from the food processor, he said, “Wow!” All you need are a few pantry ingredients to whip up this easy party dip.
Essential ingredients for this recipe
This cottage cheese dip is ready in 5 minutes with 5 ingredients: all you need is a large food processor! You can also make this in a blender if you like. All you have to do is blend the following ingredients until fluffy and smooth:
- Cottage cheese: You can use any type of cottage cheese, including small or large curd. Many brands have different flavor profiles (some can taste more sour than others), so experiment to find a brand you love.
- Onion powder, garlic powder, and dried dill: These simply pantry spices make the traditional ranch flavor.
- Kosher salt: Using just enough salt makes the flavor pop.
The best equipment for cottage cheese dip
A food processor is hands-down the best tool for this job. The wide blade gives you that perfectly smooth texture in about a minute. I use my 11-cup food processor, but even a smaller 7-cup model works great. With a blender the cheese can sometimes get stuck at the bottom depending on the power level of your blender.
A blender can work, though: just scrape down often and keep blending until smooth. If necessary, you can add about 1 tablespoon milk or water to try to get it to blend (just don’t add too much or it will become too liquid).
Creative ways to serve as dip or spread
This dip is so versatile, which is why it’s become a staple in my house! Here are my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Fresh vegetable sticks: carrots, celery, bell peppers, and snap peas are my go-to’s
- Pita chips or store-bought pita crisps
- Sliced kohlrabi or jicama if you want something different
- Crackers: I especially love it with seeded or gluten-free crackers
- Spread on crostini as an appetizer base
- As a sandwich spread in place of mayo
- Dolloped over baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes
- Paired with edamame for a snack plate
For parties, this dip works in a spread of party food with other dip recipes like whipped feta dip or French onion dip. I like to set out a variety of options: this dip, something chunky like salsa, and maybe a warm spinach artichoke dip.
Storage and make-ahead tips
Store this cottage cheese dip in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Often I make this a day ahead when I’m planning healthy snack recipes for the week.
If you notice a little liquid separation on top after refrigeration, just give it a quick stir. I don’t recommend freezing this dip, as the texture can become grainy when thawed.
What makes cottage cheese a healthy choice
Is cottage cheese that much better than a sour cream in a dip? What makes cottage cheese a healthy cheese? According to Healthline, here are some of the benefits of cottage cheese:
- It’s a low calorie cheese. A 1-cup serving has just 163 calories.
- It’s high in protein. 1 cup has a whopping 28 grams protein, over half your daily need. Protein accounts for over 70% of the calories.
- It’s packed with nutrients like B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium.
While you’re only eating small quantities as a dip, the amount of protein you get with lower calories does make a difference.
Dietary notes
This cottage cheese dip is vegetarian and gluten-free.
Cottage Cheese Dip (5 Ingredients!)
This creamy cottage cheese dip tastes like ranch but is protein-packed and takes only 5 minutes to make with pantry spices! It’s perfect for parties, snacking, or healthy lunch ideas.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Dip
- Method: Whipped
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups (1 pound) cottage cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper, optional
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor* until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down the bowl once. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
Notes
*A food processor is best, but you can also try in a blender. Stop and scrape down the bowl, and if necessary add about 1 tablespoon milk or water to get it to blend. Resist the urge to add too much or it will become too liquid in texture.
More ways to use cottage cheese
There are lots of ways to use cottage cheese outside of simply eating it with a spoon! Here are some of our favorite cottage cheese recipes:
- Make tasty Cottage Cheese Pancakes, a high-protein pancake that tastes like French toast.
- Try Whipped Cottage Cheese on toast or as a dip.
- Make pasta like Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese.
- Go for this Crustless Quiche with Cottage Cheese or mix up Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese.
I had just bought some small curd cottage cheese that was very dry and was looking for a recipe like this one. I blended and added a bit of cream to make up for the dryness. Perfect, thanks!