There are plenty of reasons you might need cottage cheese substitutes.
Maybe you’re dairy-free or following a vegan lifestyle.
Or perhaps you just want something with a bit of a different flavor profile or texture.
Whatever the reason, there are plenty of cottage cheese alternatives available.
Check out this list and find the perfect replacement for your next recipe.
What is Cottage Cheese?
If you watch TV or use streaming platforms, you probably know what cottage cheese is.
After all, those Daisy Cottage Cheese commercials are everywhere.
If you missed them, though, let’s talk about what cottage cheese is.
Also called ‘curds and whey,’ cottage cheese is cheese made from skim milk and rennin. (A particular enzyme that causes clumping.)
It has a light, unassuming taste and is a fresh cheese with cream added for flavor. There are several varieties, including:
- Flavored
- Unflavored
- Sodium-free
- Whipped
- Lactose-free
- Creamed
- Small curds
- Large curds
- With added fruit
- Reduced fat
- Reduced sodium
- Etc.
The list goes on and on. You can eat it by itself, mixed with other things, or use it as an ingredient.
It also works as a substitute for things like ricotta and mayo.
20 Best Cottage Cheese Substitutes
Now, let’s check out the 20 best cottage cheese substitutes. Some of them might surprise you.
1. Ricotta Cheese
I said above that cottage cheese is a good ricotta substitute.
However, the reverse is also true. You can use ricotta to replace cottage cheese.
You can swap out these two ingredients measure for measure.
The consistency, texture, and even taste are remarkably alike. (Because they’re made using similar processes.)
The good news is that ricotta is even more nutritious than cottage cheese. So, this one is a pretty healthy swap.
2. Fromage Blanc
Fromage blanc is another excellent alternative to cottage cheese.
(If you can get your hands on the real thing, that is. The Americanized version isn’t as good.)
This white cheese has a sweet and tangy flavor, very similar to cottage cheese.
You can use it cup-for-cup for cottage cheese in baked goods and other desserts.
Some people also use it in savory dishes, though I prefer it in sweet treats. It also works well in dips!
3. Greek Yogurt
Consider Greek yogurt if you need a one-to-one swap for dips and sauces.
The texture isn’t the same as cottage cheese, but the taste is spot-on.
Plus, I feel like dips and sauces benefit more from Greek yogurt’s smooth consistency.
You can also use it in your baked goods. However, its moisture content is higher than cottage cheese.
So, you might have to cut down on other liquid ingredients to make this work.
Greek yogurt is also a low-calorie, high-protein substitute. If you’re swapping for health reasons, that’s something to consider.
4. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan is one of the cottage cheese substitutes that probably surprises you.
After all, could two kinds of cheese be more different?
Believe it or not, they have a lot in common, at least nutritionally speaking.
They’re both high-protein, high-calcium cheeses.
They also have a somewhat similar taste, though their textures are wildly different.
Use parmesan in your savory dishes or whenever cottage cheese is used as a topping.
The ratio is a little trickier to figure out, unfortunately. My advice? Add a little at a time until it tastes right to you.
5. Egg White
Substituting egg whites for cottage cheese in recipes isn’t the best option.
However, egg whites make a good swap if you often eat cottage cheese for breakfast.
They’re nutritious and lactose-free, plus, they taste great!
Substitute them at a one-to-one ratio on top of your morning toast for something lighter.
6. Mascarpone
I love using mascarpone as a substitute because you can use it in anything.
Whether you’re making sweet or savory dishes, mascarpone works for cottage cheese.
It’s a little richer and creamier. However, adding a dash of lemon juice will give it some tart tanginess.
Once you’ve added the lemon, you can use it cup-for-cup for cottage cheese.
7. Kefir
Looking for a healthy cottage cheese replacement for dips or spreads? Try kefir.
Its texture is smoother than cottage cheese, much like yogurt.
It also has a higher moisture content than cottage cheese.
Still, in terms of taste, it’s a great option. It’s also nutritious and an easy one-to-one swap.
If you don’t mind the extra liquid, you can use it as a topping.
8. Whipped Heavy Cream
Whipped heavy cream is nowhere near as tangy as cottage cheese.
It’s sweeter, lighter, and much airier. So, why even list it as a potential substitute for cottage cheese?
Because it works great in dessert recipes!
It won’t give you the exact taste you’re looking for from cottage cheese.
In a pinch, though, it’ll work and taste divine. (Just different.)
9. Tofu
Tofu is another one-to-one replacement for cottage cheese. It’s especially great if you want a non-dairy, lactose-free substitute.
Like cottage cheese, it’s high in protein and nutritious.
Its taste is mild and unassuming, and its texture is surprisingly cottage cheese-like.
It works best in spreads, pasta dishes, and savory recipes.
10. Goat’s Cheese
The nutritional profile of goat cheese is similar to that of cottage cheese.
It also has a soft texture and a slightly tangy cottage cheese taste.
Goat cheese is crumbly, but that isn’t a huge problem. In most recipes, you can swap it out at a one-to-one ratio for cottage cheese.
It works best in pasta and pizza recipes, savory dishes, and as a topping.
Surprisingly, you can even use it in your baked goods.
However, you might want to use slightly less, as its tanginess is stronger than cottage cheese.
11. Feta Cheese
In terms of texture, feta is an excellent replacement for cottage cheese.
However, its taste is tangier and zingier than cottage cheese’s mild flavor.
It works best in savory recipes and dips. However, some people add it to their desserts if they want to give them a slight kick.
Feta is also saltier than cottage cheese. Keep that in mind when adding it to recipes.
You might want to start with half as much as the recipe requires. You also may need to lessen any salt it calls for, too.
12. Faisselle Cheese
Faisselle cheese isn’t something that most people have on hand.
That alone means it’s not the most convenient substitute for cottage cheese.
If you do have some, though, it works beautifully!
You can use it in savory and sweet recipes, as well as in dips, spreads, and toppings.
It’s thick and creamy and swaps out at a one-to-one ratio.
13. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese has a similar mild but tangy flavor as cottage cheese. Unfortunately, the texture isn’t going to be the same.
Still, if the taste is more important than texture, you can use cream cheese in a pinch.
It works exceptionally well in spreads, dips, and other similar recipes.
You can use it in a one-to-one ratio for these recipes.
However, it doesn’t work as well in sweet treats (except for cheesecake, of course).
14. Hummus
Hummus isn’t my favorite cottage cheese substitute. Unfortunately, sometimes you’re mid-recipe and have no other option.
In this case, only use hummus in herby spreads or flavorful pasta dishes.
Also, be sure you’re using plain hummus (not flavored). Substitute it at a one-to-one ratio.
15. Chickpea Puree
Hummus is made from chickpeas, so chickpea puree will also work in a pinch.
Follow the guidelines for hummus above when using chickpea puree as a replacement.
16. Red or White Bean Puree
We’ve already talked about hummus and chickpea puree.
Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that red or white bean puree would also work.
It’s a thick, nutritious replacement, but the taste isn’t exactly the same.
As with hummus, herb spreads and pasta are about the only recipes where these will work.
The ratio is hard to determine. Some say one-to-one, but I think the taste is overpowering.
So, start slowly and add more until you get the taste and texture you want.
17. Almond Milk
Are you looking for a low-calorie, low-fat cottage cheese replacement?
You might want to try almond milk. It’s not as thick, creamy, or textured as cottage cheese.
However, it does have a similar mild, though nutty, flavor.
Of course, you can’t use it as a stand-alone or topping substitute. (It’s far too runny for that.)
However, it works pretty well in recipes, especially sweet ones.
Use it cup-for-cup for cottage cheese. However, cut back on the other liquid ingredients in your recipes.
18. Sour Cream
Sour cream works well in dips, spreads, and other similar recipes.
You can use it at a one-to-one ratio for cottage cheese. However, keep in mind that it’ll be much tangier.
It’ll also have a smoother, creamier consistency and much more moisture.
19. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella isn’t my favorite cottage cheese substitute.
The taste is mild but not the same as cottage cheese, and their textures are vastly different.
However, if you’re in a bind and working with Italian recipes, it’ll work.
Substitute it measure-for-measure, but stick to your Italian recipes. It doesn’t work well in other ones.
20. Poultry, Lean Meats, and Fish
This last one sounds crazy, I know. And no. I’m not telling you to use poultry instead of cottage cheese in your strawberry fluff.
But if you’re consuming plain cottage cheese for protein, consider making this switch.
Instead of toast and cottage cheese, have a bagel and lox.
Instead of cottage cheese and berries in a salad, have a chicken Caesar.
You get plenty of protein and a lot more flavor options.