Easy Loaded Cottage Cheese Salad
Loaded Cottage Cheese Salad
This loaded cottage cheese salad is creamy, savory, and packed with texture. Fluffy cottage cheese mixes with crispy bacon, sweet peas, sharp cheddar, and fresh green onions. Just like the photo, it's piled high in a bowl and endlessly scoopable. High protein, no cooking, endlessly snackable.
Why You'll Love This
Creamy, crunchy, savory, and fresh in every bite, just like the photo.
Anti-inflammatory add-ins: peas, green onions, and olive oil.
A whopping amount of protein per serving.
No cooking. Ready in 10 minutes.
Perfect as a dip, a side, or a light lunch.
Anti-Inflammatory & Mediterranean Recipes
Easy Loaded Cottage Cheese Salad
- Prep10 min
- Cook0 minutes (5 if cooking bacon)
- Servings6 servings
- Calories290 kcal
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the bacon until crisp if not using pre-cooked bits. Drain on paper towels and crumble.
- Thaw the peas under cold running water. Drain well.
- Add the cottage cheese to a large bowl. Stir in the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Fold in the peas, cheddar, green onions, and half the bacon.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with the remaining bacon, extra cheddar, peas, and green onions.
- Serve right away, or chill 30 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Notes & Tips
- Use full-fat cottage cheese. It makes the salad rich and creamy instead of watery.
- Drain the peas well. Extra water thins the whole bowl.
- Crisp the bacon properly. Chewy bacon disappears into the mix.
- Chill 30 minutes before serving. Everything firms up and the flavors blend.
- Save toppings for the end. They keep the top looking fresh and pretty.
- Nutrition: Per serving (estimate):
- Nutrition: Net Carbohydrates: 8g
- Nutrition: These are estimates and will vary with exact ingredients and portion sizes.
- Fridge: store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving. Some liquid may separate — that's normal.
- Do not freeze. Cottage cheese turns grainy when thawed.
- Meal prep: portion into small containers for high-protein snacks.
- The Secret to Cottage Cheese Salad That Isn't Watery
- The secret is full-fat cottage cheese and dry add-ins. Low-fat cottage cheese releases more whey, which pools at the bottom and turns the salad soupy. Full-fat stays thick and creamy. Then drain everything else: thawed peas, cooked bacon, even the green onions patted dry. Every dry ingredient keeps the bowl thick, scoopable, and rich instead of watery.
Variations & serving ideas
- No bacon: use turkey bacon, or smoked paprika for a vegetarian smoky note.
- Different cheese: swap cheddar for feta or pepper jack.
- Extra veg: add diced cucumber, bell pepper, or cherry tomatoes.
- Lighter: use low-fat cottage cheese and turkey bacon.
- Dairy-free: this one is hard to replicate — it's all about the cottage cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · makes 6 servings
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 290 kcal |
| Total fat | 18 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 10 g |
| Fibre | 2 g |
| Protein | 24 g |
Nutrition values are approximate and vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I blend the cottage cheese smooth first?
Yes. Blending makes it silky like a dip. Keep it chunky for a salad texture, or blend half for a mix of creamy and chunky.
Is cottage cheese salad healthy?
Yes. It's very high in protein, which keeps you full, and the peas and green onions add fiber and nutrients. Watch the sodium if that's a concern — bacon and cheddar both add salt.
What do I serve with loaded cottage cheese salad?
Crackers, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or toasted pita for scooping. It also works as a sandwich filling or spooned over a baked potato.
More questions about this recipe
How long does it take to make Easy Loaded Cottage Cheese Salad?
10 minutes of prep.
What ingredients do I need for Easy Loaded Cottage Cheese Salad?
The key ingredients include bacon, cottage cheese, sharp cheddar, frozen peas, green onions and garlic powder. The recipe card lists every ingredient with exact amounts.
How should I store leftovers?
Fridge: store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
How do you make Easy Loaded Cottage Cheese Salad?
In short: cook the bacon until crisp if not using pre-cooked bits; thaw the peas under cold running water; add the cottage cheese to a large bowl; fold in the peas, cheddar, green onions, and half the bacon. The full method is in the recipe card above.
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