Cottage Cheese Smoothie

This raspberry cottage cheese smoothie is a refreshing breakfast or post-workout shake. It is naturally rich in protein, luxuriously creamy and super healthy. Ready in 3 minutes and only 5 ingredients!

I am always looking to add more protein to my diet and have found a new best friend - cottage cheese!

We like it on bread with sweet and savoury toppings and I have been making whipped cottage cheese, which is a deliciously simple dip.

But the best news is that I have discovered how perfect blended cottage cheese is in smoothies. It adds an incredible creamy texture and it has a wonderfully fresh, slightly tangy flavour, similar to Greek yogurt.

We have been making this raspberry smoothie several times this week. My kids have been asking for it every morning!

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Variations
• Recipe FAQs
• Cottage Cheese 101
• Serving Suggestion
• Storage
• More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
• Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

Nutritious. This recipe should really be called a cottage cheese protein shake. It contains almost 14 grams of protein per portion! In my opinion, this is a great natural option for protein powder. Add the vitamins from the fruit, and you've got yourself a nutritious and healthy drink that will set you up for the day.

Easy. There are just 5 ingredients in the recipe, and all of them are fridge or pantry staples. Also, it takes minutes to whip up this drink and there are limitless ways to adjust it to your own preferences. It is impossible to mess it up.

Ingredients

Cottage cheese - Use full-fat cottage cheese - it tastes mild, with a hint of saltiness. The low-fat versions are noticeably sour.

Frozen raspberries - Frozen fruit make the drink refreshingly cold. It is possible to use fresh raspberries instead if you also throw in a few ice cubes.

Banana - This adds sweetness to the recipe. Choose a very ripe banana. It should have plenty of brown spots on the skin. If you don't like bananas, substitute this with a sweetener of your choice. I am listing ideas in the "Sweetness" section further down.

Almond milk - This is my go-to milk. Of course, any milk is fine to use. Or, just use water.

Vanilla extract - Adds a lovely warm note to the drink and mellows out the tartness of the raspberries.

Equipment Needed

I used my Vitamix, which makes smoothies incredibly smooth. High-speed blenders like Vitamix or Ninja will always yield a creamier result, but you can use any blender to make a smoothie like this.

Instructions

It is very simple to make a cottage cheese smoothie. I'm sure you can guess what the steps are!

Scroll down to the recipe card for ingredient amounts and nutritional information.

Step 1

Put all ingredients into a blender, adding the milk first, the cottage cheese and vanilla second and the fruit last. I also like to chop the banana to speed up the mixing process.

Step 2

Blend until smooth. If necessary, scrape down the sides and continue blending until everything is fully incorporated and the smoothie is a bright, uniform pink.

Expert Tip

When making smoothies, always add the liquids and the wet stuff first. This helps to move the other ingredients around the blade, and nothing gets stuck on top.

Adding hard and dry ingredients to the blender first can create a vacuum around the blade. This means nothing gets mixed and the machine runs hot.

Variations

Sweetness

This shake tastes fresh and fruity rather than sweet. If you prefer a sweeter drink, use an entire banana rather than just half.

You can also add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup.

To increase sweetness without adding any further carbs, add a powdered sweetener. Allulose is a good option because it dissolves just like sugar.

Add-Ins

This smoothie with cottage cheese can be the starting point for countless variations.

I often add a tablespoon of almond butter to increase the fat content. Or, use ¼ avocado.

To up the fiber content and make the recipe spoonable, add a tablespoon of flaxseed or chia seeds. Voilà, you've got yourself a smoothie bowl!

For an extra protein boost, feel free to add a scoop of your favourite protein powder.

I have also tested adding a handful of spinach. Whilst this does not change the taste, it does change the colour to a muddy brown. My tip? Serve in a cup rather than a glass.

Recipe FAQs

Cottage Cheese 101

Below I am answering common questions about this delicious ingredient.

What is cottage cheese?

It is a soft, white, fresh cheese. It is not ripened or aged to change its flavour. It is made from the curds of cow's milk.

Is cottage cheese good for weight loss and health?

Yes. It is low in calories and nutritious at the same time. It is high in protein and low in carbs. Over 70% of the calories in the cheese come from protein. This means it can help you gain muscle mass. Read more about the health benefits of cottage cheese.

Can I use cottage cheese instead of yogurt in a smoothie?

Yes, you can! Since it is firmer than yogurt, you may need to add a little more milk to loosen the smoothie.

Serving Suggestion

This is a light yet satisfying breakfast drink. If you prefer a more substantial meal in the morning, pair the smoothie with a serving of perfect scrambled eggs or one of these coconut flour banana muffins.

Or, double up on the protein with this cottage cheese omelette!

Storage

Smoothies always taste best when you drink them straight away. And, since making them so quick, there is no real need to prepare them ahead.

However, storing this smoothie in the fridge for up to 1 day is possible. I recommend covering it with clingfilm (see image above). I press the clingfilm directly onto the drink so there are no air bubbles. This way, the smoothie does not oxidise or change colour. Stir it before serving in case it separates.

More Healthy Smoothie Recipes

Here are more healthy smoothie recipes that we love:

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