Cottage Cheese Queso

Cinco De Mayo is RIGHT around the corner, and how can you enjoy any of your favorite Mexican recipes without a bowl of hot, creamy queso?

I am constantly looking for ways to sneak in as much protein as I can, so why not make my queso high-protein? The easiest way to do that is to make a queso recipe, but add in cottage cheese!

It’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor—without the heaviness of traditional queso. Plus, my recipe for cottage cheese queso has over 9 grams of protein PER serving and 2.8g of net carbs.

I love to pair it with crispy chips like the ones from our keto pepperoni chips recipe for even MORE protein! It also makes the perfect topping for dishes like my low-carb taco pie or even drizzled over a hearty bowl of low-carb chili.

Trust me - you want this queso recipe in your weekly meal prep!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & easy – ready in just 10 minutes
• Low carb & keto-friendly
• High in protein thanks to cottage cheese
• Super creamy without needing flour or thickeners
• Perfect for dipping or topping

Ingredients For High-Protein Cottage Cheese Queso

Here’s what you’ll need to create this yummy keto queso recipe.

• Cottage cheese - you'll need to buy full-fat cottage cheese. You can use either small or large curds, but I found that small curds make the dip much smoother when blending!
• Cheddar cheese - Buy the block and shred the cheese yourself! For a tangier taste, use sharp cheddar cheese, but it's up to your preference.
• Cream cheese
• Taco seasoning - Use our homemade taco blend!
• Water
• Butter
• Green chilis - If you want to give the queso a spicier kick, swap these out for diced jalapeños.

How To Make Cottage Cheese Queso

Follow these simple steps to make the best homemade queso recipe!

STEP ONE: Add the cottage cheese, cream cheese, and taco seasoning to a blender. Blend for 30–60 seconds until smooth and creamy.

Tip - If the mixture is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water to help it blend.

What To Serve With Queso

This cottage cheese queso is versatile and high in protein. It goes well with so many other meals and recipes on our site.

You can make a homemade Chipotle bowl with beef barbacoa and cilantro lime cauliflower rice. Add some of your favorite toppings and drizzle some of the queso right over the top! Or serve it on the side with some air fryer tortilla chips.

I also love to mix the queso with some shredded chicken to make a filling for my chicken enchiladas, topped with red enchilada sauce. Don't forget the avocados and pico de gallo!

How To Store and Reheat Leftovers

You can store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days. It will thicken up. So before you go to reheat it, add a splash of water and give it a stir.

I found it best to reheat the queso on the stove or in the microwave. Just make sure to do it in 30-second increments in the microwave and give it a stir each time so that the queso doesn't burn or pop all over your microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some Q+A's I wanted to share with you all!

What's the best cottage cheese brand?

I personally am a huge fan of Good Culture cottage cheese! I love their whole milk, full-fat cottage cheese for this recipe. It's super creamy and high in protein. It has 14g of protein per serving!

Can I taste the cottage cheese?

Not at all! Once blended and melted, it becomes smooth and creamy with no curds and a delicious cheesy flavor.

Can I make the queso spicier?

Absolutely! Add jalapeños, hot sauce, or extra green chiles to turn up the heat.

Do I have to use cheddar cheese?

Not at all. You can use any kind of cheese you like! I personally love a sharp cheddar or even a pepper jack cheese to give it a different flavor.