Healthy High Protein Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Buttery, fluffy, and perfectly creamy, these cottage cheese mashed potatoes are an amazing healthy side dish that's easy to make and even easier to eat. It's prepped in 10 minutes with simple, wholesome ingredients, and trust me when I say this, you'll want to serve these mashed potatoes with anything and everything!

My Take on Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Cottage cheese might be the last thing you'd think to add to mashed potatoes, but the results definitely speak for themselves! These cottage cheese mashed potatoes are so creamy, so buttery, and so smooth you'll wonder why you've never made them this way before.

They're healthier and lighter than traditional mashed potatoes that are made with cream or whole milk, but they still deliver the same richness and maybe an even better flavor than "classic" ones.

Not to mention, they're super easy to make and come together with just a handful of staple ingredients. These mashed potatoes are ready in only 4 simple steps so they're the perfect dish for those busy weeknights when you don't feel like slaving away in the kitchen.

You simply have to try them!

Joe Tip (like "pro tip" but better)

These creamy mashed potatoes are amazing as is, but you can also do a few variations to switch them up.

For example, you can blend some roasted garlic cloves with the cottage cheese to make the most incredible garlic mashed potatoes. Or, make cheesy mashed potatoes by stirring in some shredded cheese while the mashed potatoes are piping hot.

Ingredients

Besides cottage cheese, this recipe is made with all of the usual mashed potato fixings, so you more than likely have most - if not all - of the ingredients on hand already!

Here's everything you'll need to make it:

• 2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 ¼ tsp. sea salt
• ½ cup cottage cheese
• 2 tbsps. salted butter
• ¼ cup 2% milk
• ¼ tsp. ground pepper
• 1 tbsps. chives, chopped

Pretty basic stuff, right?!

By the way, you can use any extra potatoes left over from this recipe to make this sautéed potatoesside dish. It's another instant classic that the whole family is sure to love!

How to Make Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are one of the easiest side dishes you can make, and these cottage cheese mashed potatoes are no exception.

Simply cook your potatoes, mash 'em to your liking, and blend the cottage cheese and milk before combining everything together.

All told, this recipe is done in about 30 minutes, and it requires just 10 minutes of actual hands-on time. Not bad, eh?

Step One: Cook Potatoes

First, add the potatoes to a large pot and fill with water until the potatoes are covered.

Add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.

Step Two: Blend Cottage Cheese

While waiting for the potatoes to finish cooking, you can get started on the cottage cheese mixture.

Add the milk and cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and well combined, pausing to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula if needed.

Step Three: Mash Potatoes

Once the potatoes are ready, drain them and return them to the pot.

Add the salted butter and use a potato masher or hand mixer to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.

Step Four: Combine & Season

To the pot of mashed potatoes, pour in the pureed cottage cheese and add the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper. Mix until the mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, and seasonings are well combined.

Then, plate up your mashed potatoes and garnish with fresh chives and extra butter if desired. Serve and enjoy!

How to Store And Reheat These Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes

This recipe makes enough for 3-4 servings when served as a side dish. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

These cottage cheese mashed potatoes also store well in the freezer. Simply store them in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

As far as reheating them goes, the best way to reheat them is on the stove. Just add the mashed potatoes to a pot with a tablespoon of unsalted butter and a splash of 2% milk or almond milk. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until the mashed potatoes are warmed through.

Alternatively, you can heat them up in the microwave. This method is a lot quicker, though the texture won't be quite as good. To do that, place your mashed potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat in 30-second increments, stirring between increments to evenly distribute the heat.

If the reheated mashed potatoes are too dry, you can stir in some melted butter and a little bit of warm milk at the end.

FAQs About This Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe

What are the best potatoes to use?

I highly recommend Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe, as they have a rich and naturally buttery texture that's perfect for mashed potatoes. That said, Russet potatoes and Idaho potatoes would work really well here, too.

Final Thoughts

Well, that's how you make the best cottage cheese mashed potatoes!

I may be biased, but I think even the biggest cottage cheese haters will fall in love with these mashed potatoes. The cottage cheese is virtually undetectable and makes the mash super velvety, rich, and flavorful. 

Anyway, I hope you like this recipe as much as my family and I have been!

As always, if you try it, be sure to leave a comment below if you make it and tell me what you think.

More Side Dish Recipes

If you liked this healthy cottage cheese mashed potatoes, I've definitely got some more side dishes for you to try next.

Here are some family favorites:

• La Scala chopped salad
• Air fryer baked sweet potatoes
• Roasted butternut squash
• Roasted kohlrabi
• Sauteed shiitake mushrooms
• Southern deviled eggs