Three-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Queso
Three-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Queso is made with cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and salsa for a delicious, tangy, cheesy dip.
When I was a teenager, one of my friends introduced me to Velveeta. The brick of processed cheese was something my mom never bought, so I wasn’t familiar with its salty, melty ways.
Specifically, this friend introduced me to melted Velveeta mixed with salsa, served with tortilla chips. It was a snack we occasionally made at this friend’s house, and it has stuck with me through the years, becoming a sort of comfort snack. The problem is that, like my mom, I never buy Velveeta, so even though I have fond memories of the tangy cheese dip, I never really make it anymore.
That is, until recently, when I came across people using cottage cheese to make queso on social media. The recipe in question was a little different as it used chili powder instead of salsa to flavor the cheesy dip. However, I was intrigued and wondered if I could use cottage cheese to revive the snack from my teen years. It turns out, I can. The flavor wasn’t identical, but it was similar enough in flavor and texture that it certainly satisfied a craving.
So if you’re also a fan of warm cheese dip with a hint of spice, this Three-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Queso may just satisfy your craving, too.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Queso
To make this Cottage Cheese Queso, you will need to start by pureeing your cottage cheese. Do NOT skip this step, unless you like chunky queso – cottage cheese curds don’t melt.
I have successfully used both a mini food processor and an immersion blender to accomplish this task. If you’re making a double or triple recipe, you could also use a full-size food processor.
Next, shred some cheddar cheese – a box grater is the best tool for this job. Add the cheddar to the cottage cheese and blend the two together.
Transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe bowl (if it’s not in one already), and stir in the salsa. Heat the mixture on high for one minute. Stir the mixture and test the temperature. If it’s not quite warm enough, heat it for 30 more seconds, and stir/test again.
Warming is Optional
Note that the heating step is optional, and this dip can certainly be served cold. However, I think it’s much better warm. If you don’t have/want to use a microwave, you can warm it in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Cottage Cheese Queso Ingredients
Making this nostalgic cheesy dip takes only three ingredients – all of which are easy to find in the most basic grocery store. You might even have all of them in your kitchen right now!
Cottage Cheese – Note that while any type of cottage cheese will work here, saltier cottage cheese will result in the best flavor. If you’re not sure how salty a particular brand of cottage cheese will be, you can use the label to help you decide.
Look for a brand that has a higher sodium content (make sure to check that the portion sizes are the same so that you’re comparing apples to apples). I tried this recipe with two different brands – the one that tasted most similar to the Velveeta concoction of my memories had 430mg of sodium per 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. The other brand had only 300mg per half cup, and is the brand of cottage cheese that I would normally use for lower-sodium applications like baking. This version was notably bland.
Cheddar Cheese – I recommend using a block of cheese and grating it yourself for the best melting (pre-shredded cheese often contains starch-based anti-caking agents that can result in poor melting and/or gritty texture). I also suggest using sharp cheddar for the best flavor, and cheddar that is orange vs. white for better color.
Tomato-Based Salsa – You certainly don’t need anything gourmet here. Even the cheapest store brand of regular Tex-Mex-style tomato-based salsa will work. I do recommend medium or hot vs. mild for a spicier flavor, but that’s optional of course.
As a bonus ingredient (because it’s not actually required in the recipe, but for serving), you’ll need something to dip into your queso. I recommend tortilla chips.
Want more cottage cheese recipes?
Cottage Cheese Queso Nutrition Notes
The nutrition information in the recipe is for ¼ of the recipe. It does not include what you might be eating with the dip, like tortilla chips.
This recipe is gluten-free as written.
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend 1 cup cottage cheese and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese together until smooth in a mini food processor (or use an immersion blender or blender).
- Transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe bowl and stir in ¼ cup tomato-based salsa. Heat the mixture on high heat in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir and check the temperature. If it's not quite warm enough yet, heat for an additional 30 seconds. Serve hot with tortilla chips.
Nutrition
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