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This recipe with cottage cheese gives the classic oatmeal bowl a high-protein twist, and I’ll show you how to make it fast on the stove and in the microwave!
Cottage Cheese Protein Oatmeal
I love adding extra protein to our family breakfast to keep bellies full for hours, as I do in these vanilla protein powder pancakes. But sometimes, I crave a nice hearty bowl of oatmeal. On those days, I up the protein by making a delicious bowl of cottage cheese oatmeal!
It’s just as easy to make as traditional oatmeal, and it turns out delicious and creamy. Of course, you can add your favorite toppings and make this breakfast absolutely epic.
Since cottage cheese has a mild flavor, your breakfast won’t taste cheesy. I’ve been using it for cottage cheese & oatmeal pancakes and you won’t even notice it’s there!
How Much Protein Is in One Serving
One serving of cottage cheese oatmeal made with water contains about 15 grams of protein, three times more than a regular bowl of oatmeal. If you make this recipe with milk, it will be even higher in protein!
Ingredients
The ingredients measurements are crucial to get a perfect oatmeal texture, and you’ll find them on the printable recipe card below. But first, check what you’ll use and the possible swaps:
- Old-fashioned oats: my favorites for this recipe, but instant/quick oats also work (and reduce the cooking time).
- Liquid: water or milk.
- Cinnamon: I like to add it for flavor, but it’s optional!
- Salt: just a pinch for a tastier oatmeal.
- Cottage cheese: use your favorite!
How to Make Cottage Cheese Oatmeal
With the following steps, you’ll have an epic cottage cheese oatmeal for breakfast in no time! Check how I make this recipe on the stove and keep reading to learn the quicker microwave method:
- Combine
In the smallest saucepan you have, combine oats, water or milk, cinnamon, and salt. - Cook
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Once it simmers, cook for 5 minutes on low. If using quick/instant oats, the cooking time will be reduced to 2-3 minutes. - Add the cottage cheese
Stir to incorporate the cottage cheese into the oatmeal. Heat it through for about 1 minute. If the oatmeal is too thick, add a little water. - Serve
Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Making Cottage Cheese Oatmeal in the Microwave
Make this recipe even faster in the microwave! Simply combine all the ingredients -except the cheese- in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 90 seconds to 2 minutes (or just 1 minute for instant oats), stirring halfway through to prevent oatmeal from bubbling over. Add the cottage cheese, stir, and enjoy!
Best Ways to Top Cottage Cheese Oatmeal
Oatmeal toppings are a terrific opportunity to add more flavor and nutrition, so I love topping my cottage cheese oatmeal with fresh fruit, berries, chopped nuts, seeds, peanut butter, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, or honey. Delish!
Other Incredible Recipes Using Cottage Cheese
Once you start using cottage cheese in your meals, you’ll never look back! Stick with the oatmeal theme but prep ahead by making cottage cheese overnight oats. I also use it for fluffy cottage cheese pancakes, these mouthwatering banana pancakes with cottage cheese, my favorite savory cottage cheese bowls and these delicious banana cottage cheese muffins.
Want to add it to your dinners? You will love this cottage cheese sauce for chicken and this incredible cottage cheese Alfredo.
High Protein Cottage Cheese Oatmeal
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup water or milk
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
- Pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup cottage cheese
Instructions
In the microwave:
- Add the oats, water or milk, cinnamon, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, stopping to stir the oatmeal halfway through cooking to prevent it from bubbling over. If using instant oats, the cooking time will be about 1 minute.
- Add the cottage cheese to the bowl and stir to incorporate it into the oatmeal.
Stovetop:
- Add the oats, water or milk, cinnamon, and salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Use the smallest saucepan you have or double the recipe and save leftovers. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and once it simmers, reduce the heat to low.
- Cook for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the desired consistency is reached. Add the cottage cheese and stir to incorporate it into the oatmeal and heat it through for about 1 minute. Turn off the heat. If the oatmeal is too thick for your liking, add 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup of water.
Serve:
- Serve the oats in a bowl, topped with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Using milk to make oatmeal with cottage cheese instead of water will yield a thicker oatmeal. I recommend adding additional liquid to thin out the oatmeal to the texture you like after cooking.
- Using instant/quick oats reduce the cooking time to 2 to 3 minutes on the stove and 1 minute in the microwave.
Heather says
Love this cottage cheese oatmeal to add some extra protein into my day!
Sara says
fantastic recipe would make again!
Linda says
Delish! I’m using cottage cheese more and more, so I’m eager to try all your new recipes. This oatmeal was perfect!