As temperatures drop and comfort meals start creeping into our daily cravings, I can’t help but turn to soups that not only warm the body but satisfy the soul. Cottage cheese is one of my go-to secret ingredients for soups because it amps up the protein content and lends a creamy texture without having to rely solely on heavy creams.
Over the years, I’ve tried hundreds of soup recipes, but these 10 stand out—each with their distinct flavors, seasonal ingredients, and a shared element of surprise.
From vibrant greens to autumnal squashes, these recipes will soon become staples in your kitchen. Let’s dive into a world where cottage cheese meets soup-making magic.
1. Creamy Zucchini Cottage Cheese Soup
Zucchini has always had a special place in my heart, especially during the summer when they are in abundance at the local farmers’ market. This soup captures the essence of summer with its vibrant green color and fresh aroma.
I stumbled upon this recipe one lazy afternoon while staring at a pile of zucchini and a tub of cottage cheese that needed to be used up. Little did I know it would become one of my favorite summer soups.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchinis, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon miso paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until onions are translucent.
- Stir in zucchini and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add vegetable broth and miso paste, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add cottage cheese, and blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Stir in basil, salt, and pepper to taste before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The high protein content keeps you full longer, and you can enjoy it guilt-free thanks to its vegetarian and gluten-free benefits. It’s perfect for those breezy summer dinners when you crave something light yet satisfying.
2. High Protein Tomato Soup with Cottage Cheese
Tomato soups have been a go-to comfort food since I was a kid, but this version takes it up a notch with cottage cheese. As someone who often veers towards healthier, protein-packed options, this recipe was a game-changer.
My kitchen always has canned tomatoes tucked away for those moments of nostalgia that only tomato soup can satisfy.
Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes (with juice)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic over medium heat until softened.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes, oregano, basil, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add cottage cheese and blend the soup until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving hot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is easy to make and great paired with grilled cheese or toasted bread. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and adds a rich source of protein to your meal.
3. Spinach and Cottage Cheese Soup
Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrition, and incorporating it into soups brings out a delightful earthiness. Growing up in a household that loved spinach in any form, I learned to appreciate its versatility, especially when paired with cottage cheese to boost texture and creaminess.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh spinach
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup cream (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in a large pot over medium heat until fragrant.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Pour in vegetable broth and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add cottage cheese and nutmeg, then blend until smooth.
- Stir in cream, if desired, and season with salt and pepper before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Full of nutrients and incredibly easy to make, this soup is not only nutrient-dense but packed with the unique benefits of spinach, making it a delicious choice for health-conscious individuals.
4. Roasted Butternut Squash and Cottage Cheese Soup
There’s something about butternut squash that screams comfort. During fall, this golden soup becomes a staple around my house. Roasting the squash first really enhances its natural sweetness, creating a symphony of flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup coconut milk (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Olive oil for roasting
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes until tender.
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add roasted squash and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Blend soup with cottage cheese until smooth.
- Stir in coconut milk and cumin, adjust seasoning, and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s an autumn staple that’s comforting, high in protein, and has those beautiful fall flavors you’ll crave year-round.
5. Broccoli and Cottage Cheese Soup
Broccoli soup has been a childhood comfort, and adding cottage cheese increases its texture and protein content. Broccoli takes on such a lovely flavor when cooked with lemon, which brightens this creamy dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 heads of broccoli, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in a large pot until soft.
- Add broccoli and cook for a few minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then simmer until broccoli is tender.
- Blend with cottage cheese until smooth.
- Stir in lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is healthy, easy to prepare, and the lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness to the classic broccoli flavor.
6. Cottage Cheese and Asparagus Soup
I look forward to spring not only for the beautiful blossoms but also for the sweet taste of asparagus. This soup is light and perfect for ushering in warmer days, paired with the delightful taste of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add asparagus and cook until bright green.
- Pour in vegetable broth and simmer until asparagus is tender.
- Blend soup with cottage cheese until smooth.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and season before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for spring. The hint of Parmesan brings out the freshness of asparagus beautifully.
7. Carrot and Ginger Cottage Cheese Soup
Carrot and ginger are a match made in heaven when it comes to soups. The gentle spice from the ginger complements the sweetness of the carrots, making this dish both warming and invigorating.
Ingredients:
- 6 large carrots, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup coconut milk (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger in a pot until fragrant.
- Add carrots and cook for a few minutes.
- Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Blend with cottage cheese until smooth.
- Stir in coconut milk, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Spicy, comforting, and rich with nutrients, this soup not only delights the palate but also warms you up on a cool day.
8. Cauliflower and Cottage Cheese Soup
When it comes to low-carb options that don’t skimp on flavor, this cauliflower soup is a winner. Inspired by an old family recipe, it’s become a weeknight staple that remains delicious and guilt-free.
Ingredients:
- 1 large cauliflower, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in a large pot.
- Add cauliflower and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer until cauliflower is tender.
- Blend with cottage cheese until smooth.
- Stir in nutmeg, season, and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s low-carb, high in protein, and straightforward to make, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy meal without fuss.
9. Mushroom and Cottage Cheese Soup
Mushrooms are earthy and rich, bringing out the umami flavors in this comforting soup. Perfect for a chilly evening, this dish uses thyme for an aromatic experience.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms until golden brown.
- Add thyme and vegetable broth. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Blend with cottage cheese until smooth.
- Adjust seasoning and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Earthy and comforting, this soup is perfect for a cold day, enveloping you in warmth with every spoonful.
10. Pumpkin and Cottage Cheese Soup
Pumpkin isn’t just for pies and lattes; it’s glorious in soups too. This recipe is a seasonal delight I look forward to each fall, with cumin adding a delightful depth of flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 small pumpkin, peeled and chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until softened.
- Add pumpkin and cook briefly before adding vegetable broth.
- Simmer until pumpkin is tender.
- Blend with cottage cheese until creamy.
- Stir in cumin, season, and serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s seasonal, high in protein, and comforting, bringing a sense of nostalgia with each rich spoonful.
Final Thoughts
These recipes showcase the wonderful variety and versatility that cottage cheese can bring to soups. Whether it’s a chilly autumn night or a bright spring day, there’s a soup here for every occasion.
I encourage you to try these recipes and even experiment with your own favorite ingredients. Share your adaptations and inspire others—let’s create a community of cottage cheese soup enthusiasts!
