High-Protein Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or preparing a quick weeknight dinner, these high-protein cottage cheese mashed potatoes are sure to impress. This dish shines with its simplicity, and the optional step of blending cottage cheese with salt and pepper is the secret to its exceptional flavor. With fluffy mashed potatoes combined with milk, butter, creamy cottage cheese, and minced garlic, these potatoes are elevated to the next level of deliciousness.
Why These Mashed Potatoes Stand Out
What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make while still delivering fantastic results. The key is blending cottage cheese with a touch of salt and pepper, which adds a creamy richness and depth of flavor. The combination of fluffy potatoes, milk, butter, and minced garlic creates a side dish that’s both comforting and impressive
Cottage Cheese Recipe: The Star Ingredient
Cottage cheese is the standout ingredient in this recipe. It’s one of my personal favorites because it adds a luscious texture and a protein boost to the mashed potatoes. Plus, it provides a creamy, sour cream-like flavor with fewer calories, making these mashed potatoes a healthier yet indulgent option here is ingredient for how to make cottage cheese
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these high-protein cottage cheese mashed potatoes is simple with just a few key ingredients. Here’s what you need:
- Potatoes
- Type: For the fluffiest and creamiest mash, use floury or all-purpose potatoes.
- Varieties:
- Australia: Sebago or washed white potatoes are ideal.
- America: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are perfect for a great mash.
- Cottage Cheese
- Why It’s Essential: Cottage cheese is the secret ingredient that enhances these mashed potatoes. It adds a boost of protein, creaminess, and a rich depth of flavor.
- Milk
- Type: Any milk you have will work well.
- Options:
- Cow’s Milk: I used low-fat cow’s milk, but whole milk can be used for extra richness.
- Plant-Based: Almond milk or soy milk are excellent alternatives if you prefer dairy-free options.
- Butter
- Type: Unsalted butter is best for controlling the salt content.
- Purpose: Butter enriches the texture, making the mashed potatoes even more luxurious and creamy.
- Garlic
- Why It’s a Must: Fresh garlic is crucial for adding a robust, savory flavor that elevates the mashed potatoes.
- Salt + Pepper
- Type: Freshly ground salt and pepper are essential for enhancing the flavors.
- Role: These seasonings bring out the best in the other ingredients, making every bite irresistible.
To Serve
- Garnish: Finish your mashed potatoes with a sprinkle of chopped chives or parsley for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Extra Butter: Add a pat of extra butter on top for an extra layer of indulgence.
How to make cottage cheese mashed potatoes
Prepare Potatoes: Peel and cut potatoes into quarters
Boil: Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with water and 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Cooking Instructions for High-Protein Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
- Cook the Potatoes
- Set your heat to medium and cook the potatoes until they are fork-tender, which should take about 15-20 minutes. This ensures they are soft enough for easy mashing.
- Optional Step: Blend the Cottage Cheese
- For an ultra-smooth texture, blend the cottage cheese in a food processor until it’s completely smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the processor as needed to ensure a consistent texture.
- Drain the Potatoes
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them well and then transfer them back into the pot. This will help them stay warm while you add the remaining ingredients.
- Mash the Potatoes
- Add the butter, blended cottage cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to the potatoes. Use an electric mixer to mash the potatoes on high until smooth and creamy. If you prefer your mashed potatoes with a bit more texture, you can use a classic potato masher instead
Garnish: Top with an extra dollop of butter, fresh chives, and enjoy immediately
Substitutions and Additions:
- Use different milk: I like to use regular milk, but feel free to use low-fat cream or half and half for extra creaminess. For an even richer flavour, use full-fat cream or heavy whipping cream.
- Roasted garlic: Try roasting a bulb of garlic and mixing it into the mashed potatoes to make deliciously rich garlic mashed potatoes.
- Use different potatoes: You could also make this recipe with sweet potatoes or a mix of both.
Toppings: Toppings are optional, but I like to serve my mashed potatoes with an extra tablespoon of butter. Also, I sprinkle dried parsley leaves when I want to add more texture and flavours. Freshly cut chives are a great option too!
Tips + tricks:
- Don’t over-mash the potatoes: Mash the potatoes just until there are no large chunks left.
- Adjust the amount of milk: If you want your mashed potatoes less thick, add more milk.
- Season as you go: It’s best to add salt when tasting the mashed potatoes instead of adding more at the beginning.
How to Store
These mashed potatoes with cottage cheese are at their best when enjoyed fresh. However, if you need to store them:
To Store: Let the mashed potatoes cool down, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: You can warm them up in the microwave or on the stovetop. If they seem a bit dry, just stir in a bit more butter to bring back their creamy texture.
Recipe FAQ
What are the best potatoes for mashed potatoes?
For the fluffiest, most creamy mashed potatoes, use floury or all-purpose varieties. Sebago, Russet, and Yukon Gold are all excellent choices.
How many potatoes should I use?
I typically use about two potatoes per person. If you’re planning for larger portions or feeding a big crowd, add an extra half potato per person. Do I need to whip the cottage cheese first?
Whipping the cottage cheese is optional. If you prefer a super creamy texture, blending it beforehand is a great idea. But if you don’t mind a bit of texture from the cottage cheese, you can skip this step.
Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Course: Healthy Recipe, Recipe, sidesCuisine: American6
servings1
minute20
minutes30
kcalBoil
These high protein cottage cheese mashed potatoes are creamy, flavourful and have a luscious texture. They are the perfect side dish for the holidays or busy weeknights
Ingredients
1.5kg (3.3 lb) potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup cottage cheese
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup milk of choice
Salt + pepper, to taste
Fresh chives, to garnish
Directions
- Add the potatoes to a large pot and cover with water and 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Turn the heat to medium and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Optional: Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor until it’s completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, strain them and transfer them back into the pot.
- Add the butter, cottage cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and garlic to the potatoes. Use an electric mixer to mash the potatoes on high until smooth. If you prefer your mashed potatoes a bit chunkier, feel free to use a classic potato masher instead.
- Top with an extra dollop of butter, fresh chives, and enjoy immediately.
- Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per serveCalories: 264 caloriesFat: 5.1gCarbohydrates: 50.5gFiber: 5.5gProtein: 9.6g
Notes
- Potatoes: Floury and all-rounder potatoes work best; use washed white potatoes or dirty Sebago, Russet, or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Cottage Cheese: Blend for a creamy texture or leave as is for a little texture.
- Milk: Feel free to add more milk until the potatoes have reached the desired consistency.
- To store: allow the mashed potatoes to cool before placing them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat: warm in the microwave or on the stovetop, and add more butter if needed.
