This post is sponsored by Breakstone’s. Find their creamy cottage cheese and smooth sour cream at a retailer near you.
Need an easy and cheesy dip to share with friends for the big game or the Olympics? I’ve got you covered with this Cottage Cheese Pizza Dip! Now if you’re thinking, “why the heck is there cottage cheese in this party dip?” hear me out. Breakstone’s cottage cheese just works in this recipe because it helps create an ultra creamy base for the pizza sauce and cheese that is perfectly balanced alongside the cream cheese. If you used all cream cheese it would be way too thick and not very dippable as it starts to cool. Plus, the extra protein boost never hurts! 💪🏻
serve it with:
Easy Garlic Toast
Slice a loaf of Italian bread, brush one side with butter, season with garlic salt and Italian Seasoning. Bake at 400°F for 9-10 minutes.
Cottage Cheese FTW
Cottage cheese may be having a multi-year moment right now, but I’ve loved it for many more years as an easy and versatile way to hit my protein goals. Breakstone’s is made with high quality dairy and is the perfect choice for all your cottage cheese creations – yes, even game day dips! As for the protein content, their 4% milk fat version boasts 12 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Cottage Cheese Pizza Dip:
- Breakstone’s cottage cheese – 2% or 4% will work well, but I went with 4% for this recipe for a creamier texture.
- Cream cheese – I went with a lower fat variety here but the full fat version will make it more creamy if you prefer it.
- Mozzarella cheese – I went with a part-skim mozzarella in block form and grated it myself for maximum meltiness. The pre-shredded stuff will work too. A mix of shredded mozzarella and provolone would be super delicious if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds flavor complexity to the dip to make it more exciting. A Parmigiano Reggiano or even Pecorino Romano would be great too if you like something a little more funky.
- Pizza sauce – Go with your favorite brand! You could also use marinara, but I prefer the pizza sauce since it tends to be thicker and more flavorful.
- Pepperoni – Mini pepperonis are ideal for dipping, but you could also chop up larger pepperoni. Skip it or swap it for another topping if you prefer!
- Italian seasoning – I recently started making my own “house” Italian seasoning, but store bought will work as well.
tips to make it
Dip-tastic
Don’t go crazy with the mozzarella on top: Yes it’s pretty, yes we all want to see that cheese in our faces. But, creating too much of a cheese crust on top will make it harder to dip and pull (especially as it cools). Instead, use just enough mozzarella on top to cover the sauce – the rest should be mixed in with the cottage cheese on the bottom. It’ll still be melty and delicious, just easier to dip!
Too much GBD is a bad thing: While golden brown delicious (GBD), toasty cheese on top of this dip is the most gorgeous way to serve it, I actually recommend restraining yourself on the browning for the best dipping experience. Browning the cheese with a longer broil time actually makes the cheese crispy on top and harder to break through for dipping.
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Cottage Cheese Pizza Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup Breakstone's 4% Milkfat Cottage Cheese, (234 grams)
- 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided, (120 grams)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, (8 grams)
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce, (180 grams)
- 1 oz mini pepperoni
- 1/2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Optional: fresh chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
- Add cottage cheese, cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt to a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Remove the cottage cheese mixture to a large bowl and fold in 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and all of the parmesan cheese. Spread mixture evenly in the bottom of a 8-9" skillet or pie dish.
- Top the cottage cheese mixture with pizza sauce, then the remaining mozzarella cheese, and finally the mini pepperoni. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until all cheese on top is melted. Turn the oven to broil for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese just begins to get golden brown, being careful not to over brown or burn.
- If desired, top with fresh chopped parsley or basil, then serve immediately with garlic bread, crackers, or veggies.
Tips & Tricks
Nutrition Information
