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Cottage cheese queso in a white bowl with a tortilla chip scooping the smooth dip, flecks of tomato and green chile throughout
Alex

Cottage Cheese Queso

Smooth cottage cheese queso in the microwave: blended cottage cheese, cheddar and Rotel, ready in about 8 minutes. About 118 calories and 8.8g protein per serving.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 118
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup full-fat (4%) cottage cheese about 8 oz
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese about 4 oz; shred from a block for the smoothest melt
  • 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles 10 oz, drained; or 1/2 cup jarred salsa
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin optional
  • chopped cilantro or jalapeño optional, for topping

Method
 

  1. Blend the cottage cheese in a blender or mini chopper for 30 to 60 seconds, until completely smooth with no curds.
  2. Scrape it into a microwave-safe bowl and stir in the shredded cheddar (and the cumin, if using).
  3. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir well. Repeat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until the cheddar is fully melted and the dip is smooth, about 2 minutes total.
  4. Stir in the drained Rotel and microwave 20 to 30 seconds more to warm it through.
  5. Top with cilantro or jalapeño if you like, and serve warm with tortilla chips or vegetables.

Notes

  • Too thick: stir in 1 to 2 tbsp milk and warm for 15 seconds.
  • Grainy: the cottage cheese needs more blending, or the heat was too high. Use short bursts.
  • Stovetop: warm the blended cottage cheese over low heat, melt in the cheddar a handful at a time, then add the Rotel.
  • Storage: airtight in the fridge up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk in short bursts. Not freezer friendly.
  • Nutrition is per serving (6 servings, about 1/3 cup), calculated from USDA FoodData Central (FDC 172179, 328637, 170053) with the Rotel drained. Chips not included.