Cottage Cheese And Salsa Spread
This creamy cottage cheese and salsa spread offers a delightful combination of tangy, spicy, and fresh flavors. Perfect as an appetizer or party dip, it pairs well with crackers or chips and is suitable for those seeking a light, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that can be customized with fresh toppings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) package fresh goat cheese ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1 small green pepper ⓘ
- 2 cups peeled, chopped, fresh or canned whole tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 to 2 minced jalapeno peppers ⓘ
- chopped fresh tomatoes (optional) ⓘ
- chopped green peppers (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Crumble the goat cheese coarsely and stir into the cottage cheese. The mixture should be slightly lumpy.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan.
- Add minced garlic, chopped onion, and chopped green pepper to the oil.
- Saute until the onion becomes translucent, being careful not to brown.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes.
- Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add minced jalapeno pepper.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Refrigerate, covered, if keeping overnight.
- Pile the cheese mixture onto a plate.
- Drizzle salsa around to create a red pool around the cheese.
- Surround with additional chopped fresh tomatoes and green peppers if desired.
- Serve with crackers or chips.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, blend the cottage cheese and goat cheese until smooth instead of keeping it lumpy. You can substitute the fresh goat cheese with feta or cream cheese if needed. Adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of jalapeno peppers, or omit them entirely for a milder flavor. This spread is excellent as a dip paired with crackers or chips, and is a great addition to any Mexican recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cottage cheese and salsa spread as a delightful appetizer at your next gathering. Pair it with fresh tortilla chips or crackers for a crunchy contrast. This spread also complements a fresh green salad or can be enjoyed alongside dishes like Beefy-Tortilla Pie or Seven Layer Dip for a festive meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, gently warm the salsa mixture in a saucepan over low heat until just heated through, being careful not to overcook. The cheese mixture can be served cold, so simply give it a good stir before serving again.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cottage Cheese And Salsa Spread contains roughly 258 calories, with 17g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (84% of the Daily Value) and protein (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 506mg per serving (22% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this spread ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cheese mixture and salsa a day in advance. Just store them separately in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just remember to assemble it right before serving for the best presentation.
What can I use instead of goat cheese?
If goat cheese is not available, you can use feta cheese or cream cheese as a substitute. Both will give a different flavor profile but will still work well with the cottage cheese and salsa combination.
Is this spread suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this cottage cheese and salsa spread is vegetarian-friendly. It contains no meat products, making it a great option for those following vegetarian recipes. Just ensure that any additional toppings or sides you serve with it are also vegetarian.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).