Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast

Ever since cottage cheese got the spotlight it deserved, the internet has been finding all sorts of creative ways to turn it into the star of every high-protein recipe. This Viral Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast sounds like something a gym bro cooked up after leg day, but hear us out…it actually slaps! Imagine that irresistible taste of pizza, but in a lighter protein-packed format with under 300 calories per serving? Ready in just 15-minutes this cottage cheese pizza remix will undoubtedly become a weeknight staple. It’s a high-protein hack that makes you feel like you’re indulging in pizza, while low-key hitting your macros. This one’s a no brainer!

What stands out

If you love pizza (like, who doesn’t), you will be obsessed with this Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast recipe. This pizza-hack has the (culinary) holy 3 C’s – creamy, cheesy and crispy. The cottage cheese melts slightly, giving off lasagna vibes, while the pepperoni and toast crisp up perfectly for that golden crunch in every bite. Because we’re using cottage cheese instead of mozzarella, you don’t get that heavy dairy taste. Instead, you get a light, balanced macro-friendly snack with all those pizza-esque flavors you’re craving, minus the grease or richness. This Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast is suited to weeknight dinners, post-workout bites, or anytime you want pizza without the pizza hangover.

Cottage Cheese: This creamy, high-protein cheese gives you all the mozzarella dupe vibes AND helps you hit your macros! We're over cottage cheese that’s full of additives, so we started making our own! You can find our Homemade Cottage Cheese recipe here.

Sourdough: This fermented bread has a crispy crust and chewy center, plus gut-health benefits that make it easier to digest.

Pizza sauce: We like to use Rao’s pizza sauce for this quick and straightforward snack.

Italian seasoning: A pinch of Italian seasoning takes this viral recipe from bland to bussin.

Pepperoni or Italian salami: Spicy pepperoni or savory salami? You can’t go wrong with this one! Both add tons of flavor and give this pizza toast a hearty texture.

Kitchen tip

Use whipped cottage cheese or blend it for a smoother, meltier texture that spreads like sauce and gives that gooey, cheesy vibe.

How To Make Cottage Cheese

Tired of grainy, watery store-bought cottage cheese? Yeah, us too. That’s why we decided to start making our own. If you want the full tutorial, check out our Homemade Cottage Cheese recipe here. In the meantime, here’s a quick little breakdown of the steps:

• Heat milk to 180°F (82.2°C) in a large pot. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar. Stir for about 30 seconds until you begin seeing curds start to form.
• Let this sit for 30 minutes. Then, pour the mixture into a cheesecloth lined strainer or mesh sieve over a large bowl. Let this drain for another 30 minutes.
• Rinse the curds under cold water if you want milder and firmer cottage cheese. Skip the rinse if you want creamier and tangier cottage cheese.
• Stir in salt to taste, as well as optional cream or yogurt.

Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast Variations and Substitutions

1. Switch up the flavor profiles with different variations so you never get bored! Think Margherita or prosciutto and pineapple – don’t come at us!
2. Make this vegetarian by omitting any meat and adding your favorite veggies instead! Mushrooms, olives, spinach, and sun dried tomatores are all good additions!
3. Gluten-free? Sub the sourdough for your favorite gluten-free alternative.
4. Add fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano for a hint of brightness.
5. Swap cottage cheese for a plant-based alternative to make this recipe vegan.

Serve it with

• A simple salad like our Authentic Greek SaladHealthy Coleslaw or Simple Green Salad.
• Some roasted or air-fried veggies to keep things balanced.
• A nice bowl of soup like our Gazpacho or Creamy Tomato Soup to keep those tomato flavors strong, or some good old fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup.
• Sparking water or iced tea to keep things crisp and light!

Ingredients

Makes 1 toast

• 1 slice sourdough bread
• 1-2 tablespoons pizza sauce, I love Rao’s
• ¼ cup cottage cheese
• 1 pinch Italian seasoning
• 3 slices pepperoni or Italian salami, optional

Equipment

• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Nakiri Knife

Method

1. On a piece of good sourdough, spread the pizza sauce followed by the cottage cheese and Italian seasoning.
2. Feel free to add pepperoni or Italian salami on top.
3. Air-fry at 400F for 10 minutes or until crispy. Top with hot honey, chili flakes, or hot pepper oil.

Kitchen notes

• Smooth it out: Blend or whip cottage cheese for a melty, sauce-like texture.
• DIY upgrade: Make your own cottage cheese for creamier, fresher flavor (check out our recipe!). Check out our tutorial here.
• Switch it up: Try different combos like Margherita, veggie-loaded, or even pineapple + prosciutto.
• Diet-friendly: Make it vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan with easy swaps.
• Boost flavor: Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano for extra pop.

Questions

Is cottage cheese a good substitute for MOZZARELLA?

Yes! Both are soft, creamy cheeses so you still get that wonderful flavor and melty texture. Bonus: cottage cheese is loaded with protein, which is suited to hitting those macros!

Can we add other toppings to this toast?

Absolutely! The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, making it straightforward to adapt to whatever ingredients you have on hand!

What kind of bread works best for Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast?

This recipe calls for sourdough, but you can also use whole grain bread and even thick cut Texas toast for a ‘deep dish’ version.

Can we make this Vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute cottage cheese for your favorite plant-based alternative. Just keep in mind that the nutritional value will change. So if getting more protein is one of your goals, you’ll have to find an alternative with similar macros.

Can we prep this recipe ahead of time?

This recipe is best enjoyed right away – you wouldn’t want soggy pizza toast! You can, however, prep all your ingredients ahead of time and assemble and toast when you’re ready to eat.