Does Cottage Cheese Melt? Here's What You Should Know

Few things are dreamier than ooey-gooey cheese on or in anything, from queso to perfectly melty omelets to nachos to the ultimate grilled cheese. But you may be looking to try making a healthier version of any of these recipes or others. Cottage cheese is a game-changer in these cases because it's high-protein and low-fat, but still delicious, with a fresh and subtly tangy flavor. But considering its curd-packed texture, does cottage cheese actually melt like a cheddar or mozzarella, or any other cheese you might be looking to replace with it?

No, cottage cheese doesn't exactly melt, at least not the way you're used to. But its consistency will change when heated. It will get softer and creamier, so while not ooey-gooey, it will make things like casseroles and homemade pizza rich and satisfying. The reason for this is how cottage cheese is made, which is by curdling milk until healthful casein proteins separate from the milk, then cutting those solidified curds and cooking them until more moisture is released that can be removed.

Cottage cheese retains a lot of moisture, and when it's heated, that evaporates, which separates the curds rather than binding them in a melting process. There's a lower fat content, too, and fat is another aid in melting. Cottage cheese also doesn't have emulsifiers, something that ensures a smooth texture — and easy melt — in processed cheeses.

The fact that cottage cheese won't entirely melt does require a bit of compromise. Your finished recipes will be higher in protein and lower in fat, but won't exactly have you beating any cheese-pull records. Cottage cheese still promises craveable flavor and creamy consistency. And there are so many recipes where cottage cheese can provide this healthy, tasty swap, from that queso to lasagna to enchiladas. To get great results, make sure you pick up one of the best cottage cheese brands, and have a sense for how cottage cheese will react to different cooking methods.

You can make cottage cheese soft and creamy on the stove, further enhancing richness with olive oil. Keep stirring it until it reaches the texture you want. Whisking, in fact, is key whenever you want to soften and blend cottage cheese, as it can at least help break the curds down. When making anything with cottage cheese in the oven, keep in mind that temperatures too high and cook times too long will dry it out, so use it in recipes that don't require lengthy, hot bakes, or add it in later in the bake. You can also microwave cottage cheese at half power, stirring every 10 seconds, or even blend it in a food processor to break down the curds. If you want to go healthier but miss the gooey-ness, try halving a recipe's called-for cheese between cottage cheese and a meltier option.