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    Home > Recipe Index > Drinks > Healthy Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie (that tastes like a milkshake!)

    Healthy Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie (that tastes like a milkshake!)

    Published: Jul 22, 2019 · Modified: Jan 12, 2022 by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you haven’t ever tried a cottage cheese smoothie, get ready to have your mind blown. TRUST ME. The cottage cheese provides a super creamy and luxurious texture, not to mention loads of protein, resulting in a smoothie that tastes far more like an indulgent treat than a healthy snack. 

    Close-up side view of a strawberry cottage cheese smoothie in a glass with a straw

    Cottage cheese protein smoothie (ditch the chalky powders!)

    I often whip up smoothies as healthy snacks or breakfasts, but if I don’t add some sort of protein, we’re all starving an hour later. I don’t like protein powders, which I find universally chalky and/or overly sweet, and my kids aren’t big fans of nut butters (oh, the travesty!). I decided to experiment with cottage cheese in our smoothies, and wahoo!! (That’s my excited voice.) The cottage cheese gives the smoothies a huge protein boost, and, better yet, it creates a milkshake-like texture. Talk about a win-win! These strawberry smoothies are hands-down my kids’ favorite new “treat.”  (Read: healthy snack, but don’t tell.)

    Overhead shot of kids' hands grabbing two strawberry cottage cheese smoothies

    What kind of cottage cheese should I use in smoothies?

    You can either use a plain cottage cheese (such as Hood Country Style Cottage Cheese), or one that’s fruit-flavored. In this version I go for Hood Cottage Cheese with Strawberry to double up on the strawberry flavor (it’s also one of Juni’s favorite snacks on its own). As you might know by now, I consider cottage cheese a refrigerator staple, and I’m so happy to have partnered with Hood Cottage Cheese on this post (don't miss these other two cottage cheese favorites: one-pan vegetarian breakfast strata and easy ratatouille toasts!).

    Cottage cheese smoothie ingredients arranged on counter

    How do I make a cottage cheese smoothie?

    This version is made with just a few ingredients, which all get blitzed up right in the blender: 

    • Milk of choice
    • Banana
    • Hood Cottage Cheese with Strawberry
    • Frozen strawberries
    • Vanilla extract

    Since I use Hood Cottage Cheese with Strawberry I don’t have to add any additional sweeteners (!!), but if you use a plain cottage cheese, you can sweeten the smoothie to taste with honey or with a scoop of strawberry jam. 

    Process shot for making strawberry cottage cheese smoothies in the blender, divided into two frames.
    Strawberry smoothie being poured from the blender into a serving glass

    Make it into a milkshake

    You can serve the smoothie just as it is, but to take it over the top I like to dress it up with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of crumbled freeze-dried strawberries (the kind you buy in bags at the store). It’s a seriously delicious snack that will make you feel like a kid at an ice cream parlor. Which is pretty much my idea of heaven.

    Close-up of whipped cream and crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top of cottage cheese smoothie

    Tips for making smoothies:

    • When adding ingredients to the blender, it’s best to add the liquid first. The liquid will help the other ingredients to circulate around the blade. 
    • I’m in love with my Vitamix, which allows me to make thick smoothies and smoothie bowls, but any blender will work for this smoothie. If the smoothie is too thick to move around the blade, scrape the sides and add a touch more milk. 
    • Hood Cottage Cheese with Strawberry provides an extra boost of strawberry flavor and sweetness in this smoothie, but if you use a plain cottage cheese, sweeten the smoothie to taste using honey or strawberry jam.
    • For other smoothie ideas, don’t miss these superfood smoothie bowls and these Blueberry Spinach Smoothie Bowls.

    Thank you to Hood Cottage Cheese for sponsoring this post! I was compensated for this post, but all opinions and recipes are mine alone. Thank you to all of the companies who keep From Scratch Fast cooking!

    Child drinking strawberry smoothie from a glass with a straw

    Other smoothie recipes you might like:

    • Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowls
    • Low Sugar Green Smoothie
    • Superfood Smoothie Bowls
    • Blueberry Spinach Smoothie Bowls

    Other cottage cheese recipes to try:

    • Whipped Cottage Cheese Veggie Dip
    • Healthy Summer Tartines
    • Vegetarian Breakfast Strata
    • Roasted Ratatouille Toasts

    Watch the video!

    Get the recipe!

    Hands holding strawberry cottage cheese smoothie topped with whipped cream, with strawberries on the side
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Healthy Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

    This healthy, high protein smoothie ditches chalky protein powders for cottage cheese! The cottage cheese provides an unbelievably creamy texture that tastes like a milkshake. I use Hood Cottage Cheese with Strawberry to double up on the strawberry flavor, but you could use a plain cottage cheese instead. If so, sweeten the smoothie to taste using honey or strawberry jam. To take these smoothies over the top, dollop them with unsweetened whipped cream and crumble a few freeze-dried strawberries over top.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cottage cheese smoothie, healthy smoothie recipe, high protein smoothie recipe
    Servings: 2 smoothies
    Author: Nicki Sizemore

    Equipment

    • blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup milk of choice
    • ½ medium banana
    • 1 cup Hood Cottage Cheese with Strawberry
    • 2 cups frozen strawberries
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Combine all of the ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Feel free to splash in some more milk if desired (I like it thick!).

    Notes

    • When adding ingredients to the blender, it’s best to add the liquid first. The liquid will help the other ingredients to circulate around the blade.
    • If you use a plain cottage cheese, sweeten the smoothie to taste using honey or strawberry jam.
    • I use a Vitamix to make this smoothie, but any blender will work! If the smoothie is too thick to move around the blade, scrape the sides and add a splash more milk.

    I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!

    *This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!

    More Drinks

    • Low Sugar Simple Green Smoothie (that actually tastes delicious!)
    • Healthy Hot Chocolate with Cacao Powder
    • Superfood Berry Smoothie Bowl (The Ultimate Breakfast or Snack!)
    • Post to test new categories

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle Henley says

      October 21, 2022 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      I love this receipe! I’ve made it 3 times this week! I used vanilla almond milk and a whole banana but other than that I kept it the same! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        October 21, 2022 at 3:55 pm

        This makes me so happy to hear!!

        Reply
    2. Jennifer says

      September 03, 2022 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      This is great! I didn’t have strawberry cottage cheese, but had a strawberry yogurt cup. I mixed it with regular cottage cheese, added the bananas and frozen strawberries. My toddler loves it and so do I!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        September 03, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        Hi Jennifer, I’m so glad to hear! I love your hack of adding strawberry yogurt to the plain cottage cheese. 🙌😊

        Reply
    3. Cynthia says

      February 25, 2022 at 8:29 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Nicki,
      I will try this recipe but with coconut yoghurt instead of cottage cheese. I also will try your low sugar free smoothie as I have to restrict sugar and can only eat 2 servings of fruits per day as I have candida, crytococcus and leaky gut.

      Many thanks 😊

      Kind regards,

      Cynthia

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        February 27, 2022 at 8:13 am

        Hi Cynthia, let me know how it turns out! The green smoothie is also a great choice for low-sugar diets. In fact, I often make it without banana, using stevia to sweeten. Take care!!

        Reply
    4. Melanie says

      January 19, 2022 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      I bought strawberry cottage cheese on a whim. After tasting it I realized I wouldn't be able to eat it alone & I didn't want to waste it either. I came across this recipe & so glad I did! Now I've used this recipe several times trying different combos of other fruit flavored cottage cheese & fruits. Also, I make mine with almond milk which makes it a bit healthier. Delicious!!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        January 20, 2022 at 1:54 pm

        Hi Melanie, thank you for your comment, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the smoothie! Great tip about using almond milk and different fruit flavors. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Jav says

      October 15, 2021 at 8:39 am

      Hi! This sounds delicious. Can it be refrigerated over night?

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        October 15, 2021 at 8:45 am

        Thank you! The smoothie will melt in the refrigerator so won't be as thick, but it will still taste good (stir it well before drinking). Let me know if you give it a try!

        Reply
    6. Walt Dittrich says

      June 08, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      4 stars
      I love the idea, but like others have stated, I'm worried about the calorie count and if this is really healthy... Guess I'll have to do the math! 🤷🏻‍♂️

      Reply
    7. Kaylee says

      March 10, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      I didn’t try it yet, but by your reviews, I’m guessing it is good!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        March 10, 2021 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks so much, Kaylee, and I hope you enjoy!!

        Reply
    8. Rebecca says

      June 08, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      This is the best tasting smoothie ever!!!!
      Thank you soooooo much

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        June 09, 2020 at 8:10 am

        Hi Rebeccca, I'm so happy you like the smoothie!!

        Reply
    9. Jessica says

      February 22, 2020 at 8:49 pm

      Love this! Can you please estimate the calories per serving? I guessed 100 but am unsure. Very tasty.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        February 26, 2020 at 10:38 am

        Hi Jessica, I'm so glad you liked the smoothie!! I don't do calorie counts as a policy but I believe there are several tools online that you can use if you want to estimate!

        Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Nicki Sizemore, a trained chef, recipe developer and cookbook author. My mission is to help you make wholesome & delicious food from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen. All of my recipes are naturally gluten-free.

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