Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
This Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is not only a delightful twist on the classic egg salad, but it also brings a healthier, low-fat option to your table. Creamy and tangy, this dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. It’s also fantastic as a satisfying snack that will keep you energized throughout the day. The use of cottage cheese adds a unique flavor and texture while boosting the protein content, making it a great choice for health-conscious eaters.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy Twist: This salad uses cottage cheese instead of heavy mayonnaise, making it lower in fat while still creamy.
- Quick Preparation: With just 16 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this dish in no time.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it on its own, with crackers, or as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
- Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of scallions and red pepper flakes adds a delicious kick to each bite.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make it ahead of time for easy lunches or snacks throughout the week.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the recipe, gather your tools for an effortless cooking experience.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Small pot
- Mixing bowl
- Fork
- Strainer
Importance of Each Tool
- Small pot: Ideal for boiling eggs to perfection without overcrowding.
- Mixing bowl: Perfect size for combining all ingredients and ensuring even mixing.
- Fork: Useful for mashing the dressing mixture to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Strainer: Essential for cooling boiled eggs quickly and effectively.
Ingredients
This cottage cheese egg salad is a healthier, low-fat version of classic egg salad. It’s creamy, tangy, delicious and simple to make. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or brunch or as a satisfying snack.
Ingredients:
– ⅔ cup cottage cheese
– 6 large eggs
– 5-6 tablespoons scallions/spring onion (finely chopped)
– 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
– 1½ teaspoons Dijon-style mustard (or to taste)
– ⅓ teaspoon fine sea salt (and black pepper to taste)
– ⅓ teaspoon red pepper flakes
How to Make Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Step 1: Boil Eggs
Place the eggs in a small pot, add water then cover and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and leave the eggs in the pot for 7-8 minutes (do not remove the lid). TIP: This is how I like to cook hard-boiled eggs, but you can use another method if preferred.
Step 2: Cool Eggs
Strain then immerse the eggs in very cold water (add ice cubes if possible) for about 2 minutes. After about 30 seconds add more ice cubes or change the water to make sure it stays cold. Drain off the water then wipe and peel the eggs.
Step 3: Chop Eggs
Cut each egg in half lengthwise, remove the egg yolks from 4 eggs and place them in a shallow bowl. Finely chop the 2 remaining whole eggs and egg whites. Set aside.
Step 4: Make Dressing Mixture
Combine the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of the cottage cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard. Mash with a fork until the mixture is thick and creamy (it doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth).
Step 5: Assemble
To a mixing bowl add the chopped eggs, remaining cottage cheese, scallions, creamy dressing, salt and pepper, and most of the pepper flakes. Stir until thoroughly combined and adjust seasoning as needed. Sprinkle the remaining pepper flakes on top. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving if possible.
How to Serve Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
This Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is versatile and can be served in many delightful ways. Whether you prefer it on bread, with fresh veggies, or as part of a larger meal, there are plenty of options to enjoy this healthy dish.
On Toast
- Whole grain bread: Spread the salad on toasted whole grain bread for a nutritious breakfast.
- Avocado toast: Top your avocado toast with a generous scoop of egg salad for added protein.
In Lettuce Wraps
- Romaine leaves: Use large romaine leaves as wraps for a fresh and crunchy alternative.
- Butter lettuce: Butter lettuce adds a soft texture that pairs well with the creamy egg salad.
As a Dip
- Crackers: Serve the egg salad as a dip with whole grain crackers for a satisfying snack.
- Veggie sticks: Pair it with carrot and celery sticks for a healthy appetizer option.
With Salads
- Green salad: Add spoonfuls of the egg salad on top of your favorite green salad for an extra protein boost.
- Pasta salad: Mix it into pasta salad for a creamy twist that’s filling and delicious.
Stuffed Avocados
- Halved avocados: Scoop out some flesh from halved avocados and fill them with the cottage cheese egg salad for a hearty dish that’s also visually appealing.
How to Perfect Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
To ensure your Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad turns out perfectly every time, follow these helpful tips.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh scallions and high-quality cottage cheese enhance flavor and texture.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and mustard to suit your palate; everyone’s taste is different!
- Chill before serving: Allowing the salad to chill in the fridge will help meld flavors together beautifully.
- Experiment with add-ins: Consider adding diced bell peppers or herbs like dill for additional flavor profiles.
- Control the creaminess: Adjust the amount of mayonnaise based on how creamy you want your egg salad to be; less mayo makes it lighter.
- Serve immediately or store properly: If not serving right away, store it in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness.
Best Side Dishes for Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Pairing side dishes with your Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad can elevate your meal. Here are some great options to consider.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits adds sweetness and freshness that complements the savory egg salad.
- Vegetable Crudités: Crisp vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers provide crunch and color on your plate.
- Potato Chips: Crunchy potato chips add texture; opt for baked varieties for a healthier choice.
- Quinoa Salad: A light quinoa salad with lemon dressing offers a nutritious side packed with protein.
- Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw provides crunch and acidity, balancing the creaminess of the egg salad.
- Pickles or Olives: Tangy pickles or olives add brininess that enhances flavor contrast on your plate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing your Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad, it’s easy to make some common mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Using old eggs: Fresh eggs yield better results and a creamier texture. Always use the freshest eggs available for the best flavor.
- Overcooking the eggs: This can lead to a rubbery texture. Follow the boiling instructions carefully for perfectly cooked eggs.
- Skipping seasoning: A lack of seasoning can make your salad bland. Don’t forget to taste and adjust salt, pepper, and spices to enhance flavor.
- Not chilling before serving: Serving immediately can make it less flavorful. Allow your salad to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before enjoying it.
- Ignoring mix-in options: Missing out on adding additional ingredients like herbs or veggies can limit flavors. Experiment with different mix-ins for a unique twist.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Keep in the main compartment, not the door, for better temperature stability.
Freezing Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Not recommended, as freezing may change the texture of cottage cheese and eggs.
- If necessary, freeze for up to 1 month in a sealed container but expect a change in consistency upon thawing.
Reheating Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and heat covered for about 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat in short intervals (15-20 seconds), stirring between each until warm.
- Stovetop: Warm gently over low heat while stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad.
Can I use low-fat cottage cheese?
Yes, using low-fat cottage cheese is a great way to reduce calories while still enjoying creamy texture and flavor.
How do I customize my Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad?
Feel free to add diced celery, bell peppers, or herbs like dill or parsley to enhance flavor and texture.
What dishes pair well with this salad?
This salad pairs wonderfully with whole-grain bread or crackers, making it perfect for sandwiches or as a dip.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! The Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad stores well in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prep throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
The Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is a deliciously versatile dish that works perfectly for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even as a snack. Its creamy texture and tangy flavor will appeal to everyone! Feel free to customize it with your favorite mix-ins or spices for an even more delightful experience. Give it a try today!
Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Simple Cottage Cheese Egg Salad is a refreshing and nutritious twist on the traditional egg salad. By swapping out heavy mayonnaise for creamy cottage cheese, this dish becomes a healthier option without sacrificing flavor. Packed with high-quality protein and a delightful combination of scallions and spices, it’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or as an energizing snack. Enjoy it on toast, in lettuce wraps, or as a dip with your favorite veggies. This versatile salad is not only quick to prepare but also makes for excellent meal prep throughout the week.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup cottage cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 5–6 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ⅓ teaspoon fine sea salt (to taste)
- ⅓ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Boil the eggs: Place eggs in a small pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let them sit covered for 7-8 minutes.
- Cool the eggs: Strain and place in ice-cold water for about 2 minutes before peeling.
- Chop eggs: Halve the eggs lengthwise; discard yolks from 4 eggs. Finely chop remaining whole eggs and egg whites.
- Make dressing: Mash yolks with cottage cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard until creamy.
- Assemble salad: In a bowl, combine chopped eggs, remaining cottage cheese, scallions, dressing mixture, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling/Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 370mg
