High-Protein Ground Beef Cottage Cheese Queso Dip

This creamy Ground Beef & Cottage Cheese Queso Dip combines seasoned browned beef, tangy cottage cheese, melted cheddar, and green chiles into a rich,

Equipment

• Large skillet — Browns the beef and finishes the queso in one convenient pan.
• Blender or food processor — Turns cottage cheese into a smooth, creamy base.
• Wooden spoon or spatula — Breaks the ground beef into evenly sized crumbles.
• Measuring cups and spoons — Keeps the dairy and seasonings properly balanced.
• Serving bowl or heat-safe skillet — Keeps the queso warm while serving.

Ingredients

Ground Beef Queso

• 1 lb (454 g) 90–93% lean ground beef
• 1½ cups (340 g) low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 cup (113 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened milk , plus more if needed
• 1 can (4 oz/113 g) diced green chiles , drained
• ½ cup (120 g) salsa , preferably low-sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt , or to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil — only if needed for very lean beef

Optional Garnishes

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 sliced jalapeño
• 2 tablespoons diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Blend the cottage cheese — 1–2 minutes

1. Add the cottage cheese and milk to a blender or food processor.
2. Blend on medium-high speed for 30–60 seconds , scraping down the sides once if necessary.
3. Texture cue: The mixture should look smooth and creamy with no obvious cottage cheese curds.

2. Brown the ground beef — 6–7 minutes

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat .
2. Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes , breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula.
3. Continue until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink.
4. Drain excess grease if necessary.
5. High-protein tip: Using 90–93% lean beef provides plenty of protein while reducing excess fat.

3. Add the seasonings — 30 seconds

1. Reduce the heat to medium .
2. Add chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
3. Stir for approximately 30 seconds until the beef is evenly coated and fragrant.

4. Add the green chiles and salsa — 2 minutes

1. Stir in the drained green chiles and salsa.
2. Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes , stirring occasionally.
3. The mixture should become hot and aromatic without becoming dry.

5. Add the blended cottage cheese — 2–3 minutes

1. Reduce the heat to low .
2. Slowly pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the skillet while stirring continuously.
3. Keep stirring for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes hot and creamy.
4. Important: Avoid boiling the mixture because excessive heat can make the dairy sauce grainy.

6. Melt in the cheddar — 2 minutes

1. Add the shredded cheddar gradually, about ¼ cup at a time , stirring after each addition.
2. Keep the heat on low and continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted.
3. Texture cue: The queso should be thick enough to coat a spoon but loose enough to dip easily.

7. Adjust the consistency — 1 minute

1. If the queso is too thick, stir in 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
2. If it is too thin, keep it over low heat for another 1–2 minutes , stirring frequently.

8. Garnish and serve

1. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with fresh cilantro, jalapeño, diced tomatoes, or green onion if desired.
2. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
3. For a high-protein snack plate, pair with sliced bell peppers, cucumber, celery, and a small serving of protein-rich crackers or chips.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheating: Warm slowly over low heat or microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently. Freezing: Possible for up to 1 month, but the dairy-based texture may change slightly after thawing. Allergy notes: Contains milk/dairy ; check salsa and seasoning labels for additional allergens. Low-carb serving idea: Use bell peppers, celery, cucumber, broccoli, pork rinds, or low-carb tortilla chips for dipping. Higher-protein option: Use lean ground beef and add a little extra cottage cheese while keeping the consistency balanced. Spicy version: Add diced jalapeños, cayenne, hot salsa, or a few dashes of hot sauce. Mexican-style flavor: Add taco seasoning, cumin, cilantro, and fresh lime juice. Extra creamy texture: Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth before adding it to the skillet. Cheese tip: Freshly shredded cheddar generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: ~245 kcal · Protein: ~23 g · Fat: s ~15 g Cholesterol ~55 mg · Carbohydrates: ~5 g · Fiber: ~1 g · Sugar: ~3 g · Sodium: ~520 mg