Cream cheese and cottage cheese are two types of soft cheese that are commonly used in the kitchen. Although both cheeses are delicious and versatile, they have different flavors and uses.
In this article, we will discuss the difference between cream cheese and cottage cheese and give you helpful ideas for using them in your cooking. Let's get started!
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Cream Cheese In Comparison With Cottage Cheese
Cream cheese is a smooth, creamy cheese made from a combination of sweet milk and cream.
It has a subtly sweet, milky taste, mildly tangy flavor, and spreadable texture that is perfect for spreading on bagels, toast, or crackers. Cream cheeses are also commonly used in bagels, salads, within a cake batter, and as a topping.
Cottage cheese, on the other hand, has a slightly salty and sour flavor and a lumpy, creamy wetness. While cream cheese retains most water, cottage cheese is drained after processing, leaving solid pieces in curdles.
Cottage cheeses are often used in dips, pancakes, casseroles, and desserts and can be a substitute for ricotta cheese.
Nutritional Content
Cream and cottage cheese have different nutritional profiles, and their nutritional content can vary depending on the brand. Here's a comparison of the basic nutritional content of 29 grams of regular cream cheese versus regular cottage cheese:
Cream Cheese: 29 Grams Serving
- Calories: 102
- Total Fat: 10 grams
- Saturated fat: 5 grams
- Cholesterol: 29 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 1.6 gram
- Protein: 1.8 grams
- Sodium: 91 milligrams
Cottage Cheese (Non-Fat): 29 Grams Serving
- Calories: 25
- Fat: 0.12 gram
- Saturated fat: 0.079 gram
- Cholesterol: 2 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 0.54 gram
- Protein: 5.01 grams
- Sodium: 4 milligrams
Make sure to check the nutrition label to ensure the cheese you're buying fits your dietary needs and goals!
How to Prepare These Soft Cheeses?
You can make homemade cream cheese and cottage cheese, but the process can be a bit different for each.
Cream Cheese:
First, here is how to make cream cheese from scratch:
Ingredients
- 4 cups full-fat whole cow's milk
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- The first step is curdling milk. Heat the whole milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat to a rolling simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and add lemon juice one tablespoon at a time, in 1-minute intervals, while stirring constantly.
- Keep cooking until the mixture curdles, which should take just a few minutes. Stir constantly until the mixture separates, with thick curdles on top and a green liquid on the bottom. Remove from heat.
- Place a cheesecloth-lined sieve over a bowl and strain the curd mixture through it. Allow it to strain and cool for 15 minutes
- Once cooled, transfer the curds to a food processor and process until they come together and are smooth and creamy, which should take around 3-4 minutes. Keep going if the cream cheese is still grainy.
- Add salt to taste and any herbs, garlic, or other flavors you like.
- Store the cream cheese in the fridge and use it for 7 days to 2 weeks.
Cottage cheese:
Meanwhile, here are the steps in making cottage cheese:
Ingredients
- 1 gallon of whole milk
- ¾ cup of white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a large pot over medium heat until it reaches 190°F.
- Remove your pot from the heat and stir in the vinegar (milk curdling process). Cover and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
- Place a colander lined with cheesecloth over a bowl. Pour the mixture into the colander and let it drain for 30 minutes.
- Gather the corners of the cheesecloth and rinse the curd under cold water for 3 to 5 minutes. Continue squeezing and moving the mixture until it has cooled completely.
- Pour the cheese from the cloth into a bowl and use a spoon to crumble it into small curds.
- Flavor cottage cheese by mixing in salt to your liking.
Uses of Fresh Cheese
Cream cheese and cottage cheese are two types of cheese that have different textures and flavors, and as such, they are used in different ways in recipes. Here are some common uses of cream cheese and cottage cheese:
Cream Cheese Uses
- As a spread: Cream cheese is often used as a spread on bagels, toast, crackers, and sandwiches.
- In baking: Cream cheese is a common ingredient in desserts such as cheesecakes, frosting, and cream fillings for pastries.
- In dips: Cream cheese is a popular ingredient in savory dips, such as buffalo chicken dip and spinach and artichoke dip.
- In pasta dishes: Cream cheese can be used as a sauce base for pasta dishes, such as Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo.
Cottage Cheese Uses
- In salads: Cottage cheese can be added to salads for a boost creaminess.
- In baked goods: Cottage cheese can be used in baked goods such as muffins, pancakes, and quick breads to add moisture.
- In casseroles: Cottage cheese is a common ingredient in casseroles, such as lasagna and baked ziti, to add creaminess.
Cream and cottage cheese can also be used in various other ways, such as in smoothies, omelets, and topping for baked potatoes. The choice between cream cheese or cottage cheese often comes down to the specific recipe and desired texture and flavor.
Shelf Life
Cream cheese and cottage cheese can have different shelf lives depending on the brand and how you store them.
If you've got unopened cream cheese, it can last up to two weeks past the sell-by date as long as it's stored at or below 40°F (4°C). Once you open it, make sure to eat it within 7-10 days.
Meanwhile, cottage cheese has a shorter shelf life than cream cheese. If it's unopened, it can last up to one week past the sell-by date in the fridge. But once you open it up, it's best to eat it within 5-7 days.
If you're unsure if your cheese is still safe to eat, check out How to Tell If Cheese Has Gone Bad.
Can I Use Cottage Instead of Cream Cheese and Vice Versa?
Typically, avoid swapping cottage cheese for cream cheese or vice versa due to differing textures, consistencies, and flavors impacting your recipe. However, some situations may allow for making these substitutions.
If you are using cream cheese as a spread on a bagel or as a dip, you may be able to substitute cottage cheese that has been blended until smooth or mixed with other ingredients like yogurt or sour cream to achieve a creamier texture.
However, keep in mind that the flavor will not be exactly the same as cream cheese.
Enjoy Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese
In conclusion, both cream cheese and cottage cheese offer unique flavors, textures, and uses in the kitchen.
Cream cheese, with its creamy smoothness, is perfect for spreads, desserts, and sauces, while cottage cheese brings a lumpy, tangy touch to salads, casseroles, and baked goods.
Understanding their differences can help you make the best choice for your recipes, enhancing your meals whether you crave the richness of cream cheese or the lightness of cottage cheese.
So, the next time you're whipping up a dish, try incorporating these versatile cheeses into your cooking and explore new ways to enjoy them!
