Description
This Cottage Cheese and Spinach Salad is a light, nutrient-packed salad that combines the creaminess of cottage cheese with the fresh, earthy taste of spinach. Tossed with a simple vinaigrette and topped with your favorite toppings, this salad makes for a healthy and satisfying meal or side dish. Rich in protein and vitamins, it’s perfect for anyone looking for a fresh, quick, and nutritious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons roasted sunflower seeds or nuts (optional)
For the Vinaigrette:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach:
Wash and dry the spinach leaves thoroughly. If the spinach leaves are large, you can tear them into smaller pieces for easier eating. - Mix the Salad:
In a large bowl, add the spinach, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and cottage cheese. Toss gently to combine the ingredients. - Prepare the Vinaigrette:
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, Dijon mustard (if using), honey or agave (if using), salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. - Toss the Salad:
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat the spinach and cottage cheese. - Add Toppings and Serve:
Top with roasted sunflower seeds, nuts, or any other toppings of your choice. Serve immediately as a light meal or side dish.
Notes
- Feel free to add additional toppings like avocado, roasted vegetables, or grilled chicken to make this salad even more filling.
- If you prefer a different dressing, a creamy ranch or Greek yogurt dressing works well too.
- To make it dairy-free, you can substitute the cottage cheese with a dairy-free option like cashew cheese or a plant-based yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 15mg