Inspired by the cottage cheese dip that I shared a few weeks ago. This cottage cheese taco dip is creamy, loaded with spicy southwest flavor, and reminiscent of the old-school layered taco dip we all know and enjoy.

Cottage Cheese Dip

I suppose it’s possible not everyone has tried the creamy cottage cheese dips that are all over the internet these days, so I’ll remind you that when cottage cheese is blended smooth, it becomes the perfect protein-packed base for all kinds of recipes. In this recipe, it is mixed with cream cheese and taco seasoning to create the base of this fresh layered taco dip.

While this is a lightened-up variation on the classic, it’s still full of protein and does satisfy. My kids devoured it in minutes, and then proceeded to ask if we could make it with meat next time to make it even heartier. I think it would be excellent with a scoop or two of our beloved taco beef mix over the creamy cheese layer.

Cottage Cheese Recipes

I know, I know, cottage cheese is having a whole moment right now. It’s gotten to the point where it’s often out of stock in our local grocery stores – no joke. While I typically eat my cottage cheese in a very basic breakfast bowl with some fresh fruit, I still appreciate all the other ways this humble cheese can be enjoyed.

We’ve been making these cottage cheese eggs for almost 15 years now and my kids still call them “power eggs.” (Admittedly, it’s a little less adorable now that they aren’t toddlers showing off their Popeye muscles while they say it, it still makes me grin.)

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Ranch dressing meets my undying love for dill pickles in this recipe for dill pickle ranch dressing. Drizzled over a salad or served as a dip for just about anything, this disappears within a few days of making it every time I stir a batch together.

Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing

Creamy, tangy, homemade ranch dressing is packed with plenty of garlic, dill, parsley, and chives, making it a hit at every meal. When you add the bold flavor of pickles to ranch, though? It takes the flavors straight over the top.

Just thin enough to pour smoothly, without becoming too liquid or watered down: the creaminess of the dressing is well balanced by the tang of those pickles.

Dill Pickle Ranch Dip

But wait, this isn’t just for salads. I often reduce the milk (or skip it entirely by adding equal parts additional sour cream or mayo) and make this thicker for a ranch dip that my kids can’t get enough of when snacking.

We dunk chicken tenders and potato chips into it. It also makes a zesty pickle-lover’s burger sauce or sandwich spread. Odds are good that you’re going to want to put this on just about everything.

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I could write an ode to smoked salmon dip at this point. My whole family has fallen in love with this snack. We dip vegetables into it, crackers, and even chips. I’ve smeared it on a bagel and eaten it off a spoon straight from the fridge. You can not go wrong with this one, my friends.

Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe

We love the smoked trout dip at Hudson29 so much, it inspired me to figure out how to make smoked salmon dip at home for unlimited access. This recipe would work every bit as well with smoked trout, if that is an easily accessible ingredient for you. Where I am, smoked salmon is readily available almost everywhere.

This creamy dip starts with a simple creamy smooth base of blended cream cheese and sour cream. And then you’ll add bright tangy lemon juice, briny capers, fresh dill, even a little horseradish for some subtle heat, before mixing in the salmon for rich, smoky flavor.

If you’re looking for a snack or appetizer that feels kind of fancy (with the bare minimum of effort) next time you have friends over, this is it. And while my kids have never been super fussy eaters, I was shocked how much they liked this. My oldest even asked it I could make it again a few days later because he enjoyed it so much.

Smoked Salmon Dip

We serve salmon dip with crackers, crostini, tortilla chips, pretzels, even potato chips. (And yes, my boys will eat this with absolutely everything – no judgement here.)

I love it with fresh vegetables, the crisp cold vegetables pair perfectly. And believe it or not, while celery may not be my favorite vegetable pretty much ever, I LOVE it with this dip. I will happily eat an entire plate of celery alongside some salmon dip.

My favorite way to make this is with visible chunks of salmon scattered throughout the creamy dip. However, you can also blend everything together until it’s a smooth and creamy spread, perfect for spreading on sandwiches or bagels. The dip is terrific made both ways.

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Cottage cheese dip is a great tasting savory snack that just happens to be high protein and good for you, too! Scoop it up with cracker, crudités, bread, or chicken bites, but do make it!

Cottage Cheese Dip

Cottage cheese is just having a great big moment of fame lately, isn’t it? And I am so very much here for it. I love cottage cheese. I eat it pretty much every day, so whenever I learn of a new way to enjoy it, I’m likely to try that immediately.

When my friend Rebecca was visiting a few months back, she shared this cottage cheese dip with me and I was hooked. It became an instant favorite not just with me, but with my family, too.

We’ve been making ours mostly with these ranch seasonings or with a packet of onion dip, but you can make this with just about any seasoning or spice mix you like. It’s awesome to have a high-protein snack food that’s so easy to put together and so tasty, too! Not only is it delicious, but it’s also much more budget friendly than protein bars and protein shakes.

Whipped Cottage Cheese

You can use whichever cottage cheese is your preference: small curd, large curd, lowfat, or full fat. Small curd has a tangier flavor and less moisture while large curd usually has a milder, sweeter taste and more moisture. That will affect the thickness and tanginess of your dip, so choose accordingly.

If you’re a cottage cheese vegetable dip fan, you may want to give our Cottage Cheese Eggs and Cottage Cheese Pancakes a whirl. And don’t forget the sweets! Believe it or not, those fabulous little curds are great in Cottage Cheese Ice Cream, too.

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Creamy Basil Dressing Recipe (Easy And Healthy)

Add a burst of flavor to your salads with this simple and nutritious creamy basil dressing recipe. Made with fresh ingredients, it’s the perfect addition to your healthy meal options.

Watch How to Make our Creamy Basil Herb Dressing Recipe

This is one of those recipes that has evolved over time and has become one of my favorites. I drew some inspiration from our creamy avocado cilantro dressing, but in this salad dressing recipe, I mix up the herbs and amounts sometimes depending on what I have on hand or what is in season. I’ve even served it over roasted corn for a corn salad once. So good! It’s just one of my go-to, most favorite things ever.

We used this fresh basil salad dressing on our BLT pasta salad once and we have never used any other dressing on it since. It is just so bright and fresh and the perfect creaminess and zesty flavor for that pasta salad recipe. Scroll down to the section below for more ideas of how to use this dressing recipe.

Ingredients for Creamy Basil Dressing

This creamy basil salad dressing is a perfect blend of fresh, vibrant herbs and smooth, rich flavors. Made with simple, yet delicious ingredients, it brings a burst of aromatic basil combined with the creaminess of Greek yogurt and mayo. Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delightful dressing:

• Plain Greek Yogurt: Lightens up the dressing a little and adds great protein.
  • Possible substitute: sour cream
• Mayonnaise: Adds more creaminess and gives a little acidity to the dressing.
• Buttermilk: Helps thin out the dressing to a good consistency while keeping the dressing tangy and fresh.
• Fresh Herbs: Basil, Parsley, Dill and Chives — Everything must be fresh, no other option here.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds delicious umami undertones to the dressing and some acidity.
• Seasonings: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.