If you like Greek yogurt as the base for your overnight oats, you will love cottage cheese. It creates a light and creamy oatmeal texture, is quick to make (no need to blend; embrace the curds!), and it packs in 14 grams of protein per serving; no protein powder is needed—such an easy way to enjoy overnight oats and perfect for meal prep.

I love a quick and easy cottage cheese breakfast recipe! Whether I’m making cottage cheese breakfast toast, cottage cheese pancakes, or these cottage cheese overnight oats, I find the protein in cottage cheese keeps me feeling fueled and satiated for hours. This is because cottage cheese contains casein protein, which is a slower-digesting protein than whey, and helps keep you feeling full for longer.

As a health and weight loss coach, I highly recommend starting your day with a healthy, protein and fiber-rich breakfast. Not only does this provide you with great energy for the day, but it also stabilizes blood sugar levels, prevents snacking, and supports lean muscle tissue (which I am working hard to do as I turn 50 this year!).

And trust me, nothing makes a nutritious breakfast feel more doable than having overnight oats prepped and waiting in the fridge for busy mornings. Bonus points: my kids and hubby love it too!

Ingredients Needed + Helpful Tips:

Did I mention that overnight oats made with cottage cheese are a recipe that requires only five ingredients? Yep! Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: Rolled oats are my preference when making overnight oats. Quick-cooking oats will work as well, but rolled oats create a better texture. However, steel-cut oats will not work because they are too hard and don’t absorb the liquid. If you are gluten-free, be sure to grab certified gluten-free oats (I like Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oats).
  
• Cottage Cheese: The star of the show and protein-packed! I enjoy the texture of the curds in my overnight oats, but you can also blend the cottage cheese for a smoother consistency if you prefer. Good Culture is my favorite brand – it’s so rich and creamy. I always buy the low-fat variety, but full-fat is also a delicious option. Remember- cottage cheese is higher in sodium, so there’s no need to add extra salt to your overnight oats.
  
• Almond milk: I love an unsweetened almond milk for this recipe because it’s naturally lighter than traditional milk. But honestly, any milk will work. So you use what you have and/or what you love.
  
• Chia seeds: Help to make the overnight oats thicker by absorbing some of the liquid! Plus, they add fiber, protein, and healthy fats. When I want a super thick and creamy overnight oat, I’ll use three teaspoons of chia seeds per serving. When I want my overnight oats to be a bit looser, I’ll just use one or two teaspoons.
  
• Protein boost: As is, this recipe packs in 14 grams of protein per serving! However, I often aim for 30 grams of protein per meal, so to bump the protein even higher, I’ll add a half scoop of vanilla whey protein. Not only does it add more protein power, but it’s also delicious!

How to make overnight oats with cottage cheese

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