Beefy Cottage Cheese Queso

Great for game day! Blend cottage cheese until smooth and creamy, then mix it with shredded cheddar, salsa, and a bit of cream cheese. Season the ground beef with taco seasoning and add it to the cottage cheese mixture. Top with cheese and bake until bubbly.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground beef (I used 80/20), cooked and drained  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil  
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced  
• 3 garlic cloves, minced  
• 4 teaspoons taco seasoning, divided  
• 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese (about 2 cups), you can also use whole-fat cottage cheese for a creamier, richer version  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt  
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper  
• 1/2 cup of mild salsa  
• 1/4 cup cream cheese  
• 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded 
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded  
• Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish  
• Green onion, chopped for garnish

Cooking:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  
2. Heat a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. 
3. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and 2 teaspoons taco seasoning and cook until the ground beef is cooked through. Drain fat from the beef {do not put fat down the drain} and then add the beef back into the skillet.  
4. In a blender or food processor add the cottage cheese, 2 teaspoons taco seasoning, salt, pepper, salsa, cream cheese and pepper jack cheese and blend until smooth.  
5. Pour the cottage cheese mixture in with the ground beef into the skillet and mix well. Top the beef skillet with the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.  
6. Put the skillet into the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, red onion and green onion. Serve with chips.

Notes:

• Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. To reheat you can heat in the microwave or heat in the oven. You might want to add more shredded cheese before re-baking. 
• What can I sub for the cottage cheese? You can sub Greek yogurt for the cottage cheese to help create the creamy, queso texture. You also could do 1/2 cottage cheese and 1/2 Greek yogurt and blend that to create the queso mixture. 
• What type of cottage cheese is best to use? You can use low-fat cottage cheese in this recipe for a lighter version. If you use whole-fat cottage cheese it will be richer and creamier.  
• I like ground beef best but you could easily use leftover dry rubbed flank steak or even leftover shredded beef brisket in this recipe.

Safe Handling Tips:

• Wash hands with soap and water before cooking and always after touching raw meat. 
• Separate raw meat from other foods. 
• Wash all cutting boards, utensils, and dishes after touching raw meat. 
• Do not reuse marinades used on raw foods. 
• Wash all produce prior to use. 
• Cook steaks and roasts until temperature reaches 145°F for medium rare, as measured by a meat thermometer, allowing to rest for three minutes. Cook Ground Beef to 160°F as measured by a meat thermometer. 
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly. 

For more information on degree of doneness and other cooking tips. 

For more information on safe food handling and beef safety.