Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast

By The Modern Nonna

on Jun 24, 2025

5 from 3 votes
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Ever since cottage cheese 🧀 got the spotlight it deserved, the internet has been finding all sorts of creative ways to turn it into the star of every high-protein recipe. This Viral Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast sounds like something a gym bro cooked up after leg day, but hear me out…it actually slaps! Imagine that irresistible taste of pizza, but in a lighter, protein-packed format with under 300 calories per serving 🤯? Ready in just 15-minutes this cottage cheese pizza remix will undoubtedly become a weeknight staple. It’s a high-protein hack that makes you feel like you’re indulging in pizza 🍕, while low-key hitting your macros. This one’s a no brainer!

Table of Contents

A slice of bread topped with melted cheese, pepperoni slices, and fresh herbs sits on a plate lined with newspaper-style parchment paper. Another similar slice is partially visible beside it.

Why You’ll Love Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast

If you love pizza (like, who doesn’t 🤨), you will be obsessed with this Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast recipe. This pizza-hack has the (culinary) holy 3 C’s – creamy, cheesy and crispy. The cottage cheese melts slightly, giving off lasagna vibes, while the pepperoni and toast crisp up perfectly for that golden crunch in every bite. Because we’re using cottage cheese 🧀 instead of mozzarella, you don’t get that heavy dairy taste. Instead, you get a light, balanced, macro-friendly snack with all those pizza-esque flavors you’re craving, minus the grease or richness. This Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast is perfect for weeknight dinners, post-workout bites, or anytime you want pizza 🍕 without the pizza hangover.

Ingredients

Cottage Cheese: This creamy, high-protein cheese gives you all the mozzarella dupe vibes AND helps you hit your macros 💪! I’m soooo over cottage cheese that’s full of additives, so I started making my own! You can find my Homemade Cottage Cheese recipe here. 

Sourdough: This fermented bread has a crispy crust and chewy center, plus gut-health benefits that make it easier to digest.

Pizza sauce: I like to use Rao’s pizza sauce for this quick and easy snack. 

Italian seasoning: A pinch of Italian seasoning takes this viral recipe from bland to bussin 🤤. 

Pepperoni or Italian salami: Spicy pepperoni or savory salami? You really can’t go wrong with this one! Both add tons of flavor and give this pizza toast a hearty texture. 

Nonna’s Tip 🧀

Use whipped cottage cheese or blend it for a smoother, meltier texture that spreads like sauce and gives that gooey, cheesy vibe.

Two slices of toasted bread with melted cheese and pepperoni, garnished with fresh herbs, served on a plate lined with newspaper-style parchment.

How To Make Cottage Cheese

Tired of grainy, watery store-bought cottage cheese? Yeah, me too. That’s why I decided to start making my own. If you want the full tutorial, check out my Homemade Cottage Cheese recipe here. In the meantime, here’s a quick little breakdown of the steps:

  • 🥛 Heat milk to 180°F (82.2°C) in a large pot. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar. Stir for about 30 seconds until you begin seeing curds start to form.
  • 🥣 Let this sit for 30 minutes. Then, pour the mixture into a cheesecloth-lined strainer or mesh sieve over a large bowl. Let this drain for another 30 minutes.
  • 💦 Rinse the curds under cold water if you want milder and firmer cottage cheese. Skip the rinse if you want creamier and tangier cottage cheese.
  • 🧂 Stir in salt to taste, as well as optional cream or yogurt.

Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast Variations and Substitutions

  1. Switch up the flavor profiles with different variations so you never get bored! Think Margherita or prosciutto and pineapple – don’t come at me 😜! 
  2. Make this vegetarian by omitting any meat and adding your favorite veggies instead! Mushrooms, olives 🫒, spinach, and sun dried tomatores are all good additions!
  3. Gluten-free? Sub the sourdough for your favorite gluten-free alternative.
  4. Add fresh herbs 🌱 like basil, parsley, and oregano for a hint of brightness.
  5. Swap cottage cheese for a plant-based alternative to make this recipe vegan.

Best Served With

Similar Recipes

Two slices of toasted bread topped with creamy cheese, pepperoni slices, and small green herb leaves, served on a newspaper-themed paper.

Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast

All the pizza vibes, none of the guilt. This high-protein Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast is creamy, crispy, and ready in 15 minutes – perfect for when you want something cheesy without the cheat.
5 from 3 votes
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Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Makes: 1 toast
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Video

Equipment

Measuring Cups + Spoons
Nakiri Knife

Ingredients 

  • 1 slice sourdough bread
  • 1-2 tablespoons pizza sauce, I love Rao’s
  • ¼ cup cottage cheese
  • 1 pinch Italian seasoning
  • 3 slices pepperoni or Italian salami, optional

Instructions 

  • On a piece of good sourdough, spread the pizza sauce followed by the cottage cheese and Italian seasoning.
    A hand sprinkles dried herbs from a green spice container onto a slice of bread topped with tomato sauce and cheese, placed on a white plate with sunlight and shadows across the scene.
  • Feel free to add pepperoni or Italian salami on top.
    A hand places slices of salami on top of bread with red sauce and cheese, on a white plate. Sunlight streams through blinds, casting striped shadows over the food and table.
  • Air-fry at 400F for 10 minutes or until crispy. Top with hot honey, chili flakes, or hot pepper oil.
    A slice of bread topped with cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni is served on a plate while honey is being drizzled over it. Sunlight and shadows create a striped pattern across the scene.

Notes

  • Smooth it out: Blend or whip cottage cheese for a melty, sauce-like texture.
  • DIY upgrade: Make your own cottage cheese for creamier, fresher flavor (check out my recipe!). Check out my tutorial here.
  • Switch it up: Try different combos like Margherita, veggie-loaded, or even pineapple + prosciutto 😜.
  • Diet-friendly: Make it vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan with easy swaps.
  • Boost flavor: Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano for extra pop.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 216kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 717mg, Potassium: 192mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 140IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 82mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
COOKED IT? SLAYED IT? 💅
Tag @themodernnonna so I can hype you up 👏 and don’t forget to rate ⭐, drop a comment 💬, and show some love right here on the recipe!

Common Questions

Is cottage cheese a good substitute for MOZZARELLA?

Yes! Both are soft, creamy cheeses so you still get that wonderful flavor and melty texture. Bonus: cottage cheese is loaded with protein, which is perfect for hitting those macros!

Can I add other toppings to this toast?

Absolutely! The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, making it easy to adapt to whatever ingredients you have on hand!

What kind of bread works best for Cottage Cheese Pizza Toast?

This recipe calls for sourdough, but you can also use whole grain bread and even thick cut Texas toast for a ‘deep dish’ version.

Can I make this Vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute cottage cheese for your favorite plant-based alternative. Just keep in mind that the nutritional value will change. So if getting more protein is one of your goals, you’ll have to find an alternative with similar macros.

Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?

This recipe is best enjoyed right away – you wouldn’t want soggy pizza toast! You can, however, prep all your ingredients ahead of time and assemble and toast when you’re ready to eat.

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Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

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Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

5 from 3 votes

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10 Comments

  2. Tried this tonight – the flavor was sooo good but my bread was quite soggy coming out of the air fryer. Any tips or suggestions? Appreciate it!

    Reply

    1. Hi, Emily! I’m so glad you enjoyed the flavor! Try pre-toasting your sourdough before adding the toppings, then air fry until the cheese is melted. Hope this helps! 😉

      Reply

    1. Hi Emma! You can cook this in the oven at 400F for about 13-15 minutes. Enjoy! ❤️🍕

      Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Definitely having one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that?” moments! This turned out so good and I literally had everything already in my pantry! ❤️ Such a quick, easy and delicious snack without the pizza hangover!

    Reply