Use these tips on how to freeze cottage cheese to store it in your freezer for up to 6 months.
Freezing can be a great way to stretch your money! It allows you to be able to stock up on items when they are on sale and when you need them, you can just walk over to your freezer! But not all things freeze the same. In fact, some things can’t be frozen.
But can you freeze cottage cheese? The answer is yes. You can freeze cottage cheese.
Cheese is typically something that is perfect for freezing; however, soft cheeses are more difficult to freeze than harder cheeses (like Cheddar or Gouda). Cottage cheese is a very soft cheese and while it can be frozen, the texture may change some when it thaws.
Why would you want to freeze it? Because when it thaws it is perfect for use in casseroles or other baked dishes.
How to Freeze Cottage Cheese
You will want to purchase the whole fat cottage cheese as it freezes better than the low-fat options. The plastic seal that goes around the lid of the cottage cheese container is somewhat fragile, so you need to place the container inside a freezer bag in case the seal is broken when something bumps into it.
Directions for freezing cottage cheese:
1. Purchase the whole fat or large curd cottage cheese.
2. Freeze it directly in the container that you purchased it in. Simply place the cottage cheese container into a freezer bag, squeeze out the excess air, and seal the bag.
3. Label the freezer bag containing your cottage cheese with the date you froze it.
You can store cottage cheese in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Thaw Frozen Cottage Cheese
1. To thaw the cottage cheese, simply place it in the refrigerator 24 – 48 hours before you need to use it. (Keep it in the plastic bag.)
2. After it is thawed, drain any excess liquid.
You can stir in a little bit of sour cream if you would like to keep the cottage cheese from being too dry after the liquid is drained. However, if you are using it to cook with, it will be fine.
It is possible to save money by stocking up on cottage cheese when it is on sale and then freezing it. It’s just a little trickier than freezing other dairy products, but it can absolutely be done.
Johnni Steffen says
Thanks,you just saved me a ton of money,I love cottage cheese but for just one,you always have left overs,now I’ll freeze and have on hand.Thanks so much.
Fauna says
I am going to try to freeze the Umpqua Cottage cheese before putting it in my checked bag for a flight from Oregon to Kansas. Does anyone have a suggestion. My DIL loves it more than any national brand and can not get it in Wichita. It will be eaten the next day so I don’t think it will go bad that fast and luckily it is colder there then here. I think it will be safe. But any suggestions to welcome.
D. Stoner says
Can I freeze dump salad with cottage cheese, cool whip, fruits, jello and marsmellow
Alea Milham says
No, you shouldn’t freeze dump salad. The fruit will be very mushy when you thaw it back out.
Sharon says
Thank you! I like to keep cottage cheese on hand because it is closer to the real Italian ricotta than what is usually sold as ricotta here in America. Mario Battali agrees with this! I like to buy it and freeze it in small portions, as I don’t usually want or need 16 oz at a time for just the two of us. I can divide it into whatever portions fit our needs. It’s much less expensive than ricotta and tastes much more authentic. Nice to be able to scoop it on sale and freeze it.
Carol says
Too many left over – cottage cheese +other ingredients, (including eggs) filled giant shells.
Can I freeze them?
Alea Milham says
Yes, you should be able to freeze them. Just cover them well before freezing.