Cottage Cheese Red Pepper Dip

Cottage cheese and red pepper dip is a beautiful blend of cool, creamy cottage cheese, marinated red peppers and warming spices. Dip it, spread it, serve it as a side. This two-step dip is done in under two minutes making it the quickest dip on the blog. 

For a dairy-free alternative, muhammara dip is another red pepper wonder. This one’s blended with woody walnuts and a touch of balsamic vinegar zing. 

In the summer, it’s essential to have a catalogue of creamy, dreamy, easy dip recipes at your fingertips. I’ve been caught out by the weather on more than one occasion already.

You see, I plan meals a week in advance, taking into consideration (amongst other factors) the weather forecast, i.e. Wednesday: grey and rainy = cockle-warming soup. 

But, classic Britain, Wednesday evening rolls around and the sun makes an appearance bringing the temperature up to 19C and a patch of sunlight that illuminates our garden furniture with a golden-hour glow. And no-one wants Russian meatball soup. 

However, with a few pre-prepared dips in the fridge, you can make a quick pivot and have a spontaneous patio picnic. Here’s a few I habitually stock:

• Whipped feta dip
• Creamy cilantro and walnut
• Ricotta dip with roasted cherry tomatoes and basil pesto

All can be served with grilled chicken, garden salad and flatbread or sourdough for a (good) weather emergency.

Easy red pepper dip

There are literally two steps to this veggie dip recipe, and providing you have a food processor or blender, it will take under two minutes too. Let’s say 4 if you’re mixing the ingredients by hand. There is no quicker dip on my blog.

And this one is an all-round winner. Cottage cheese has been a staple on my shopping list since the start of the year (and associated New Year’s resolutions). It’s an economical, high protein, good-for-bones cheese, whose mild flavour is easy to pair with almost anything. 

But eating it week in and week out for the last few months was getting tedious. Then, one lunchtime, having my Thursday topping of cherry tomatoes, pesto, red bell peppers and seed sprinkle, I had a eureka! moment. Why not combine everything and make a smooth, creamy, utterly delicious dip?

Cottage cheese is naturally thick with cheese curds, blending them would result in a luxurious stand-up-smooth whip. I could easily add feisty garlic, paprika and lemon juice for bonus flavour, and adding jarred, marinated peppers would bring natural smokiness and slick texture. And, by using a This is an affiliate link.food processor, even eliminate the need for chopping! 

To elevate the dip and up the lunchtime drama, I finished it with a swirl of olive oil and a sprinkling of green pistachio nuts. What a welcome (and simple) upgrade! 

Serving suggestions

There is more than one way to serve a dip! 

There’s the obvious, of course… as a dip. In my house this is usually a healthy, between-meals snack with a homemade flatbread, tortilla chips, or grown up crudités (or in the past kid-friendly veggie sticks or breadsticks). And maybe a cold beer. 

Or as a starter-slash-side, part of a blow out meal. For example, I’d serve this red pepper dip with chicken musakhan, or a vegetarian falafel salad bowl, and Israeli salad for a Middle Eastern inspired feast. 

And lastly, as a sandwich spread. Yep, you heard me! Do you ever find yourself just adding a dollop of mayo, or an extra smear of cream cheese just to give your sandwich a little moisture? Well, this is your permission to use a dip instead.

Add a spread of cottage cheese dip (or one of the three mentioned above) in place of your go-to mayo in almost any sandwich. I’m backing a focaccia-heavy deli meats banger, or chickpea salad, or just jazz up a plain ham salad or cheese and tomato. It’ll take your sandwich game next level. 

Storage and leftovers

Pre-prepared cottage cheese and red pepper dip will keep in an This is an affiliate link.airtight container for 3-4 days, which makes it a helpful get-ahead dip for a picnic, barbecue, or weekday lunch box.

More dip recipes to try

• Queso Fundido with Chorizo
• Hot Crab and Roasted Corn Dip
• Smoked Cheddar Southwest Dip
• Green Goddess Dip with Crudités