Hello, my wonderful friends! It’s Thursday evening here in Marrakesh, just about 8:40 PM, and I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite easy healthy high protein lunch ideas that’s perfect for meal prep or a quick, satisfying bite any time: High Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Salad! Forget heavy mayo; this version uses creamy cottage cheese for an incredible protein boost and amazing texture. Imagine perfectly boiled eggs mashed with tangy, creamy cottage cheese, a hint of mustard, and fresh dill. It’s a healthier egg salad that balances classic comfort with fantastic nutrition and comes together in minutes (once your eggs are boiled!).
Serving Versatility
This protein packed egg salad is incredibly versatile! Enjoy it classic style in a sandwich on whole wheat bread, pile it onto crackers or rice cakes for a quick snack, scoop it into lettuce cups for a low carb option, or simply eat it with a fork! It’s also one of the best high protein soft meals if you need something easy to eat.
Full Recipe: My Go-To Healthy Egg Salad
- Prep time: 10 minutes (plus time to boil eggs)
- Cook time: 0 minutes (after eggs are boiled)
- Total time: 10 minutes (after eggs are boiled)
- Servings: 2-3
- Calories: Approximately 250-300 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 6 large hard boiled eggs, peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup low fat cottage cheese (small curd preferred)
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried dill)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional add ins: chopped celery, red onion, or a pinch of paprika
Instructions
- Place the roughly chopped hard boiled eggs in a medium bowl.
- Add the cottage cheese, optional Greek yogurt, and Dijon mustard to the bowl.
- Use a fork to mash the eggs and mix them with the cottage cheese and mustard until you reach your desired consistency. I like mine slightly chunky!
- Stir in the chopped fresh dill (or dried dill).
- Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. If using, stir in any optional add ins like celery or red onion.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: Ready in just 10 minutes once your eggs are boiled! Perfect for fast lunches.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Eggs and cottage cheese are affordable protein powerhouses.
- Big, cozy flavor: Creamy, tangy, and savory – all the classic egg salad goodness, but lighter!
- Nutritional value: Packed with protein! An excellent choice for work lunch ideas high protein.
- Customizability: So many ways to serve it and add your favorite mix ins. Fits into many faster way recipes or healthy Weight Watchers recipes plans.
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
Egg salad is a classic American deli and picnic staple, traditionally made creamy with mayonnaise. This recipe offers a modern, health conscious twist by substituting most or all of the mayonnaise with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. This simple swap dramatically increases the protein content and reduces the fat while maintaining a wonderfully creamy texture. It’s a fantastic technique among cottage cheese recipe ideas for boosting nutrition in familiar dishes.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Sandwich: Serve on toasted whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato.
- Lettuce Wraps: Scoop the egg salad into crisp butter lettuce or romaine leaves for a low carb, refreshing option.
- Cracker Snack: Pile onto your favorite whole grain crackers or rice cakes for an easy snack. One of the best boiled egg lunch ideas!
- Stuffed Avocado: Fill avocado halves with the egg salad for a nutrient dense, healthy fat filled meal.
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t Over Mash: Keep some texture! Mash the eggs gently to avoid creating a paste.
- Blend Cottage Cheese (Optional): If you dislike the texture of cottage cheese curds, blend the cottage cheese in a small blender until smooth before adding it to the eggs.
- Fresh Herbs are Best: Fresh dill adds a bright, irreplaceable flavor, but dried dill works in a pinch.
- Taste and Season: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end, as cottage cheese brands vary in saltiness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover High Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it perfect for meal prepping lunches! This dish is best served chilled or at room temperature; reheating is not recommended. Give it a good stir before serving, as some liquid may separate slightly upon standing.
Closing Paragraph
I am so excited for you to try this amazing High Protein Cottage Cheese Egg Salad! It’s such a simple, delicious, and incredibly satisfying way to enjoy a classic comfort food while fueling your body. It’s truly one of the best healthy boiled eggs recipes for a quick and easy meal. Please give this recipe a try, customize it to your liking, and let me know how you enjoyed it by leaving a rating and comment below!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This egg salad is a total game changer for me! I love the classic flavor, but swapping in cottage cheese makes it so much more satisfying and guilt free. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with goodness. Perfect for a quick lunch or even a light dinner. It’s simple, healthy comfort food at its best!