Labor Day cookouts are the perfect time to indulge in all your favorite summer foods, but if you’re looking for a side dish that’s a bit lighter without skimping on flavor, Loaded Cottage Cheese Potato Salad is here to save the day! This dish has everything you love—bacon, cheddar cheese, eggs, and green onions—but with cottage cheese as a creamy, protein-packed base that’s lighter than traditional mayo.

Less Mayo, More Yum

Cottage cheese is the hero in this potato salad, giving it that creamy texture you expect but keeping things lighter. Unlike heavy mayonnaise-based salads, cottage cheese adds a slight tang and a nice dose of protein, making this dish both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect way to enjoy all the flavors of a loaded baked potato in one happy side dish.

A bowl of loaded cottage cheese potato salad

What Makes It Loaded? 🍳🥓

It’s a loaded baked potato, but in potato salad form!

Bacon: Crispy, smoky bacon adds that irresistible savory crunch.
Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp cheddar brings richness and a hint of indulgence.
Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs provide extra texture and protein.
Green Onions: Crunchy green onions give a burst of flavor and a bit of bite, balancing out the richness.

Perfect for Labor Day Cookouts

A Crowd-Pleasing Side Dish

Whether you’re hosting a big Labor Day barbecue or attending a potluck, this Loaded Cottage Cheese Potato Salad is guaranteed to be a hit. It’s hearty enough to stand alongside grilled meats but light enough that it won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Plus, it pairs perfectly with everything from burgers to chicken, making it a versatile addition to your holiday spread.

Easy to Make and Transport

Not only is this salad packed with flavor, but it’s also easy to prepare and transport, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings. Just mix up your ingredients, chill the salad in the fridge, and you’re ready to go. It’s simple, delicious, and travel-friendly—what more could you ask for in a cookout side dish?

How to Customize Your Potato Salad

Personalizing Your Salad

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it with whatever you have on hand. Here are a few ideas:

Add Veggies: Stir in some chopped celery, bell peppers, or even pickles for added crunch and flavor.
Herbs: Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can bring a new level of freshness to the dish.
Spice It Up: A sprinkle of paprika or a dash of hot sauce can add a little heat if you’re looking to kick things up a notch. 🌶️

A Healthier Option Without Sacrificing Flavor

Enjoy the Cookout

Traditional potato salad is often loaded with heavy mayo, but using cottage cheese lightens things up while keeping that creamy, indulgent texture. This means you can enjoy a generous serving AND get some protein, making it perfect for those who want to indulge in Labor Day festivities without messing up your macros.

Serve It Up!

Loaded Cottage Cheese Potato Salad is your new go-to for a lighter, protein-packed side dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor. With the perfect mix of bacon, cheddar, eggs, and green onion, it’s everything you love about a loaded baked potato, transformed into a salad that’s ideal for any cookout. Bring this to your next Labor Day gathering, and watch it disappear—everyone will be coming back for seconds!

Loaded Cottage Cheese Potato Salad

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This loaded cottage cheese potato salad is a protein packed spin on everyone’s favorite cookout side dish. Perfect for Labor Day cookout menus!

Author: cottagecheeserecipes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 1x
Category: Side Dish

Ingredients

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4 Cups potatoes, diced
1 Cup Cottage Cheese, blended
1/2 Cup mayonnaise
1 T fresh dill, chopped
1 1/2 t garlic powder
1 1/2 t onion powder
1 1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2 eggs
1 1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c bacon, cooked and chopped
1/4 green onions, chopped

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Instructions

Dice potatoes and add to a large pot, cover potatoes with water, cook on high heat and bring to a boil. Once potatoes are boiling reduce to medium heat and cook for 12-15 minutes.
Add water to a small pan and bring to a boil. Place the 2 eggs in the pan and boil for 10 minutes.
Drain potatoes and add to a large bowl. Set them aside to cool.
In a large pan cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and place on a paper towel. Cut bacon into small pieces after it has cooled down.
In a small bowl add all of the seasoning together and stir to combine.
In a medium sized bowl add the mayonnaise, blended cottage cheese and seasoning blend. Stir together.
Add the dressing blend to the diced potatoes. Mix gently so you don’t mash the potatoes.
Chop the hard-boiled eggs and the green onion.
Add 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, 1 cup of bacon, 1/2 of the green onions and all of the chopped eggs to the potato salad. Stir gently. Save the remaining cheese, bacon and green onions to sprinkle on the top before serving.