Healthy & Hearty: Cottage Cheese Loaded Baked Potatoes with Ham and Fresh Herbs

Cottage cheese-loaded baked potatoes: flavorful oven-baked potatoes. The filling of ham, herbs, and cottage cheese is skinny yet full of taste. A great side dish.

Potatoes are incredibly versatile, offering endless possibilities for delicious meals. I find myself constantly experimenting with new ways to prepare them, and one of my absolute favorites is baking them until perfectly tender, then loading them with a scrumptious filling. While traditional loaded potatoes often feature high-fat sour cream, I’ve discovered a lighter, equally satisfying alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or creaminess.

Imagine a creamy filling that’s not only packed with flavor but also boasts fewer calories, allowing you to enjoy your comfort food guilt-free. That’s where cottage cheese comes into play! Combined with the savory goodness of ham and the vibrant freshness of chives and parsley, it creates an irresistible topping for your fluffy baked potatoes. This recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling nourished.

Baked potatoes are a staple for a reason. Their crispy skin and soft, fluffy interior provide the perfect canvas for a myriad of toppings. But for those seeking a healthier twist on this classic, heavy cream-based fillings can be a deterrent. Our cottage cheese-loaded baked potatoes recipe is designed to deliver all the indulgence without the extra fat. Cottage cheese is a fantastic source of protein and calcium, and when whipped lightly or simply mixed with other ingredients, it mimics the creamy texture you crave, making it an ideal choice for a nutritious and delicious potato topping.

The Secret to Perfectly Baked Potatoes

Achieving that ideal baked potato—crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside—is simpler than you might think. Start with the right type of potato; Russet (or Idaho) potatoes are typically the best choice for baking due to their starchy content, which yields a wonderfully airy texture when cooked. Yukon Gold potatoes can also work, offering a slightly creamier consistency.

Preparation is key. Always scrub your potatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. While some recipes suggest oiling and salting the skin, for a lighter approach, simply pricking the potato several times with a fork is sufficient. This allows steam to escape during baking, preventing the potato from bursting and ensuring an even cook throughout. Place them directly on an oven rack or a baking sheet in a preheated oven, giving them plenty of space to bake evenly.

• Pro Tip: How to Tell When Your Potato is Done: To check if your baked potato is ready to serve, gently insert a fork into its center. If the fork slides in easily without much resistance, your potato is perfectly cooked and ready for its delicious filling.

Crafting the Flavorful Cottage Cheese Filling

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet profoundly flavorful filling. Cottage cheese provides the creamy base, acting as a low-fat alternative to sour cream or heavy cheese sauces. Its mild flavor readily absorbs the other ingredients, making it a versatile foundation. For this recipe, we enhance it with finely diced deli ham, which adds a savory, salty depth and a satisfying texture. The fresh herbs – chives and parsley – are not just for garnish; they infuse the cottage cheese with bright, aromatic notes that elevate the entire dish.

Chopping your herbs finely ensures that their flavor is evenly distributed throughout the filling, and a delicate touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper brings all the elements into perfect balance. You can prepare this filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator, making meal prep even easier for busy weeknights. The combination of protein-rich cottage cheese, lean ham, and fresh herbs creates a filling that is both healthy and incredibly delicious.

Beyond the Basic: Customizing Your Loaded Baked Potatoes

One of the best things about baked potatoes is their adaptability. While our ham and herb cottage cheese filling is a winner, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the ham and add sautéed mushrooms, black beans, corn, or roasted bell peppers. If you’re a cheese lover, a sprinkle of a sharp cheddar or creamy mozzarella on top will add another layer of flavor. A dash of hot sauce or some finely diced jalapeños can give it a spicy kick.

Consider adding other fresh herbs like dill for a different aromatic profile, or a pinch of garlic powder and onion powder for an extra savory boost. These loaded baked potatoes can stand alone as a light, satisfying meal, or they can be served as a hearty and healthy side dish alongside grilled chicken, baked fish, or a crisp green salad. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to get creative in the kitchen while keeping things wholesome and delicious.

📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

Cottage cheese loaded baked potatoes

Andréa

Cottage cheese-loaded baked potatoes: flavorful oven-baked potatoes. The filling of ham, herbs, and cottage cheese is skinny yet full of taste. A great side dish or light meal.

5 of 3 votes

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Prep Time

10 minutes
mins

Cook Time

1 hour
hr

Total Time

1 hour
hr
10 minutes
mins

Course
Side Dish

Cuisine
American, Comfort Food

Servings

4
persons

Calories

375
kcal

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  large
  potatoes,
  (Russet or starchy variety), scrubbed clean

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  sprigs
  fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  sprigs
  fresh chives, finely chopped

• 
  ▢
  
  
  4
  slices
  deli ham, diced into small strips

• 
  ▢
  
  
  125
  grams
  cottage cheese, low-fat or regular

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ¼
  teaspoon
  salt, or to taste

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ⅛
  teaspoon
  ground black pepper, or to taste

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Metric –
US Customary

Instructions

Preparing the Filling

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  ▢
  
  

  Cut the deli ham into small, uniform strips or dice it finely. This ensures it mixes well with the cottage cheese.

• 
  ▢
  
  

  Wash and pat dry the fresh parsley and chives. Chop them finely to release their aromatic oils and ensure they blend seamlessly into the creamy filling.

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  In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, chopped ham, and chopped herbs. Mix gently until all ingredients are well incorporated.

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  Taste the filling and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Adjust as needed to achieve a balanced flavor.

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  Cover the bowl and store the prepared cottage cheese filling in the refrigerator until your baked potatoes are ready.

Loading the Baked Potatoes

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  Preheat your oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This ensures the potatoes cook evenly and develop a crispy skin.

• 
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  Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under cool running water using a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or debris from the skin. Pat them dry completely.

• 
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  Prick each potato several times all over with a fork. This prevents steam buildup and allows the potatoes to bake properly. Place them directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.

• 
  ▢
  
  

  Bake the potatoes for approximately 1 hour, or until they are fork-tender and the skin is crispy. The exact time may vary depending on the size of your potatoes.

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  ▢
  
  

  Once the potatoes are perfectly baked, carefully remove them from the oven.

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  Using a sharp knife, slice a V-shaped notch into the upper side of each potato, or simply cut a deep slit down the middle. Gently squeeze the ends to open it up and fluff the interior with a fork.

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  Generously spoon the herbed cottage cheese filling into the opened notch of each hot baked potato. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• If you want to tell if your potatoes are ready to serve, take a fork and press it into the potato. If it goes in easy (without resistance), your potato is done.
• For an extra crispy potato skin, rub the potatoes with a very thin layer of olive oil and a sprinkle of coarse salt before baking.
• Leftover filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently or enjoy cold.
• To make this a complete meal, serve alongside a lean protein like grilled chicken breast or a simple green salad.

Nutrition

Calories:
375
kcal


Carbohydrates:
65
g


Protein:
17
g


Fat:
5
g


Saturated Fat:
2
g


Cholesterol:
19
mg


Sodium:
627
mg


Fiber:
8
g


Sugar:
4
g


Vitamin A:
141
IU


Vitamin C:
75
mg


Iron:
3
mg

Keyword
cottage cheese baked potatoes, loaded potatoes recipe, healthy potato side dish

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