Introduction

Remember those cozy evenings, maybe a little chill in the air, when all you wanted was a warm hug in a bowl? This Creamy Cottage Cheese Spinach Soup is exactly that – a hug in edible form! It’s surprisingly quick to whip up, uses simple ingredients you probably already have, and delivers a flavor that feels both comforting and a little bit fancy. Get ready to discover your new favorite go-to soup!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

So Fast: Seriously, you can have this on the table in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
Incredibly Easy: No complicated steps here, just simple stirring and simmering. Anyone can make this!
Giftable Goodness: Imagine a friend is feeling under the weather or just needs a little pick-me-up. This soup is a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even picky eaters tend to love the creamy texture and mild, savory flavor. It’s a hit for all ages!

Ingredients

Gather ’round, friends! Here’s what you’ll need to make this delightful soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil: Our base for sautéing. A good quality olive oil adds a nice subtle flavor.
1 onion, chopped: The aromatic foundation of our soup. Yellow or white onions work beautifully.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Because what’s a cozy soup without a hint of garlic? Mince it finely so it distributes well.
6 cups fresh spinach: Don’t be alarmed by the volume! Spinach wilts down like magic, adding nutrients and gorgeous color.
4 cups vegetable broth: This is the liquid gold that brings everything together. You can use chicken broth too if you prefer!
1 cup cottage cheese: This is our secret weapon for creaminess! It blends in beautifully, making the soup rich without being heavy.
1 teaspoon lemon juice: Just a little splash to brighten everything up and balance the flavors.
Salt and pepper to taste: The essential seasonings. Always taste and adjust!

How to Make It

Let’s get cooking! It’s as easy as 1-2-3 (well, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, but you get the idea!):

Start the Aromatics: Grab a nice, sturdy pot and place it over medium heat. Add your tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your chopped onion. Cook it gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nice and soft and smells amazing.
Garlic Power: Now, add your minced garlic to the pot. Let it cook for just 1 minute more. You want it to be fragrant but not browned – burnt garlic can be a little bitter.
Spinach Magic: It’s time for that big pile of spinach! Add it all to the pot. It might look like a lot, but it will wilt down super quickly. Give it a stir and cook for about 2-3 minutes until it’s beautifully tender and has shrunk down.
Broth Time: Pour in your vegetable broth. Give everything a good stir and bring it all up to a gentle simmer.
Creamy Dreaminess: Lower the heat to low. This is where the magic happens! Add your cup of cottage cheese. Stir, stir, stir until it’s completely incorporated and the soup becomes wonderfully creamy and smooth. I love seeing the transformation!
A Little Zest: Stir in that teaspoon of lemon juice. It really makes all the flavors pop!
Season to Perfection: Now, taste your soup. Add salt and pepper until it tastes just right to you. This is your soup, so make it yours!
Serve and Savor: Ladle this warm, comforting soup into bowls. It’s best enjoyed immediately while it’s piping hot and wonderfully creamy.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, and you can totally make it your own! Here are a few ideas:

For the Broth: Chicken broth is a great alternative to vegetable broth if you have it on hand.
For the Creaminess: If you don’t have cottage cheese, a dollop of cream cheese or even some heavy cream (added at the very end) can give you a similar creamy effect. Just be mindful of the flavor profile.
Adding Protein: Cooked shredded chicken or white beans can be stirred in for a heartier soup.
Extra Veggies: A handful of frozen peas or some small broccoli florets can be added along with the broth to cook until tender.
Herbs: A pinch of dried dill or a sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley right before serving adds a lovely touch.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to ensure your soup is absolutely perfect every time:

Don’t Overcook the Garlic: Keep a close eye on the garlic in step 2 to prevent it from burning.
Low and Slow for Creaminess: When you add the cottage cheese, make sure the heat is on low. This helps it blend smoothly without any curdling.
Taste, Taste, Taste: Seriously, this is the most important tip! Seasoning is key to a delicious soup.
Prep Ahead: You can chop your onion and mince your garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge. This makes an already quick soup even faster to assemble.

How to Store It

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup stores beautifully.

Let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You might want to add a splash of broth or water if it seems a little thick.

FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

Is this soup good for meal prep?

Absolutely! It’s fantastic for meal prep. Make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy healthy, comforting lunches throughout the week.

Can I make this soup vegan?

To make this vegan, you would need to substitute the cottage cheese with a plant-based alternative like a cashew cream or a vegan cream cheese. Ensure your vegetable broth is also vegan.

Why is my soup a little lumpy?

This can happen if the cottage cheese is added to a soup that’s too hot or stirred too vigorously. Ensure the heat is low when adding the cottage cheese and stir gently until smooth.

Can I freeze this soup?

While it’s best enjoyed fresh due to the dairy component, you can try freezing it. However, the texture might change slightly upon thawing. If you do freeze it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently.

Creamy Cottage Cheese Spinach Soup

A quick, easy, and comforting spinach soup made creamy with cottage cheese, perfect for weeknight meals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Pot medium to large
Airtight container for storage

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil Our base for sautéing. A good quality olive oil adds a nice subtle flavor.
1 onion chopped. Yellow or white onions work beautifully.
2 cloves garlic minced. Mince it finely so it distributes well.
6 cups fresh spinach Don't be alarmed by the volume! Spinach wilts down like magic, adding nutrients and gorgeous color.
4 cups vegetable broth This is the liquid gold that brings everything together. You can use chicken broth too if you prefer!
1 cup cottage cheese This is our secret weapon for creaminess! It blends in beautifully, making the soup rich without being heavy.
1 teaspoon lemon juice Just a little splash to brighten everything up and balance the flavors.
salt and pepper to taste. The essential seasonings. Always taste and adjust!

Instructions

Grab a nice, sturdy pot and place it over medium heat. Add your tablespoon of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, toss in your chopped onion. Cook it gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's nice and soft and smells amazing.
Now, add your minced garlic to the pot. Let it cook for just 1 minute more. You want it to be fragrant but not browned – burnt garlic can be a little bitter.
It's time for that big pile of spinach! Add it all to the pot. It might look like a lot, but it will wilt down super quickly. Give it a stir and cook for about 2-3 minutes until it’s beautifully tender and has shrunk down.
Pour in your vegetable broth. Give everything a good stir and bring it all up to a gentle simmer.
Lower the heat to low. This is where the magic happens! Add your cup of cottage cheese. Stir, stir, stir until it's completely incorporated and the soup becomes wonderfully creamy and smooth. I love seeing the transformation!
Stir in that teaspoon of lemon juice. It really makes all the flavors pop!
Now, taste your soup. Add salt and pepper until it tastes just right to you. This is your soup, so make it yours!
Ladle this warm, comforting soup into bowls. It's best enjoyed immediately while it's piping hot and wonderfully creamy.

Notes

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving, and you can totally make it your own! For the broth, chicken broth is a great alternative to vegetable broth. For creaminess, cream cheese or heavy cream can be used instead of cottage cheese. Add cooked shredded chicken or white beans for protein, or frozen peas/broccoli florets for extra veggies. Dried dill, fresh chives, or parsley can be added for herbs. Don't overcook the garlic. Add cottage cheese on low heat to prevent curdling. Taste and season generously. Chop onion and garlic ahead of time for even faster prep.