Healthy Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting classics get a fresh twist. Healthy Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad swaps mayo for blended cottage cheese creating high-protein 35g creamy tuna salad with celery pickle crunch and lemon brightness. This guilt-free lunch serves 4 in 10 minutes perfect sandwiches wraps or crackers.

Why This Recipe Works

Blended cottage cheese mimics mayo texture while tripling protein staying light. Dijon mustard adds tangy complexity without calories. Celery red onion pickles provide crunch preventing mushiness. Lemon juice prevents fishy taste keeps fresh. Garlic powder subtle savory depth.

Ingredients & Prep

3 cans tuna albacore drained 5 oz each, ½ cup cottage cheese full-fat blended smooth, 2 celery stalks finely diced, ¼ cup red onion minced, ¼ cup dill pickles chopped, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper, salt optional, fresh dill chopped.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Blend cottage cheese immersion blender or food processor smooth creamy 30 seconds. Drain tuna squeeze excess moisture. Combine tuna cottage cheese celery onion pickles Dijon lemon garlic powder pepper large bowl. Mix gently preserve tuna chunks. Taste adjust lemon salt. Chill 15 minutes flavors meld serve.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Refrigerate airtight 4 days. Don’t freeze texture changes. Flavor peaks day two.

FAQs

Cottage cheese lumpy? Blend completely high-speed. Too dry? Extra lemon juice tablespoon. Tuna watery? Press paper towels thorough drain.

Conclusion

Healthy Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad redefines lunchbox staple through protein swap genius creamy crunchy satisfying perfection.

Healthy Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

Cannoli Cake transforms Italian tube pastry into towering layer cake glory. Moist vanilla bean sponge cradles ultra-creamy ricotta-mascarpone filling studded with mini chocolate chips and candied orange flecks. Silky buttercream seals delicate crumb while pistachio crunch adds textural magic. Ultimate Pinterest birthday cake showstopper.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 3 hours (+ chill)
• Yield: 12–16 slices 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: Italian American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vanilla Layer Cake (3 layers):

2½ cups cake flour (spooned)

2½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

¾ cup unsalted butter (room temp)

1½ cups granulated sugar

4 large egg whites (room temp)

1 tbsp vanilla bean paste

1 cup whole milk (room temp)

½ cup sour cream

 

Cannoli Filling:

2 cups whole milk ricotta (drained overnight)

1½ cups mascarpone (room temp)

¾ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp orange zest

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 cup mini chocolate chips

• Buttercream:
• 1½ cups unsalted butter (room temp)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3–4 tbsp heavy cream
• Pinch salt
• Garnish:
• Chopped pistachios
• Mini chocolate chips
• Powdered sugar dust

 

Instructions

• 1. Drain ricotta overnight in cheesecloth-lined strainer. Discard whey.
• 2. Preheat oven 350°F. Prep 3x 8-inch pans (parchment bottoms).
• 3. Whisk flour + baking powder + salt.
• 4. Cream butter + sugar 3 mins pale. Add egg whites one-by-one.
• 5. Mix vanilla + milk + sour cream separate bowl.
• 6. Alternate dry/wet into creamed butter (⅓ dry, ½ wet). Fold gently.
• 7. Divide batter. Bake 22-26 mins. Cool completely.
• 8. Beat drained ricotta + mascarpone smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, zest, cinnamon. Fold chips. Chill.
• 9. Buttercream: Beat butter fluffy. Gradual powdered sugar. Vanilla + cream + salt to pipeable.
• 10. Level cakes. Filling between layers. Crumb coat, chill 20 mins. Final frost smooth.
• 11. Press pistachios halfway up sides. Pipe rosettes. Garnish chips + powdered sugar.

Notes

• Cheesecloth drain = no watery filling disaster.
• Cake flour = tender fine crumb essential.
• Room temp everything = emulsion success.
• Overnight chill = cannoli flavor peak.
• Stabilize filling: Extra 1 tbsp cornstarch if humid.
• Make ahead: Bake day 1, assemble day 2.
• Freezes unfrosted 2 months.
• Flavor twists: Amaretto soak, rum syrup, candied cherries.
• Slice chilled = clean ricotta reveal.
• Serves 12-16. Sicilian birthday perfection.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 685
• Sugar: 42g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 26g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 125mg

Keywords: cannoli cake, cannoli cream cake, ricotta chocolate chip cake, italian cannoli cake, layer cake cannoli