The 2-Ingredient High-Protein Snack That Keeps Me Full for Hours

I can't make it through my day without snacking. From the moment I wake up in the morning until I lie down at night, I'm moving, and that movement makes me hungry. I need something to munch on between meals so that I don't curl up on my couch with a throw blanket and sleep mask.

The secret to my snacks is that they're never made from a single item. Instead, they're a combination of foods designed to be interesting and nutritious. My current snack-infatuation is a two-ingredient dip made with cottage cheese and store-bought pesto .

Why I Love This 2-Ingredient Snack

I want my snack to be satisfying and long-lasting, which means a bag of chips won't do. That's why when I choose what I'm going to eat, I put some thought into it. What am I craving that will also sustain me until my next meal? My go-to nutrients for a satisfying snack are protein and fiber, since both can help tame my hunger for longer.

Cottage cheese is packed with protein, making it the perfect base for my filling snack. I love Good Culture Cottage Cheese for its smooth, perfectly thick texture and its creamy, rich flavor. I also love that it's loaded with gut-friendly live and active cultures and made without stabilizers, additives, preservatives, or gums.

Adding pesto enhances the flavor profile in the best way, making it ideal for high-fiber dipping options like whole-grain crackers and sliced vegetables. Gotham Greens makes my favorite store-bought pesto. Unlike jarred versions, it's sold in the refrigerator section, and it tastes fresh and light, which pairs perfectly with my creamy cottage cheese.

I also love that this snack is quick and easy to whip up (five minutes max). I personally love a richer, higher-fat cottage cheese, but that can easily be swapped with a lower-fat option. I also like a 2-to-1 ratio of cottage cheese to pesto, but if you prefer a stronger pesto flavor, you can easily adjust that ratio.

What if You Don't Like Cottage Cheese?

I realize not everyone is on #teamcottagecheese. If you're unsure of where to start, try the recipe below or start small, buying Good Culture's single-serve cups, for example, versus committing to an entire 16-ounce container. If texture is your issue, then try blending the cheese and pesto in a small blender or food processor for a smoother dip.

How To Make My 2-Ingredient Pesto Cottage Cheese Dip

To make 4 to 6 servings (1 1/4 cups of dip), you'll need:
Prep time:5 minutes

• 1 cup whole-milk cottage cheese (I like Good Culture 6%)

• 1/4 cup prepared pesto (such as Gotham Greens)

In a small bowl, stir together the cottage cheese and the pesto. Serve with veggie sticks, crackers, or pita chips.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Easy Tweaks and Upgrades

I like adding a squeeze of lemon juice for a hit of brightness or halved cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or roasted red peppers. For a little heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper. I also like to add rotisserie chicken to make it more of a meal. For crunch and texture, toasted pine nuts, walnuts, or sunflower seeds are excellent.

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