26 Fantastic Cotija Cheese Recipes – Great Dinner Ideas

Cotija cheese might not be a cheese that everyone’s heard of, but the chances are that you will have tasted something similar in your lifetime.

This cheese is traditionally Mexican and it resembles feta and cottage cheese when it comes to its crumbly texture.

And there are also plenty of serving suggestions when it comes to cotija cheese. You can put them on tacos, as they mingle wonderfully with the tomato and onion.

It has a very salty and tangy flavor, which is what makes it pair so well with a lot of Mexican dishes.

So what cotija cheese recipes are out there? How versatile is this cheese? What are the best flavors that you can pair with?

Well, if you are looking for the answers to these questions and more, then we would recommend that you read this article.

26 Cotija Cheese Recipes

1. Cotija Cheese Biscuits

Our first recipe is something that you can make as a delicious snack for your family. All you need is some flour and baking powder and you’ll have everything that you need for a crunchy snack.

The tangy cheese will really elevate this biscuit. You can serve this one with a rustic summer salad or tomato soup.

2. Mexican Corn Dip

If you like Mexican food, then this really is the dish for you. Filled with sumptuous green chilis, corn peppers, mayonnaise and, of course, the famous cotija cheese.

One of the best things about this recipe is the blend of different textures. It is both crunchy and soft, with the cheese melting to bind the corn peppers together.

3. Pasta With Cotija Cheese

If you are looking for something simple that you can make for the kids to school in their packed lunchbox, then you can’t go far wrong with this pasta recipe.

This is a very creamy dish, coming with lashings of pasta and whipping cream. This pasta will certainly fill a hole.

4. Salsa Roja With Cotija Cheese

This next recipe is a perfect filling for tacos, giving you a rich cheese and tomato blend that will leave your tastebuds begging for more.

This also comes with a wide variety of seasonings that you can adapt to your particular tastes. The final combination of flavors with this dish is earthy, spicy with some unsuspecting sweet notes.

5. Chili And Cotija Cheese Cauliflower

Next up, we have a recipe that comes laden with delicious cauliflower. This is the perfect recipe for vegetarians and vegans, the creamy cotija cheese mixed with this vegetable gives it an almost meaty texture.

This dish is also amazing if you are on a health kick or trying to stick to a certain amount of calories. It is very low in the latter, although it really does not sacrifice any flavor.

6. Chile Rellenos

Next up, if you still want to taste that traditional Mexican flavor, then you can’t go wrong with broiled peppers stuffed with delicious cotija cheese. This also comes with very tasty and tangy salsa roja.

This is garnished with salsa and sour lime wedges, which will give it that added tang. The cream will really even out the spice that you get in the cheese, bringing it to the milder end of the spice palette.

7. Jalapenos And Cotija Cheese Potato Stack Pie

If you like a hearty meal brimming with delicious cheese and potato, then you can’t go wrong with this stacked pie. This is both very savory, while also having that little extra piquancy.

The jalapenos will definitely appeal to people who are hankering for that hot taste on their lips. However, if you don’t want it too hot, then you can always cut the number of jalapenos in half.

8. Mexican Street Corn

If you like corn on the cob but are tired of the same boring recipes, then why not try slathering your vegetables with some cotija cheese? This has a bit of mayo with some chili powder on top.

This is a dish that is rich to the eye as well as the stomach. It will give you a lot of sumptuousness on the tongue, which is great if you really like something with a little kick.

9. Chicken Fajita Tacos With Cotija Cheese

If you like a very meaty dish, then you can’t go wrong with this cotija cheese taco recipe. This has all the rich ingredients that you’d associate with Mexico, including garlic, onion, ground cumin and bell peppers.

The chicken is also a great addition if you are wanting to reach your protein target. These taco dishes are very light and will not lie too heavily on your stomach.

10. Mexican Corn Salad

Now we have a salad that is brimming with cheese, vegetables and other delicious foods. It ticks all the boxes: spicy, savory, sweet and smoky. This is a real tango on the tastebuds.

If you are looking for something healthy with that cheeky twist, then you can’t go far wrong with this dish.

This is basically a dissected corn on the cob, so it comes with that sweetness that you associate with these tasty vegetables.

11. Scrambled Egg Tacos With Cotija Cheese

Now we have something that will make the perfect breakfast treat. This is for the semi-ambitious chef, coming with 16 ingredients and only taking 30 minutes to prepare, this will certainly fill a hole at breakfast or lunch.

If you are a vegetarian and you want to up your protein intake, then there is no better way than with eggs. The cotija cheese blends in so well with the egg.

12. Carne Asada Torta

This next meal is something for the sandwich lovers, with the creamy cheese melting perfectly in with the soft roll that it is served in. This comes with avocado, which will give it that extra creamy texture.

If you are looking for something that you can take to work in the morning but you have little time to prepare, then these are the ideal snack to get ready in just under an hour.

13. Beet Dip With Cotija Cheese

This beet dip is rich and tart, perfect for both a large summer spread or even a barbecue. The cotija cheese is thinly shaved onto the top, but it really gives your dip that aromatic kick.

This would go well as the side for many dishes, including salad or even your own homemade fries. We would recommend this as a topping on jacket potato too.

14. Esquites

Combining corn, lime juice and chili powder, this salad is a great meal to have during that warm summer weather. This brings a certain hint of tanginess which is often lacking in a traditional salad.

The great thing about esquites is how versatile they are. You can serve them in handy little cups, which makes them great appetizers for your garden party.

15. Shrimp Ceviche Taco With Cotija Cheese

One ingredient that people might not think would go well with cotija cheese is shrimp. But actually, the two of these ingredients pair very well, especially when they are wrapped in a delicious fluffy taco.

The shrimp will also be another great source of protein. This whole dish is very low in calories, which is perfect for anyone looking to lose fat and put on muscle.

16. Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Next up, we have some spicy green tomatillo salsa and chicken, both of which are simply delicious with cotija cheese. This meal might take 50 minutes, but it’s worth the wait.

These enchiladas are certainly a stomach filler, especially considering the amount of cheese that it comes with. However, once you have melted this one down, then you can be sure it will be brimming with plenty of flavors.

17. Gluten-Free Brazilian Cotija Cheese Rolls

Now we have a recipe for some of the most delicious rolls that you can find, brimming with delicious savory cheese. These are very light on calories but extremely heavy on flavor.

This is ideal to serve with any type of soup, as this cheesiness will compliment almost any flavor. We would definitely recommend that you serve these ones with tomato soup.

18. Air Fried Corn Ribs

Now for something very inventive. If you are a vegetarian but you want to have something that is very much like ribs, then why not try this recipe, which fashions corn into delicious rib shapes?

The corn is shaved into strips and then put in the air fryer until it is crisp. The cheese gives the sweetness of the corn that extra kick.

19. Salsa Verde Beef Enchiladas With Cotija Cheese

Now it’s time for a recipe for anyone who likes to load up their enchiladas with as much beef as humanly possible. This is made from tomatillos, garlic cloves and ground beef among a myriad of other ingredients.

20. Sheet Pan Street Corn Nachos

If you are looking for a recipe that is loaded with great vegetables and is easy to make with a simple metal sheet, then you can’t go wrong with this one. This is creamy and drizzled with lime juice.

21. Scrambled Eggs With Red Chili And Cotija Cheese

Here we have another scrambled egg recipe with a little bit of a twist, coming with delicious red chili and cotija cheese as a side. This requires few ingredients and only takes 10 minutes to make.

22. Shrimp Tacos

Now we have a wonderful variation on the shrimp recipe that we mentioned earlier. These are cooked thoroughly and placed within soft tortillas (see also ‘28 Of The Easiest Recipes Which Use Tortillas‘). The shrimp and the cheese pair very well.

23. Fully Loaded Guacamole Dip With Vegan Cotija Cheese

This next dip is like savory ice cream, coming with plenty of healthy fats and carbs that will be the ideal side for any meal. This comes with vegan cotija cheese, which tastes just like the real thing!

24. Nopales Tempura Tacos With Chipotle Vegetables And Cotija Cheese

Next, we have another great vegetarian recipe that encapsulates all the real flavors of Mexico but in a very organic way. This comes with amazing cotija cheese that will really bind the whole thing together.

25. Elote Pasta Carbonara

Next up, we have a classic carbonara meal but with a healthy dose of the tangy cotija cheese. This comes with chili powder and lime to make the perfect Italian meal.

26. Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini

Finally, we have a recipe that is catered to the more adventurous vegetarian chef. This is a stuffed zucchini filled to the brim with not only delicious vegetables but also rich and tasty cotija cheese.

We would certainly recommend wowing your friends by preparing them a plate of these mouth-watering starters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Cotija Cheese Go Well With?

Because this cheese crumbles and goes soft rather than melting, it is used less as a binding agent and more as a tasty topping.

This is usually a topping for so many Mexican dishes, including enchiladas, tacos and tortilla dishes.

Why Is Cotija Cheese Different From Other Cheese?

This is because of the delicious salty flavor. It can also mimic the textures of a lot of different cheeses, including parmesan and feta. It also has a tanginess that is not present in a lot of bitter cheeses.

How Long Can I Store Cotija Cheese In The Fridge?

This cheese will keep for around 4-6 weeks in the fridge. However, you will need to ensure that it is kept in an airtight container to avoid bacteria from building. We would not recommend that you eat this cheese after that time.

How Long Can I Leave Cotija Cheese At Room Temperature?

You can leave it at around 2 hours at room temperature before the chemical composition starts to change and you lose a lot of the flavor.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you decide which meals are the best for you to prepare. Cotija cheese goes very well in a lot of Mexican dishes, especially ones that contain tomatoes. 

Try to pair cotija cheese with onion and vegetables too to counteract its heavy cholesterol content.