Kluski z Serem – Polish Cottage Cheese and Noodles
Cottage cheese is one of the most underrated comfort foods. Unlike many “diet” cheeses, it’s naturally low in fat but still full of creamy flavor — proof that healthy doesn’t have to taste like sadness.
What makes cottage cheese special is its versatility. In fact, anywhere you’d use ricotta, you can swap in cottage cheese for a lighter but equally satisfying result.
One of the most beloved examples is Kluski z Serem, or Polish cottage cheese and noodles. This dish is simple, budget-friendly, kid-approved, and deeply comforting — the kind of meal that feels like home.
Unlike smooth ricotta, cottage cheese keeps its curd texture in the sauce. That little bit of bite gives the dish more character, making every forkful creamy, rich, and a little rustic.
COTTAGE CHEESE AND NOODLES (KLUSKI Z SEREM) Ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion,diced
- Egg noodles(any noodle can work)
- Cottage cheese
- Sour cream
- Sea salt & black pepper
- American bacon*optional
- Red chili flakes*optional
- Nutmeg*optional
COTTAGE CHEESE AND NOODLES (KLUSKI Z SEREM) is super easy to make
- Cook onion in the butter until golden, Boil water with a pinch of salt in a large pot.
- Cooks noodles as directed
- Combine noodles with butter and onion mixture, cottage cheese, sour cream, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Heat until the mixture is warm
Why Cottage Cheese and Noodles Works
What makes Kluski z Serem (Cottage Cheese and Noodles) so special is its flexibility — it can go sweet or savory with almost no effort.
Quick & practical: The dish comes together in minutes and is perfect for using up leftover noodles or cheese.
Flexible with cheese: While cottage cheese is the classic, you can swap in fresh farmer’s cheese if you’re lucky enough to find it at a local shop.
Any noodles work: Egg noodles are traditional, but macaroni, penne, or whatever’s in your pantry will do.
Savory version: Stir in salt, pepper, and herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano.
Sweet version: Try cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, or honey for a dessert-like twist.
The result is always creamy, cheesy, and buttery, with just the right amount of rustic texture from the cottage cheese curds.
Cottage Cheese and Noodles Tips & Tricks
Cook pasta al dente: Follow the package instructions, but stop while the noodles still have a little bite. If they’re too soft, they’ll turn mushy once mixed with the cheese and butter.
Butter matters: Drain the noodles well, then toss them with butter until coated. Margarine, olive oil, or vegan butter also work if you’re adapting.
Texture choice: Stir in cottage cheese as-is for rustic curds, or blend it in a food processor for a smoother sauce. No cottage cheese? Ricotta, cream cheese, or farmer’s cheese make good substitutes.
Serving styles: Enjoy hot for comfort food, warm for a quick dinner, or even cold as a pasta salad-style dish. A little extra butter or shredded cheese on top makes it indulgent.
👉 Whether you make it sweet or savory, this is one of those Polish comfort food classics that works as both a main course or a side dish.
Polish Noodles (Cottage Cheese and Noodles) Kluski z Serem
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 16 oz egg noodles 16 ounce package (any noodle will work)
- 16 oz cottage cheese 16 ounce package tub
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 6 strips American bacon *optional
- 1 tsp red chili flakes *optional
- 1 dash nutmeg *optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Cook onion in the butter, stirring occasionally, until golden, 10-12 minutes.
- In a large pot, boil some water with a pinch of salt.
- Add the egg noodles and stir them from time to time until they are tender but still have some bite, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
- Drain the noodles and put them back in the pot.
- Combine the noodles with the butter and onion mixture, cottage cheese, sour cream, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Heat the pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm, about 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Cottage Cheese and Noodles. Pairs well with:
