Cottage cheese and ricotta cheese are both soft, fresh cheeses, but they're made differently. Cottage cheese comes from curds formed by heating milk, while ricotta is made from reheating the whey left over from making other cheeses. Now, cottage cheese vs. cream cheese: they're both creamy, but their textures and flavors differ. Cottage cheese has curds, making it a bit lumpy, while cream cheese is smooth and spreadable. Plus, cream cheese has a richer, tangier taste compared to cottage cheese.  For this cottage cheese toast recipe, feel free to use any soft, fresh cheese you prefer. I just love cottage cheese because it has tons of protein, so it helps me stay full for longer!