National Dairy Month is just around the corner! I’m highlighting some of my favorite ways to use dairy in creative, unique ways for summertime cooking. Enjoy this roundup of the best dairy recipes for summer from dietitians, bloggers, and the people who work to bring delicious dairy products to our tables!

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Midwest Dairy. I was compensated for my time.

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It’s almost June, and that can only mean one thing in the world of dairy: National Dairy Month is almost here! I’ve been a life-long lover of all things dairy (if anyone has seen my posts for #CaraEatsAnIceCreamCone you know what I mean) but I have other reasons to support it, too. And thanks to some close family members, I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand how much work and care goes into owning and operating a dairy. As with anything these days, it seems there’s a dedicated month or day to celebrate and when it comes to these delicious ingredients, I’m on board!

I compiled some of my all-time favorite recipes for National Dairy Month using milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, kefir, and cream. You can find all of these in my kitchen at any given time (plus…you know. All the ice cream).

Best Recipes with Milk

There is no shortage of great recipes featuring milk, but I wanted to highlight these homemade pudding recipes that are a bit different than how we typically use milk.

Fresh Strawberry Pudding – Domestic Dreamboat

Homemade Pistachio Pudding – Domestic Dreamboat

There’s also the option to bake with milk, like I did in this easy-prep brunch recipe:

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole – Street Smart Nutrition

Milk can also go savory with recipes like these:

Cheese Scalloped Potatoes – Lively Table

Creamy Asparagus Soup – Nourish Nutrition Co.

Finally, here’s a simple way to take fluid milk and turn it into yogurt!

Instant Pot Yogurt – Dance Around the Kitchen

Best Recipes with Yogurt

Yogurt is always a favorite because of its smooth, creamy texture and great flavor. But it’s also obvious that part of its popularity is due to its versatility! Take a look at this small sampling of ways that yogurt can be used in meals and snacks.

Starting with breakfast options, including the convenient meal prep options for overnight oats:

Breakfast Pizza on Greek Yogurt Curst – The Gourmet RD

Overnight Chia Pudding – This Farm Girl Cooks (Milk, yogurt)

Peaches & Cream Overnight Oats – Street Smart Nutrition (yogurt)

Berry Cherry Overnight Oats – Street Smart Nutrition

Blueberry Coconut Overnight Oats – Street Smart Nutrition

Rhubarb Compote and Easy Rhubarb Parfait – Domestic Dreamboat

There are also savory options that can work for lunches, dinner, and entertaining:

Roast Beef & Whipped Feta Toast – The Nutrition Adventure

Pasta with Shredded Squash and Yogurt Sauce – Rachael Hartley Nutrition

Easy, Creamy Veggies Dip with Greek Yogurt, Kale, and Bell Peppers – Spicy RD Nutrition

For those with a sweet tooth, there are delicious, decadent treats like these:

Panna Cotta – Lauren Lane Culinarian and Kansas Farm Food Connection

Granola Fruit Pizza – Your Choice Nutrition

Peanut Butter Yogurt Cookies with Dark Chocolate – The Gourmet RD

There’s also the option to turn yogurt into a frozen summertime treat. Don’t be intimidated, these recipes walk you through the easy step-by-step process to make your own DIY and homemade popsicles out of yogurt!

Yogurt Parfait Breakfast Pops – Lively Table

Frozen Homemade Yogurt Tubes – Real Mom Nutrition

Cherry Greek Yogurt Homemade Popsicles – Hungry Hobby

Best Recipes with Kefir

A close cousin of yogurt, kefir is another fermented dairy product that can provide great flavor, a creamy texture, and a boost of probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome. Here are some delicious ways to use it, including baking it into breakfast pancakes!

Banana Chai Smoothie – Street Smart Nutrition

Strawberry Kefir Smoothie – Jessica Levinson

Kefir Overnight Oats – Tara Rochford Nutrition

Pink Pancakes – CNC Abbie Gellman

Peanut Butter Kefir Pancakes – Kara Lydon Nutrition

Best Recipes with Cottage Cheese

I’ll openly admit cottage cheese was not always a kitchen staple for me. But I really changed my tune when I saw how versatile it could be for cooking. Now, one of my favorite ways to use it is to boost the protein content of smoothies like I did with this recipe:

Wild Blueberry Ginger Peach Smoothie – Street Smart Nutrition

There are also many other ways to use this nutritious dairy ingredient in sweet and savory dishes:

Mango Coconut Soft Serve – Liz’s Healthy Table

Cottage Cheese Pancakes – Dance Around the Kitchen

Kid-Friendly Mac and Cheese – CNC Abbie Gellman

Southwestern Cauliflower Rice Casserole – Jessica Levinson

Baked Spaghetti – Create Kids Club with Jodi Danen

Egg Muffins – Living Well Kitchen with Meme Inge

Best Recipes with Cream or Half & Half

Finally, there is the option to switch to cream or half & half to really maximize the creamy component of dairy. These recipes prove that cream and half & half can be used for so much more than coffee to start your day!

Rhubarb No-Churn Ice Cream – Dance Around the Kitchen

Lavender Infused Milk and Honey Cocktail – Street Smart Nutrition

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup – Street Smart Nutrition

Easy Chicken Saag – Street Smart Nutrition

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As we head into National Dairy Month, check out the other recipe ideas from Kansas Food Farm Connection and Midwest Dairy to inspire you in the kitchen.

What is your favorite ways to enjoy dairy during the summertime?