Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Or, use an immersion blender to blend it directly in its container.

Pour the vanilla protein shake into a large glass measuring cup. Then, add the blended cottage cheese, peppermint extract, sweetener, salt, and optional green food coloring.

Thoroughly whisk the ingredients until smooth and combined.

Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container. To help create a flat surface and avoid peaks, place a flat, freezer-safe lid that fits inside the container before securing the Ninja Creami lid. Then, add the Creami lid and freeze it overnight.

Remove the pint from the freezer along with the lids, install it in your Ninja Creami machine, and run the “Lite Ice Cream” setting.

The protein ice cream may look crumbly or powdery after the first spin. Just add a splash of almond milk or any milk you like, then re-spin using the “Lite Ice Cream” setting once or twice until it’s smooth and creamy.

Make a small well in the center of the ice cream and add the mini chocolate chips. After that, run the “Mix-In” cycle. Or, simply top with mini chocolate chips, and enjoy!