Cottage cheese – expansion’s not a problem. And if you’re getting a huge amount, like I assume a Costco container is, I’d dish it into zipper bags or the like. And as far as how long it keeps, everyone who knows me knows that one of my secret ingredients is freezer burn 😉 Seriously, no complaints, especially if I use it in say a lasagna.
About the pepper: you’re right, it is expensive, but when you can get it for half that sale price just a few months earlier, paying even $2/lb is painful.