1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (from nine 4 3/4- by 2 1/4-inch crackers)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 lb whole-milk cottage cheese
3 large eggs
2/3 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 9-inch glass pie plate.

Stir together crumbs, butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt with a rubber spatula until combined well. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom and side of pie plate. Chill crust 10 minutes.

Stir together remaining ingredients (including 1/2 cup sugar), then pour into crust. Bake until filling is puffed, pale golden, and lightly set, about 1 hour.

Cool to warm on a rack, about 30 minutes.