High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe
This High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is a creamy, delicious take on a classic comfort food, packed with protein from cottage cheese and rich cheddar. It features a smooth homemade cheese sauce that is blended and gently heated, offering a satisfying meal that’s both hearty and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni noodles
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup full fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be combined with the sauce later.
- Blend sauce: While the pasta is cooking, combine the full fat cottage cheese, whole milk, freshly grated cheddar cheese, arrowroot powder or cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper into a blender. Blend the mixture until smooth to create a creamy, lump-free cheese sauce.
- Heat sauce: Pour the blended cheese sauce into a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk continuously and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce is heated through and thickens slightly, taking care not to scorch the sauce.
- Combine: Add the drained macaroni noodles into the thickened cheese sauce and stir thoroughly to coat every piece of pasta. The sauce might appear thin initially but will continue to thicken as it rests. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired before serving.
Notes
- Arrowroot powder can be substituted with cornstarch for thickening the sauce.
- Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for the best melting texture and flavor.
- The sauce will thicken more as it cools, so if it seems thin at first, give it a few minutes to set.
- You can customize the spices to your preference, adding more garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor.
- This recipe provides a higher protein content due to the cottage cheese, making it a satisfying meal option.
Keywords: high protein mac and cheese, cottage cheese mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese recipe, protein packed dinner
