Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of our Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese, a wholesome twist on a classic comfort dish. This recipe combines creamy cottage cheese with sharp cheddar, delivering an impressive 23g of protein per serving. It’s not only a satisfying meal for busy weeknights but also perfect for family gatherings or meal prep. With its rich, cheesy sauce coating every elbow of higher fiber macaroni, this mac and cheese is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Enjoy it as a main course or serve it alongside fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry higher fiber macaroni elbows
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp reserved pasta water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions; drain and reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water.
- Blend cottage cheese, milk, nutritional yeast, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and onion powder until smooth.
- In a small bowl, whisk together reserved pasta water and cornstarch until combined.
- Heat the blended cheese sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until simmering. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook for about 5 minutes to thicken.
- Mix in the cooked pasta until well coated in the creamy sauce. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: For added flavor and texture, consider stirring in steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts. Customize your mac and cheese with spices or additional vegetables like spinach or jalapeños for extra kick.