Looking for a delicious twist on classic mac and cheese? You’re in for a treat! In this Protein Cottage Cheese Mac & Cheese recipe, we blend wholesome ingredients like cottage cheese and sharp cheddar for a creamy, protein-packed dish. Whether you’re meal prepping or serving a family dinner, this delightful recipe is both satisfying and easy. Join me as we dive into this tasty creation that’s sure to become a favorite!

$- 8 ounces whole grain elbow macaroni - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese - 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese - 2 cups unsweetened almond milk or regular milk - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - Seasoning options: garlic powder, onion powder - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped This dish starts with whole grain elbow macaroni. It gives a hearty base. I love using low-fat cottage cheese for creaminess without too many calories. Sharp cheddar cheese adds that bold flavor we crave. You can't forget about the Parmesan—it's key for that savory kick. If you want a creamier sauce, add almond milk or regular milk. Unsalted butter helps build flavor in the base. Garlic powder and onion powder can really elevate this dish. They add depth and aroma. To finish, chop fresh parsley for a bright touch. It looks nice and adds a fresh taste. Each ingredient plays a role in making this dish special and satisfying. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add 8 ounces of whole grain elbow macaroni. Cook according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. This usually takes around 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the macaroni well and set it aside. Make sure it doesn’t stick together. In the same pot, reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt completely. Once melted, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to create a roux. Be careful not to let it brown. Next, gradually whisk in 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Lower the heat even more and add 1 cup of cottage cheese, 1 cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese. Stir the mixture until all the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Then, season with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are combined. Finally, add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is coated in the cheesy goodness. To prevent pasta from sticking, make sure to add enough salt to the boiling water. Salt adds flavor and helps keep the pasta separate. Stir the pasta during the first few minutes of cooking. This keeps it from clumping together. To ensure a smooth cheese sauce, whisk the almond milk in slowly. If you pour it in too fast, you’ll get lumps. Stir constantly as the sauce thickens. This helps blend all the flavors well. For a boost of flavor, try adding herbs like thyme or spices such as paprika. A dash of cayenne pepper can give it a nice kick. These simple additions can lift the dish from good to great. To adjust creaminess, you can mix in more cottage cheese or milk. If you want it thicker, add more cheese. Play around with the amounts until you find your perfect balance. Serving in ramekins makes the dish look fancy and fun. You can add extra cheese on top for a great look. Broil them for a few minutes to create a crispy top. This adds a nice texture contrast to the creamy pasta. {{image_4}} You can switch up the cheeses in this recipe. Try mozzarella for a milder taste. Cream cheese adds a rich texture. You can also use Greek yogurt. It gives a creamy flavor and adds protein. For a gluten-free option, use brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta. These alternatives work well and keep the dish tasty. Always check the package for cooking times. Add fresh veggies to your mac and cheese. Spinach and broccoli work great. They add color and nutrients. Just steam them lightly before mixing in. You can also boost protein. Add shredded chicken or ground turkey. Both options make it more filling. Cook the meat first, then mix it in with the pasta. If you want a different approach, try a slow cooker. Combine all the ingredients and cook on low for about 3 hours. This method makes it easy and hands-off. Another option is oven-baked mac & cheese. Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top with more cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. This gives a crunchy top. After making your protein cottage cheese mac & cheese, let it cool. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the dish fresh. Store it in the refrigerator. It can last up to four days. To make it last longer, avoid putting hot mac & cheese in the fridge. Let it cool first. This helps prevent moisture buildup and keeps it from getting soggy. You can freeze mac & cheese for longer storage. First, let it cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. You can also use freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. When you want to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of milk to keep it creamy and smooth. How long can you store leftovers? In the fridge, your mac & cheese lasts about four days. If you freeze it, it can last up to three months. Always check for any off smells or changes in texture before eating. Enjoy this delightful dish anytime, knowing it stays fresh for a good while! The best cheese for mac and cheese is sharp cheddar. It gives a bold flavor. You can also use mild cheddar for a softer taste. Gruyère adds a nice nutty twist. A mix of cheeses works well too. Try combining cheddar with mozzarella for extra stretch. Parmesan brings a salty kick when used as a topping. Yes, cottage cheese is a great substitute for traditional cheese. It adds protein and creaminess. Cottage cheese has fewer calories than many other cheeses. It also has calcium and can help with muscle health. Using it makes your mac and cheese lighter and more nutritious. You can use low-fat cottage cheese for a healthier option. To make mac and cheese creamier, use more cheese. A mix of cheeses will enhance creaminess. Adding a splash of cream or extra milk helps too. Stir in some butter for richness. You can also add a little flour to the cheese sauce to thicken it. For an extra creamy texture, blend the cottage cheese before adding it to the sauce. You learned how to make a delicious mac and cheese from scratch. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tasty variations. Don’t forget the cooking tips for extra creaminess and how to store your dish. Feel free to adjust flavors and add ingredients to match your taste. Enjoy experimenting with different cheeses and toppings. Now you can impress everyone with your creamy dish! Dive in and create your perfect mac and cheese today.$

Ingredients

Main Ingredients List

– 8 ounces whole grain elbow macaroni

– 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

– 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

– 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Additions

– 2 cups unsweetened almond milk or regular milk

– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

– Seasoning options: garlic powder, onion powder

Garnishing Ingredients

– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

This dish starts with whole grain elbow macaroni. It gives a hearty base. I love using low-fat cottage cheese for creaminess without too many calories. Sharp cheddar cheese adds that bold flavor we crave. You can’t forget about the Parmesan—it’s key for that savory kick.

If you want a creamier sauce, add almond milk or regular milk. Unsalted butter helps build flavor in the base. Garlic powder and onion powder can really elevate this dish. They add depth and aroma.

To finish, chop fresh parsley for a bright touch. It looks nice and adds a fresh taste. Each ingredient plays a role in making this dish special and satisfying.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Pasta

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add 8 ounces of whole grain elbow macaroni. Cook according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. This usually takes around 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the macaroni well and set it aside. Make sure it doesn’t stick together.

Preparing the Cheese Sauce

In the same pot, reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt completely. Once melted, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to create a roux. Be careful not to let it brown. Next, gradually whisk in 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Combining Ingredients

Lower the heat even more and add 1 cup of cottage cheese, 1 cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese. Stir the mixture until all the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Then, season with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are combined. Finally, add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is coated in the cheesy goodness.

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Tips

To prevent pasta from sticking, make sure to add enough salt to the boiling water. Salt adds flavor and helps keep the pasta separate. Stir the pasta during the first few minutes of cooking. This keeps it from clumping together.

To ensure a smooth cheese sauce, whisk the almond milk in slowly. If you pour it in too fast, you’ll get lumps. Stir constantly as the sauce thickens. This helps blend all the flavors well.

Flavor Enhancement

For a boost of flavor, try adding herbs like thyme or spices such as paprika. A dash of cayenne pepper can give it a nice kick. These simple additions can lift the dish from good to great.

To adjust creaminess, you can mix in more cottage cheese or milk. If you want it thicker, add more cheese. Play around with the amounts until you find your perfect balance.

Presentation Suggestions

Serving in ramekins makes the dish look fancy and fun. You can add extra cheese on top for a great look. Broil them for a few minutes to create a crispy top. This adds a nice texture contrast to the creamy pasta.

Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

You can switch up the cheeses in this recipe. Try mozzarella for a milder taste. Cream cheese adds a rich texture. You can also use Greek yogurt. It gives a creamy flavor and adds protein.

For a gluten-free option, use brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta. These alternatives work well and keep the dish tasty. Always check the package for cooking times.

Flavor Variations

Add fresh veggies to your mac and cheese. Spinach and broccoli work great. They add color and nutrients. Just steam them lightly before mixing in.

You can also boost protein. Add shredded chicken or ground turkey. Both options make it more filling. Cook the meat first, then mix it in with the pasta.

Cooking Methods

If you want a different approach, try a slow cooker. Combine all the ingredients and cook on low for about 3 hours. This method makes it easy and hands-off.

Another option is oven-baked mac & cheese. Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top with more cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. This gives a crunchy top.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

After making your protein cottage cheese mac & cheese, let it cool. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the dish fresh. Store it in the refrigerator. It can last up to four days. To make it last longer, avoid putting hot mac & cheese in the fridge. Let it cool first. This helps prevent moisture buildup and keeps it from getting soggy.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze mac & cheese for longer storage. First, let it cool completely. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. You can also use freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. When you want to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of milk to keep it creamy and smooth.

Shelf Life

How long can you store leftovers? In the fridge, your mac & cheese lasts about four days. If you freeze it, it can last up to three months. Always check for any off smells or changes in texture before eating. Enjoy this delightful dish anytime, knowing it stays fresh for a good while!

FAQs

What type of cheese works best for mac & cheese?

The best cheese for mac and cheese is sharp cheddar. It gives a bold flavor. You can also use mild cheddar for a softer taste. Gruyère adds a nice nutty twist. A mix of cheeses works well too. Try combining cheddar with mozzarella for extra stretch. Parmesan brings a salty kick when used as a topping.

Is cottage cheese a good substitute for traditional cheese?

Yes, cottage cheese is a great substitute for traditional cheese. It adds protein and creaminess. Cottage cheese has fewer calories than many other cheeses. It also has calcium and can help with muscle health. Using it makes your mac and cheese lighter and more nutritious. You can use low-fat cottage cheese for a healthier option.

How can I make mac & cheese creamier?

To make mac and cheese creamier, use more cheese. A mix of cheeses will enhance creaminess. Adding a splash of cream or extra milk helps too. Stir in some butter for richness. You can also add a little flour to the cheese sauce to thicken it. For an extra creamy texture, blend the cottage cheese before adding it to the sauce.

You learned how to make a delicious mac and cheese from scratch. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tasty variations. Don’t forget the cooking tips for extra creaminess and how to store your dish. Feel free to adjust flavors and add ingredients to match your taste. Enjoy experimenting with different cheeses and toppings. Now you can impress everyone with your creamy dish! Dive in and create your perfect mac and cheese today.

Protein Cottage Cheese Mac & Cheese

Indulge in a healthier twist on a classic favorite with this Nutritious Cottage Cheese Mac & Cheese! Packed with protein and flavor, this creamy dish features whole grain elbow macaroni, cottage cheese, and a blend of sharp cheddar and Parmesan. Easy to make in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for a cozy family dinner. Click through for the full recipe and tips to elevate your mac and cheese game!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces whole grain elbow macaroni

1 cup cottage cheese (choose low-fat for a lighter option or regular for creaminess)

1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or substitute with regular milk for richness)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring a generous amount of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well, then set aside, ensuring it doesn’t stick together.

Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In the same pot, reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter. Allow it to melt completely, then sprinkle in the all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to create a roux, ensuring it doesn’t brown.

Incorporate Milk: Gradually whisk in the almond milk, ensuring a smooth mixture free of lumps. Continue to cook, stirring regularly, until the sauce thickens—this should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the Cheeses: Lower the heat further and carefully stir in the cottage cheese followed by the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan. Keep mixing until all the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.

Season the Sauce: Enhance the flavor by adding garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.

Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni into the luxurious cheese sauce. Gently stir until the pasta is well coated and completely enveloped by the cheesy goodness.

Serve: Spoon generous portions of the mac and cheese into bowls. For a fresh touch, garnish each serving with a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

- Presentation Tips: For an appealing presentation, consider serving the mac and cheese in individual ramekins topped with an extra sprinkle of cheese and broiling for a few minutes for a golden crust.