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This protein Mac and Cheese is the ultimate macro-friendly comfort food. Cheesy and embarrassingly delicious, this protein Mac and Cheese recipe has a secret ingredient: cottage cheese!
Last Saturday I went to the grocery store because I had run out of yogurt. I promised myself to get just the yogurt, but as always it didn’t happen. On my way to the checkout, a package of macaroni caught my attention. I’d been looking for that pasta shape for months. And it was spelt! So I put it on my trolley and left Aldi with a smile on my face.
Time to make dinner, I asked my girlfriend if she had any craving. She instantly replied “Cottage cheese!”, which to be honest I was already expecting. Lately we’ve been both obsessed with cottage cheese. From Syrniki protein pancakes to protein chocolate mousse, we’ve been eating cottage cheese in every shape and form. Or almost. In the mood for something different, I used the macaroni and made this protein Mac and Cheese with cottage cheese. So good!
Ingredients for protein Mac And Cheese
High protein Mac and Cheese with cottage cheese! Sounds quite obvious, doesn’t it?
Well, besides cottage cheese you just need a handful of simple ingredients to make a high protein cottage cheese macaroni dish. A handful of healthy, basic and affordable ingredients that you can get from any grocery store. Keep on reading for all details!
- Pasta: elbows, macaroni or short pasta.
- Cottage cheese: this protein Mac and Cheese recipe can be prepared with either full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese. Although both are great, the full-fat version will give a richer taste.
- Cheddar cheese: use low-fat or normal cheddar cheese, also grated mozzarella or Parmesan cheese work.
- Parmesan cheese: this cottage cheese macaroni recipe uses a mix of cottage and Parmesan cheese. If you don’t have it – or don’t like it –, replace with more cheddar or shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Preferred milk: skimmed or semi-skimmed milk have fewer calories, you can also replace with dairy-free options.
- Preferred flour: make this high protein cottage cheese Mac and Cheese with any flour you like. For a healthier macaroni dish and more protein I used chickpea flour, but also all-purposes flour is great.
- Salt and pepper: add as much as you like and you’ll make the most delicious macro-friendly Mac and Cheese!
- Olive oil: this makes the pasta rich and crispy.
How to add more protein
For cottage cheese macaroni that are higher in protein, you can add to this dish your favorite source of protein. Here are some options that I like adding. Pick and choose your favorite!
- Chicken breast
- Minced chicken
- Minced meat
- Sausages
- Tempeh
- Tofu
How to make cottage cheese macaroni
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions recommend (as the pasta will cook further in the oven). Once it is cooked, drain, transfer to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the protein Mac and Cheese sauce. In a food processor, combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, flour, milk, olive oil, salt and pepper (to taste). Blend until you get a smooth cream.
Add the cheesy cream to a pan together with the cooked pasta (and optionally cooked chicken, meat or tofu). Give it a good stir until all is combined and cook over low to medium heat until the cottage cheese sauce has thickened. Adjust with more salt and pepper if it is necessary.
Transfer the protein Mac and Cheese to a baking dish greased with cooking spray, sprinkle the top with more cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake cottage cheese Mac and Cheese in hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 180ºC (360ºF) until the cheese has melted and the top is crispy.
How to store protein Mac And Cheese
Let any leftover cool completely before storing. Once it is completely cooled, transfer the macro-friendly Mac and Cheese to an airtight food container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan or oven prior to serving.
Tips for the making Mac and Cheese with cottage cheese
Make sure you read through these recipe tips and you’ll whip up the most delicious Mac and Cheese ever!
- Cook the pasta until al dente, better if you cook it for around one to two minutes less than the package directions recommend. The pasta will cook further in the oven!
- Do not skip the olive oil (on top too). It will make your Mac and Cheese so rich and crispy!
- Do not cook the cottage cheese protein sauce at high temperatures, otherwise it starts boiling. Cook over low to medium heat, instead!
- Sprinkle some more cheese on top of your pasta dish before baking. Your healthy Mac and Cheese will come out sinfully delicious!
- Feel free to add any extra seasoning you like: garlic powder, onion powder or smoked paprika to name a few.
More macro-friendly pasta recipes
- Healthy Tuscan chicken pasta
- 15 minutes spinach pasta chicken
- Low calorie Alfredo pasta
- Macro-friendly pesto pasta
Protein Mac and Cheese with Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
- 140 grams (5 oz.) macaroni
- 200 grams (1 cup) cottage cheese
- 20 grams (2 tbsp) cheddar cheese
- 20 grams (2 tbsp) Parmesan cheese, or more cheddar
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) preferred milk
- 1 tbsp preferred flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Protein Option
- chicken, preferred meat or tofu, cooked and diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180ºC (360ºF).
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions recommend (the pasta will cook further in the oven). Once it is cooked, drain, transfer to a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the protein Mac and Cheese sauce. In a food processor, combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, flour, milk, olive oil, salt and pepper (to taste). Blend until you get a smooth cream.
- Add the cheesy cream to a pan together with the cooked pasta (and optionally cooked chicken, meat or tofu). Give it a good stir until all is combined and cook over low to medium heat until the cottage cheese sauce has thickened. Adjust with more salt and pepper if it is necessary.
- Transfer the protein Mac and Cheese to a baking dish greased with cooking spray, sprinkle the top with more cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake the cottage cheese Mac and Cheese in hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 180ºC (360ºF) until the cheese has melted and the top is crispy. Serve warm and enjoy!
Where have I been all my life and why have I only just discovered your page now?! Thank you my friend for all the effort you have gone to, to produce this astonishingly amazing content, even going as far as to provide the macro breakdown. Truly appreciated.
Hey my dear Rahima,
thanks a LOT for your kind feedback. I am incredibly happy to hear that you appreciate my content so much. Thank you, thank you, and once again thank you. You truly made my day 😉
I wish you a fantastic weekend,
Matteo
I have made this several times. My hubby even likes it. I add tuna to up the protein and peas to give it some color.
Hey dear Marge,
thank you very much for your nice comment. I am sooo happy you liked this recipe, and I love your extra additions. Great choice!!
I wish you a successful day,
Matteo
We make this mac and cheese once a week. It easily works with our macros and its delicious!
Hey dear Lizzy,
thank you so much for your nice feedback. I am incredibly glad to hear you like this recipe. It is definitely a great macro-friendly recipe!!
All the best,
Matteo