High Protein Mac and Cheese
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This High Protein Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food made lighter! It's creamy, cheesy, and packed with protein thanks to cottage cheese and shredded white cheddar. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep, this healthier mac and cheese recipe comes together fast and satisfies every craving.
If you're looking for another delicious protein pasta recipe, be sure to check out my High Protein Pasta!
Quick Look: High Protein Mac and Cheese
- 🕒 Total Time: 25 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 8
- 📊 Calories: 262 per serving
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Packed with Protein: Cottage cheese and sharp white cheddar give this mac and cheese a serious protein boost, keeping you full and satisfied.
- Easy High Protein Side Dish: This recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients, making it the perfect higher-protein side to pair with weeknight dinners.
- Creamy Comfort Without the Guilt Rich, cheesy, and comforting, but with a healthier twist that makes indulgence feel a little healthier!
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Select Ingredients
- Cottage cheese - I use 4% cottage cheese in mine and feel that a thicker cottage cheese gives it more of a creamy thickness.
- Milk - You can use whichever kind you'd like but keep in mind thinner milks will cause the sauce to be slightly thinner.
- Macaroni noodles - You can swap out with the noodle of your choice here. Small shells, rotini, and chickpea pasta work great too!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Adjust the Creaminess - The sauce thickens as it cools, so if it feels too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk to loosen it up. For a thicker, richer sauce, whisk the flour with the melted butter before adding the liquids - it creates a quick roux that helps the sauce cling to the pasta. This step is a must in my opinion!
➡️ Don't Overheat the Cheese Sauce - If overheated, the dairy products can curdle slightly - keep the cheese sauce on low-medium heat while thickening and melting the shredded cheese.
➡️ Make It Baked - Once completely made, spread the mac and cheese in a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle with additional shredded cheese and breadcrumbs. Broil for just a few minutes until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs are gently toasted.
How To Make This High Protein Mac and Cheese
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: While water is boiling, mix cheese sauce base. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, and seasonings. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Step 4: Slowly pour in the blended cottage cheese mixture, whisking until smooth and warmed through.
Step 5: Lower the heat and stir in shredded white cheddar until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Step 6: Add drained, cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until evenly coated.
This mac and cheese already packs a protein punch from the cottage cheese and cheddar, but you can easily boost it by adding in cooked shredded chicken! You can also use chickpea or lentil pasta for an extra protein boost.
Absolutely! Sharp white cheddar gives the best balance of creaminess and flavor in my opinion, but feel free to mix in regular cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, Monterey Jack, or a little parmesan!
The sauce naturally thickens as it cools. If it feels too thick, stir in a bit of warm milk to loosen it up. If it's too thin, cook it over low heat for a few extra minutes or whisk in a little more cheese to thicken it up. Be sure not to overheat the cottage cheese - that can affect the texture.
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Other Delicious Pasta Recipes
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High Protein Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz Elbow macaroni
- 1 cup Cottage cheese 4% fat
- ¾ cup Milk 2%
- 1 ½ cup Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika regular
- ½ teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Ground mustard
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While water is boiling, mix cheese sauce base. In a blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and mustard. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly pour in the blended cottage cheese mixture, whisking until smooth and warmed through.
- Lower the heat and stir in shredded white cheddar until melted and velvety. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until evenly coated. Add a splash of milk if the sauce gets too thick.
- Optional: Top with breadcrumbs and broil until bread crumbs are crispy.
We love this high protein mac and cheese! My middle daughter thinks it tastes like it came straight from a restaurant!