Creamy High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac & Cheese
This High Protein Mac & Cheese is the healthier version of your favorite comfort food! Made with a creamy cottage cheese sauce, it's packed with extra protein, takes less than 20 minutes to make, and is a total weeknight win. Plus it's gluten free thanks to the chickpea noodles (but shhh no one will ever know!)
Ingredients
- 1 box protein pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon paprika or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or more to taste; omit for easy to digest
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 -2 tablespoons butter
- 1-2 tablespoons milk only if needed if sauce is too thick
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for garnish, more if desired
Instructions
- Boil water and cook pasta according to package directions until pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce. In a food processor, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) & seasonings, minus the red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Melt butter & combine pasta. In a large pan over medium heat, melt 1–2 tablespoons of butter. Add cooked pasta and pour the cheese sauce over top.
- Stir gently over medium-low heat until warmed through and thickened slightly. If the sauce is too thick you can add a bit of milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. You can also add an additional ¼ cup of cheese here to make it extra gooey!
- Garnish & serve. Top with red pepper flakes and serve hot! You can also sprinkle with fresh parsley or a drizzle of hot honey if desired.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip the blender or food processor step; it’s what gives this healthy mac its ultra creamy texture.
- If the mac & cheese sauce is too thick, you can add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it thins out.
- Note that some brands of cottage cheese have more liquid in them than others. If you have a very liquidy cottage cheese but want a thicker sauce, use a slotted spoon to measure out the cottage cheese to strain some of the liquid out.
- For additional protein, you can stir in cooked chicken breast, ground beef or even crispy turkey bacon.
- Use lentil pasta or lupini bean pasta for extra grams of fiber and protein, without sacrificing pasta taste.
- Drizzle a little hot honey over the finished dish for a sweet & spicy flavor kick!
FAQs
How many grams of protein are in this high protein mac?Depending on your pasta and cheese brands, one serving has around 30–35g protein and about 8–10g fat. A great option for hitting your protein goals! Can I use regular pasta?
You can, but using a high protein pasta like Banza or lentil noodles gives you that extra protein without sacrificing flavor. Is this a good cottage cheese recipe for meal prep?
Yes! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to revive the creamy sauce.
Storage Tips
Let cool completely before storing. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat on medium-low heat with a splash of milk to keep the texture creamy. Tried this recipe?Mention @prettydeliciouslife or tag #PDLrecipes!