Protein-packed Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with Cottage Cheese

High-Protein Mac and Cheese
Who doesn't love macaroni and cheese? This healthier homemade version is a family favorite in our house—packed with protein, rich and creamy, and with a surprising twist that’ll have you reaching for seconds!

According to my teen, he said the macaroni and cheese was 'good'—and asked for seconds before he even took his first bite!

• Total cook time: Less than 15 minutes
• Family-friendly: Yes, all three of us enjoyed it!
• Difficulty level:  Intermediate
• Serving suggestions: This macaroni and cheese pairs wonderfully with crispy roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, or even a chilled glass of white wine for an extra touch of indulgence. For those looking for more protein, you can also serve it with grilled chicken or a hearty side of steamed broccoli. For a lighter vegetarian option, you can also serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh, simple salad.

How Cottage Cheese Enhances Mac and Cheese
The surprise ingredient in this recipe is cottage cheese. No one in my family liked cottage cheese before, but they wiped their plates clean after tasting it! It’s creamy, adds protein, calcium, and is low in fat and carbs. I used 1.5% milkfat, low-fat cottage cheese, but feel free to swap it for your favorite variety, like Greek yogurt or ricotta, for different textures and flavors!

The original recipe used high protein noodles so feel free to swap out macaroni noodles with high protein. We eliminated salt as I don't ever add extra salt. Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. You can add different vegetables or proteins, you can also swap out ingredients to make it your own.

If you enjoy macaroni and cheese, you may also want to try my Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese or my Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and  Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken and Crispy Breadcrumbs.

Vegan and Low-Calorie Variations of Mac and Cheese
• Vegan Option: For a dairy-free version, swap out the cheese for vegan cheese, and use dairy-free yogurt or cashew cream in place of the cottage cheese. For extra flavor, you could also add nutritional yeast instead of the cheddar cheese blend.
• Low-Calorie Option: You could reduce the cheese blend and use a reduced-fat cottage cheese. For a lighter, lower-calorie version, consider using whole wheat pasta or zucchini noodles in place of traditional macaroni.

Ingredients for Healthier Macaroni and Cheese
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• 1.5 cups macaroni shell pasta (you can also swap out for this *Protein+ Penne Pasta)
• 1.5 cups Simply Go triple cheddar cheese blend (we bought outs from Grocery Outlet but you can swap this out for your cheddar cheese of choice)
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2-3 slides of Canadian bacon (You can swap the Canadian bacon for regular bacon or *Bacon Bits, or add your favorite protein such as grilled chicken for an extra punch of flavor)
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tbsp flour
• A few tsp pepper (Adjust the amount of pepper to your liking for a more or less peppery flavor)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mac and Cheese with Cottage Cheese
Step #1 Cook noodles according to package directions, about 5-6 minutes. Be sure not to overcook the pasta as it will continue to cook once added to the sauce. Drain water, strain pasta, and add it back to the pot.                                         

Step #2 Add shredded cheese, cottage cheese, milk, corn starch, flour, and pepper to a blender. Blend on low speed until the mixture is just combined. Be sure to leave it a little textured—not too smooth, so it’s still creamy.

Step #3 Cook Canadian bacon on medium heat, 3-5 minutes, flipping every 30 seconds. 

Step #4 Add blended mixture to pasta and boil. Once boiling, turn down heat to low and simmer for a few minutes. Keep an eye on the texture of the sauce as it simmers. It should be creamy and coat the pasta without being too thick.

Note: I ended up moving the pasta and cheese mixture to a bigger pan. I suggest using a big pan to start.

Step #5 Add pasta mixture to bowls. My son topped his with bacon bits. 

Step #6 Top with Canadian bacon and enjoy your macaroni and cheese!

And just to show how good this is, my son cleared his bowl clean!

Storage & Reheating Tip
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or on the stovetop with a splash of milk for an even creamier texture. For longer storage, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop when you’re ready to enjoy!

Did You Make This?
If you made this protein-packed mac and cheese, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment, review, or rate the recipe below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and it shows me which recipes you want to see more of.

If you enjoyed this healthy mac and cheese recipe, or want to try other pasta recipes, here are some you can check out:
Easy Chicken Lo Mein
Creamy Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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