When winter weather hits, it's time to break out this recipe for high-protein cottage cheese mac and cheese.
Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Published on Oct. 24, 2024
Decadently rich and creamy, homemade cottage cheese mac and cheese is made even better than other mac and cheese dishes with the addition of salty, tangy cottage cheese. Boasting deliciously nuanced flavors, this mac and cheese is far superior to the boxed versions. In addition to cottage cheese and two kinds of cheddar, this recipe calls for a medley of seasonings including garlic and onion powder, paprika and ground mustard, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish. If you’re looking for a delectable mac and cheese recipe, you’ve found it.
Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Elbow macaroni:Â The hollow center and ridged shape of elbow macaroni helps it hold the sauce well.
- Cottage cheese:Â Not only does cottage cheese add a lovely tanginess to this mac and cheese, but it’s also high in protein.
- Butter:Â When combined with flour and milk, melted butter yields a smooth, uniform (and rich-tasting) sauce.
- All-purpose flour:Â Learn how to accurately measure flour so that your sauce doesn’t come out too gummy (which can happen if you add too much).
- Milk:Â While our recipe calls for 2% milk, feel free to use half-and-half, almond milk or another milk of your choice.
- Seasonings: We use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard and paprika to season this mac and cheese, for an earthy, well-spiced flavor.
- Cheese: Using a combo of sharp and mild cheddar results in a perfectly creamy texture and strong (but not too strong) flavor.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain; set aside.
Step 2: Blend the cottage cheese
In a food processor or blender, blend the cottage cheese until smooth.
Step 3: Make the sauce
In a large sauce pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Gradually add in the milk; cook until thickened, three to four minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, mustard and paprika. Add the cottage cheese and cheddar cheeses and cook until the cheese is melted. Stir in the cooked macaroni.
Step 4: Bake
Transfer the mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Editor’s Tip: Don’t overbake this dish! The cheese mixture can become dry and the noodles mushy.
Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Variations
- Top with bread crumbs: Toasted, seasoned bread crumbs really take this dish over the edge. You don’t need to cover mac and cheese if you’re using bread crumbs. Covering the dish could prevent the bread crumbs from getting crispy and golden.
- Use a different pasta type:Â Aside from elbow macaroni, other pasta types that work well in homemade mac and cheese are penne, cavatappi, rigatoni and fusilli. Because they’re hollow and tubular, these pasta shapes help the noodles catch as much cheese sauce as possible.
How to Store Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
This dish is really best eaten on the day it’s made. If you do have leftovers, they’ll stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm the leftovers in a baking dish in the oven (covered with foil) until heated through.
How long does cottage cheese mac and cheese last?
This dish will last for a couple of days when stored properly.
Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Tips
Do I have to preboil the pasta for cottage cheese mac and cheese?
Yes, but it’s best to cook the pasta until al dente since it’ll cook further in the oven, absorbing the liquid from all the dairy products.
What should I serve with cottage cheese mac and cheese?
Since this is a rich, hearty dish, we like pairing it with plenty of fresh greens in the form of garlic-roasted broccoli or green beans and a big, leafy salad.
Is cottage cheese good for you?
Yes. Cottage cheese is very protein-rich. This high-protein mac and cheese is more nutritious than most other homemade mac and cheese dishes.
Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
15 min
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup 2% cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain; set aside.
- In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese until smooth.
- In a large sauce pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add in milk; cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, mustard and paprika. Add cottage cheese and cheddar cheeses until cheese has melted; stir in cooked macaroni.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake until cheese is bubbly and edges are golden brown, 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
3/4 cup: 438 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
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Homemade cottage cheese mac and cheese is made even better with salty, tangy cottage cheese and two kinds of cheddar. Not only does cottage cheese add a lovely tanginess to this decadently rich mac and cheese, but it’s also high in protein. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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