This excessive protein mac and cheese wants simply 6 important elements to make and yields essentially the most creamy and dreamy mac ever. I like the way it tastes like the actual factor.
On the lookout for extra high-protein important dishes? Attempt protein pizza, protein pasta, and cloud bread pizza.
Rising up, mac and cheese was a childhood staple, however my mother would at all times pair it with hen or fish so we’d have a whole meal. I puzzled, although, what if I may add protein to the mac and cheese with out sacrificing the flavour or texture? Effectively, because of my newfound obsession with cottage cheese, I’ve discovered an answer. And I promise you, you received’t even know that is good for you!
Desk of Contents
Why I like this recipe
- 30+ grams of protein per serving. And it’s all within the sauce! However I’m supplying you with the choice to make use of protein pasta to make it even larger.
- Tastes like the actual factor. I’m a mac and cheese snob, so to even share this recipe, it needed to be as legit as attainable.
- Fast and simple. That is the sort of meal you may put collectively on a busy weeknight when you may’t be bothered cooking!
- Wholesome. The pasta gives wholesome carbs and fiber, and the sauce gives protein and a few fats. I’ve included some pairing solutions under to spherical it out.
Elements wanted
- Pasta. I prefer to maintain issues traditional and use the OG elbow macaroni (which additionally holds onto the creamy sauce SO nicely), however penne, rigatoni, and even spaghetti are all high-quality. If you would like much more protein, I like to make use of Barilla Protein Plus Elbow Pasta (affiliate hyperlink) which doesn’t style rubbery, cooks simply, and likewise provides 17 grams of protein per serve.
- Non-fat milk. I opted for cow’s milk, however be at liberty to make use of almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and so forth. Simply don’t use oat milk as a result of it’s naturally candy.
- Cottage cheese. The key ingredient that provides this mac and cheese a HUGE protein enhance AND additionally tons of creaminess. I like to make use of non-fat cottage cheese as you save a number of further energy, and also you already get some fat within the cheddar cheese.
- Protein powder. Optionally available however unflavored protein powder provides much more protein with out affecting the flavour or texture.
- Cheddar cheese. Should you can, shred the cheese by hand as a result of it melts so a lot better and actually tastes higher too.
- Cornstarch. Including a pinch of this ensures the sauce sticks to each single piece of pasta.
- Salt and pepper. To style. Solely add this on the finish, in case its already salted sufficient.
The way to make protein mac and cheese
I’ve included step-by-step photographs under to make this recipe simple to comply with at house. For the total printable recipe directions and ingredient portions, scroll to the recipe card on the backside of this put up.
Step 1- Boil pasta. As per the package deal directions.
Step 2- Make the sauce. Mix collectively the cottage cheese, milk, cheddar cheese, optionally available protein powder, and cornstarch.
Step 3- Heat up. Add the sauce to a pot and produce it to a simmer, stirring commonly.
Step 4- Mix. Add the pasta again in and blend all the pieces collectively. If utilizing protein powder, stir it by. Modify the liquid, season, and serve.
What to serve with it
Due to the excessive protein content material, this mac and cheese is a meal in itself.
On the subject of pairings for this traditional dish, I like to recommend some type of steak and greens. Attempt any of those!
Recipe suggestions and variations
- Style the sauce. As talked about within the ingredient part, don’t add the salt (and pepper) till you’ve tasted the sauce. Cottage cheese is of course tremendous salty, so you could not even want so as to add it (I didn’t in one in all my check batches due to a specific model).
- Add taste boosters. I purposely stored the recipe as traditional tasting as attainable, however to amp up the flavour, add garlic salt, onion powder, Italian seasoning, curry powder, and even some pink pepper flakes.
- Amp up the protein. A few of my favourite proteins so as to add to mac and cheese embody sliced or shredded hen breast (rotisserie hen works a deal with!), shrimp, and even some crumbled tofu.
- Add veggies! This was my dad and mom’ sneaky trick rising up. Toss in some steamed broccoli, child spinach, frozen peas, and corn, and even some cauliflower rice.
Storage directions
To retailer: Leftovers are finest saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. It’s going to maintain nicely for as much as 5 days.
To freeze: Place parts of the mac and cheese in a shallow container and retailer within the freezer for as much as 6 months.
To make forward: I’ve typically made the sauce upfront and stored parts within the freezer. When prepared to make use of, simply thaw within the fridge in a single day.
Extra wholesome dinners to strive
Cook dinner the elbow macaroni as per package deal directions. Put aside.
In a excessive velocity blender, mix the cottage cheese, shredded cheese, milk, protein powder, and cornstarch and mix till easy.
Add the sauce to a saucepan over medium warmth. Carry to a boil. As soon as it begins to simmer, slowly stir the sauce till it thickens.
Add the pasta again into the sauce till coated. Serve instantly.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 379kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 32gFats: 14gSodium: 646mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 311IUCalcium: 352mgIron: 6mgNET CARBS: 29g
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