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Cottage cheese mac and cheese recipe – high-protein comfort food with creamy cottage cheese sauce

Cottage Cheese Mac & Cheese

This creamy Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is a high-protein comfort food twist that blends smooth cottage cheese sauce with sharp cheddar and parmesan. With 34 grams of protein per serving, it's a filling meal prep winner that tastes like the classic baked version.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 510
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

Mac & Cheese
  • 8 oz dry elbow or shell pasta
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 4-5 oz cooked chicken sausages (2 chicken sausage links, or use your preferred protein)
Garnish
  • Extra grated parmesan
  • Chopped chives or green onion
  • Fresh parsley

Directions
 

  1. In a blender or food processor, add your cottage cheese, milk, cheddar, parmesan, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Blend until it has a smooth consistency. It should take about a minute or two.
  3. Place a skillet on a burner and turn it on medium heat.
  4. Add 4 ounces of your diced chicken sausage and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes. This is just to warm it up since it should be fully cooked. If you’re not using fully cooked chicken sausages, then cook them here.
  5. Once it’s been warmed up, remove it from the skillet.
  6. Take out a large pot and cook the pasta according to your pasta’s instructions. It should take between 8-11 minutes.
  7. Once your pasta is done cooking, turn off your burner, drain your pasta and save a bit of pasta water. You shouldn’t need to use it but this is just in case your cheese sauce is too thick.
  8. Return your drained pasta to the pot. Then pour in your cheese sauce over the pasta. Mix well until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.
  9. Fold in the cooked chicken sausages.
  10. Serve.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to bring back the creamy texture.