Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese (High Protein)

If you’re looking for an incredible high protein mac and cheese recipe that tastes JUST like the real thing, you’re going to LOVE this cottage cheese mac and cheese. Ditch the boxed stuff and stir up this kid-approved, high protein and lower calorie macaroni in the same time.

My high protein macaroni and cheese gets a big protein boost two ways. First, we use my favorite high protein pasta. I’m not usually a fan of “high protein” pastas because they always taste a bit off to me. They’re ok, but not great. But I recently tried the Barilla brand of Protein+ pasta and was blown away. I’ve tried their spaghetti, elbow, and penne pasta shapes and they just taste like regular pasta to me. I can find it at my local grocery store, and it’s also available online.

And the second boost of protein? Cottage cheese. Look, I know what you’re thinking, and I’ll be the first to say I’m not a huge fan of cottage cheese. I don’t like the texture or the idea of cottage cheese if I’m being totally honest. But I promise you that you won’t be able to tell that this high protein mac and cheese has cottage cheese. Pinky swear.

A quick blitz in a blender cup and you’ll be shocked at how delicious cottage cheese mac and cheese can be. I have a Ninja Blender and totally love it because I can use the smaller blender cup for recipes like this or for personal protein shakes instead of having to use a large blender every time.

Why You’ll Love My Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

• My favorite thing about cottage cheese mac and cheese is that it does NOT taste like cottage cheese. You’ll taste creamy cheddar and nothing else. I promise.
• This recipe cooks up FAST. In the same amount of time it takes to cook a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese, you can have this healthier version.
• This recipe is vegetarian and high-protein. I know it can be a challenge for vegetarians to get in all their protein macros, so anytime we can make some subtle changes and kick up the protein is a big win in my book!
• You can easily customize this high protein macaroni and cheese. Switch up the cheese, add in jalapeños, top with bread crumbs, sprinkle on some bacon or chopped broccoli…possibilities are endless!
• This recipe is SO EASY. Boil water. Push a button on your blender. Mix the sauce and noodles and cook for 2 minutes. That’s it, folks.

High Protein Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Notes

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

I recommend using a SHARP cheddar cheese. We’re only using about a cup of shredded cheddar in the entire recipe so using a sharp cheddar will help boost that cheddar cheese-y goodness in every bite.

If you want to get fancy, you can shred a block of cheddar, but using the preshredded bags of cheddar cheese will work just fine in this recipe.

Low Fat Milk and Cottage Cheese

I use a 2% low fat milk and cottage cheese in this recipe. I do this to keep the calories and fat lower, and also because I don’t find that it affects the flavor or creaminess of the macaroni and cheese. You’re welcome to use whole milk or full fat cottage cheese if that fits your macros better.

Salting Your Pasta Water

This is a tip for making sure you pasta tastes as good as possible. You always want to salt your pasta water. I usually add a heaping spoon of salt once my water starts to boil, before I add in my pasta. This will totally level up your pasta game, I promise.

Mustard

I add a bit of mustard to my cheese sauce (1/2 tsp or about 2-3g of yellow mustard). Mustard brings out the cheese flavor of cheddar and a touch goes a long way. The cottage cheese mac and cheese won’t taste like mustard, it just enhances the sharp cheddar flavor.

Cornstarch

My recipe has a bit of cornstarch. Please don’t skip this ingredient as it helps pull everything together and helps the cheese sauce to get creamy and thicken.

How to make High Protein Mac and Cheese with Cottage Cheese

Cook your protein pasta according to package directions, making sure to salt your pasta water. If you’re using the Barilla Protein+ elbows it cooks up in FIVE minutes!

While the pasta is cooking, add the rest of your ingredients to a blender cup.

Blend for one minute until everything is well incorporated.

Add cheese sauce to skillet and turn on heat to medium-low.

Add hot, cooked noodles and stir to combine.

Continue cooking until cheese sauce is slightly thickened and warmed through.

If you love this cottage cheese mac and cheese, try our alfredo recipe too! It uses a similar technique to this pasta and is also high in protein and flavor!