High Protein Mac and Cheese with 30g of Protein

This high protein mac and cheese recipe screams comfort in every gooey bite. The smooth and creamy cheese sauce is made with shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and cottage cheese, making this meal the perfect protein-rich blend of velvety goodness. Whether you're making it as a quick lunch or post-workout meal, I can guarantee you'll love every bite.

Why You'll Love This Protein Mac and Cheese Recipe

• It's packed with 30 grams of protein in every serving, making this healthy mac and cheese a delicious way to incorporate more high-protein meals into your diet.
• You can make this recipe your own by incorporating additional sources of protein like adding shredded chicken, using chickpea pasta, or adding a touch of hot sauce for an extra kick.
• This cottage cheese mac and cheese takes only 20 minutes in 5 simple steps so whether you are serving your mac and cheese as a main course or as a savory side, you can easily whip up this dish for any occasion.
• The whole family will love it. I don't know many people who would turn down a warm, cheesy bowl of classic mac and cheese, and this recipe is no exception. Trust me, it's so delicious that even the pickiest eaters will want more. No one will even know it's a high protein mac and cheese recipe!

Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni - the best pasta for mac and cheese. Use one of these high protein pasta options for more protein.
• Cottage cheese - a great source of protein
• Milk - for creaminess. For an even higher protien meal, use one of these high protein milks.
• Corn starch - to give the sauce an added thickness
• Cheddar cheese - I like shredded sharp cheddar
• Onion powder - for an aromatic taste
• Paprika - for a touch of heat
• Salt and pepper - to taste
• Unsalted butter - for cooking
• Parmesan cheese - freshly grated

How to Make Protein Mac and Cheese

1. Prepare the Pasta

To start, cook the pasta in a large pot with salted boiling water over medium heat. You can prepare the macaroni according to the package instructions and drain your pasta once it's cooked with a colander. 

2. Blend the Cheese

In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, milk, cheddar cheese, and seasonings. Continue blending until you have a smooth and creamy mixture.

3. Cook the Cheese Sauce

For the sauce, you'll want to start by heating the butter in a large skillet. Pour in your cheese mixture and cook for 4-5 minutes or until the sauce gets nice and bubbly and begins to thicken.

4. Stir in the Pasta

Once the cottage cheese sauce is looking good, you can add your cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together so the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.

5. Finish with Cheese

Finally, add the parmesan cheese to the pasta mixture and give everything a good stir. Serve your macaroni and cheese warm with some fresh parsley and black pepper. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• For extra protein, use a high protein pasta (I like to use Banza pasta), a high protein milk (Fairlife is my go-to, and a high protein cheese.
• Use the oven to make a baked mac and cheese dish. Put the finished macaroni in a casserole dish and broil in the oven for a minute or two. You can even top it off with some breadcrumbs for that irresistible crunch.
• Incorporate some veggies into your mac and cheese by blending cauliflower into your cheese sauce. It'll make it a little thicker and make this an even healthier mac and cheese recipe.

How to Store and Reheat This Protein Mac and Cheese

In the fridge: You can transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store your mac and cheese in the fridge for roughly 3-4 days.

In the freezer: The freezer is a great solution when you need to store this recipe for a longer period of time. Simply use a freezer bag or freezer safe container to store your mac and cheese for up to 3 months.

Reheating: I definitely recommend using the oven to reheat any leftovers. You can bake your refrigerated mac and cheese in a baking dish for roughly 10 minutes at 325°F. Alternatively, place your leftovers in a microwave safe dish and microwave in intervals of 15 seconds until it has reached your desired temperature.

More High Protein Recipes

• Protein French toast
• Protein ice cream
• Homemade energy bars

Continue to Content

High Protein Mac and Cheese with 30g of Protein

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This high protein mac and cheese recipe screams comfort in every gooey bite. The smooth and creamy cheese sauce is made with shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and cottage cheese, making this meal the perfect protein-rich blend of velvety goodness. Whether you're making it as a quick lunch or post-workout meal, I can guarantee you'll love every bite.

Print

Ingredients

• 5oz. Elbow macaroni
• ½ cup cottage cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2oz. Cheddar cheese
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in a pot with salted boiling water. 
2. Add cottage cheese, milk, cheddar, and seasonings in a blender. Blend until you have a creamy and smooth mixture.
3. Heat butter in a large skillet.
4. Add the cheese mixture to a skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes or until bubbly and gently thickened.
5. Stir in cooked pasta. Add parmesan cheese and give it a good stir.
6. Serve the pasta warm.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 427Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 679mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 7gProtein: 30g