High Protein Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy comfort food that quietly packs in the protein. The silky sauce is built on blended cottage cheese and sharp cheddar, with a little butternut stirred in for extra creaminess and colour, all tossed through high-protein pasta. Tastes like the real deal, no protein powder in sight.
Method
-
Cook the pasta in salted water according to the packet, a minute short of al dente. Drain, keeping a mug of the pasta water.
💡 Tip: Undercooking slightly means the pasta finishes perfectly when tossed with the hot sauce. -
Blend the cottage cheese, butternut puree, milk, garlic powder, mustard, and nutmeg until completely smooth.
💡 Tip: Blend it longer than you think. Totally smooth is the goal for a silky sauce. -
Pour the sauce into a pan over medium-low heat and warm through, then stir in the grated cheddar until melted and glossy.
💡 Tip: Keep the heat gentle so the cottage cheese sauce does not split. -
Toss the drained pasta through the sauce, loosening with a splash of pasta water if needed. Season and serve.
Notes
Blending the cottage cheese until completely smooth is essential. Any lumps and you lose that silky sauce.
A spoon of butternut puree adds colour and creaminess so you need less cheese, without anyone noticing a vegetable.
Use a high-protein or chickpea pasta to push the protein and fibre up further. Cook it a minute short so it does not go soft.
Best served fresh, but leftovers keep for 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 448kcal |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Protein | 34g |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will it taste like cottage cheese?
No. Blended smooth and mixed with cheddar, it just reads as a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It is the trick to all that protein without heavy cream.
Do I have to add the butternut?
No, but it adds creaminess and colour so you can use a little less cheese. Pumpkin puree works just as well. Leave it out if you prefer.
Can I bake it?
Yes. Tip it into a dish, top with a little extra cheese and some breadcrumbs, and bake at 400F for 10 to 15 minutes for a crispy top.
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