Description
Creamy Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is a rich, cheesy, high-protein comfort food recipe made with blended cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and pasta. Ready in about 30 minutes, this easy homemade mac and cheese delivers a silky sauce and satisfying flavor perfect for weeknight dinners or family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (230g) small pasta of choice (elbow macaroni, shells, fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 1/2 cup (100g) full-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup (250ml) milk of choice (whole milk or preferred alternative)
- 3.5 oz (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp salted butter
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp olive oil (optional, to prevent pasta sticking)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than fully cooked. Drain well, drizzle with olive oil, and set aside.
- Add cottage cheese, milk, cornstarch, sweet paprika, garlic powder, and salt to a blender or food processor. Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth and creamy with no visible curds.
- Pour the blended mixture into a large saucepan or pot and heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the sauce begins to thicken. Avoid boiling to prevent separation.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with butter and black pepper. Stir and cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until evenly coated.
- Turn off the heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Mix for 30 seconds to 1 minute until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
- Undercook pasta slightly to keep it from becoming mushy after mixing with sauce.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, peas, or asparagus for extra nutrition.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat with a splash of milk or water to restore creaminess.
- Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 532 kcal
- Sugar: 7.3 g
- Sodium: 368 mg
- Fat: 28.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 97.5 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 24.1 g
- Cholesterol: 53.8 mg