Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of Low Calorie High Protein Mac and Cheese, a guilt-free twist on a classic comfort food. This dish is perfect for family dinners or meal prep and features a velvety cheese sauce made from wholesome ingredients. With high-protein pasta and rich cottage cheese, it not only satisfies your cravings but also fuels your body, keeping you full and energized. Customize it with your favorite veggies or lean proteins for an extra nutrition boost. In just a few simple steps, you can enjoy this healthy yet delicious mac and cheese, making it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz high-protein elbow pasta or chickpea/lentil pasta
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or skim milk
- ½ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional add-ins: steamed broccoli or spinach, cooked shredded chicken or turkey
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water, add the pasta, cook according to package instructions, then drain.
- Make the sauce: Blend cottage cheese, almond milk (or skim milk), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and nutritional yeast until smooth.
- Heat the sauce: Pour blended mixture into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cheddar cheese and Parmesan until melted and thickened. Season to taste.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until well coated. Fold in optional veggies or proteins.
- Serve warm with extra Parmesan if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 30mg