Can I taste the cottage cheese in this recipe?

No. Once blended with the cheddar and seasonings, the cottage cheese flavor disappears completely. All you get is a creamy, cheesy sauce that tastes like classic mac and cheese.

How many calories are in cottage cheese mac and cheese?

A one-cup serving made with this recipe is roughly 350 to 400 calories. That number varies based on the type of pasta you use and how much cheese you add. Using chickpea pasta or reducing the cheddar slightly can lower it further.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce back up. It also reheats well in the microwave with a brief stir halfway through.

Can I use low-fat cottage cheese?

You can, but the sauce will be slightly less rich. Full-fat cottage cheese (4% milkfat) gives the best creamy result. Low-fat or fat-free versions still work, they just produce a thinner sauce.

Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Better Than Boxed

Name: Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces elbow macaroni; 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Description

This cottage cheese mac and cheese is creamy, rich, and surprisingly easy to make. It comes together in about 15 minutes, and the sauce is so smooth you would never guess the secret ingredient is cottage cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika

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Instructions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Add the cottage cheese, milk, cornstarch, cheddar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
Pour the blended sauce into a skillet over medium-low heat and stir gently for 4 to 5 minutes until thickened.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir until fully coated. Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.

Notes

Blend the sauce before heating for the smoothest texture. Use freshly shredded cheddar and keep the heat on medium-low so the sauce stays creamy and does not turn lumpy.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 540mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 23g
Cholesterol: 40mg