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Creamy Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 54 reviews

This Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is a creamy, healthier twist on the classic comfort food. Using cottage cheese in place of traditional heavy cream or milk makes the sauce rich in protein and lower in fat, while still delivering that signature cheesy goodness. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe blends cottage cheese and cheddar into a smooth sauce and tosses it with hot pasta for an irresistibly creamy dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Mac and Cheese Ingredients

  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (preferably small curd)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk (optional, for creamier sauce)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, milk (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Place the hot cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl. Pour the blended cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly. The heat from the pasta will help warm the sauce through.
  4. Serve Immediately: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the mac and cheese immediately while warm and creamy. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs or extra cheese.

Notes

  • If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash more milk to loosen it.
  • Using sharp cheddar gives a bolder flavor, but feel free to mix cheeses for more complexity.
  • This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.
  • For a crispy topping, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, then broil for a few minutes until golden.

Keywords: cottage cheese mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, quick mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, cheese pasta, low fat mac and cheese

Find it online: https://famdishes.com/creamy-cottage-cheese-mac-and-cheese-recipe/