This cottage cheese mac and cheese dish creates creamy, protein-rich comfort food ready in merely 20 minutes. Here’s how to mix cottage cheese into the smoothest cheese sauce you’ve ever experienced!
Cottage cheese has emerged as a popular ingredient, and here’s one of my favorite methods to utilize it. When I initially proposed making cottage cheese mac and cheese, Alex gave me a look that conveyed “I care about you, but I’m worried about your choices.” Twenty minutes later, he was devouring every last bit!
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of testing recipes: cottage cheese resembles ricotta when blended, forming an exceptionally creamy base that’s naturally rich in protein. It adheres to the noodles beautifully, transforming it into one of my family’s preferred quick dinner solutions!
Ingredients for cottage cheese mac and cheese
You might be pondering, cottage cheese in pasta? Indeed, these white curds blend wonderfully when mixed with cheddar cheese and seasonings. I’ve discovered that adding some cornstarch is beneficial in thickening the sauce and covering the noodles. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Short pasta: Any kind of short noodles will do. I prefer using cavatappi, but it also works excellently with macaroni, shells, penne, rigatoni, and spirals.
- Cottage cheese: I suggest using 4% milkfat cottage cheese for the most flavorful result. The 2% milkfat option is acceptable; just steer clear of fat-free cottage cheese.
- Milk: I usually opt for 2% milk, but any variety of milk is acceptable.
- Cornstarch: This ingredient aids in thickening the sauce and contributes a silky texture, akin to the flour and butter-based roux found in most mac and cheese recipes (like this one).
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar delivers that classic mac and cheese taste.
- Garlic powder and paprika: The paprika is optional, but it enhances the color.
“It was incredibly delicious! I baked it and added a sprinkle of cheese on top along with some crumbs and ended up loving how simple and tasty it was. Thank you!” -Lisa
Professional tips for flawless results
Equipment: I utilize a high-speed blender for our blended recipes, which whips up the sauce in a matter of seconds. A standard blender and food processor are also suitable; even a smaller blender might suffice depending on its capacity.
Pasta tip: If the pasta requires more time than the sauce or you pre-cook your pasta, be sure to toss it with a little olive oil or it might stick to the pot.
Baked variation: This cottage cheese mac and cheese is ready in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for quick weeknight meals. If you have more time, baking the mac and cheese at 350°F for 15 minutes enhances the flavor! It helps the sauce soak into the noodles, resulting in a more luxurious and savory taste.
Tip for serving a larger group
This recipe can easily be doubled for serving a larger group. You can use the 2x button in the recipe below to quickly increase the amounts. With 1 pound of pasta, you can transfer it into a 9 x 13″ baking dish and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F before serving.
The benefit of cottage cheese
According to Healthline, cottage cheese can be a nutritious choice when compared to other cheese varieties. Here are some advantages of cottage cheese:
- It