Description
This 5 ingredient creamy mac and cheese is a balanced one pot meal ready in 20 minutes. The secret ingredient? Cottage cheese! With 34 grams of protein per cup cottage cheese lends the salty tang we all love in our favorite boxed mac and cheese while adding extra nutrition that will leave you feeling more full and satisfied after eating. As a dietitian Mom it’s everything I love in a recipe and is a huge hit with the kids!
Ingredients
325 g shells or elbow pasta (I like Catelli Smart pasta for some extra fiber!)
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼–½ tsp garlic salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 cup riced cauliflower, peas, chopped frozen broccoli or chopped spinach (My faves are riced cauliflower or peas!)
Instructions
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Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions, drain and set aside.
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To a blender, add cottage cheese, milk, cheese, garlic salt and cornstarch and blend until smooth.
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Add cheese sauce to the same pot the pasta was boiled in and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently with a whisk, until it a light simmer is reached. Cook until thickened, continuing to stir frequently so the sauce doesn’t burn or separate, about 3-5 minutes.
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Add noodles and any veggie additions if using, and stir to coat and until everything is heated through. Top with more cheese if desired and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15