Description
Cottage cheese mac and cheese is a delightful twist on the classic comfort food, blending creamy cottage cheese with sharp cheddar for a rich, satisfying dish. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni enveloped in a velvety sauce, topped with a crispy breadcrumb finish, makes this recipe an ideal choice for cozy dinners or potlucks. In just under 30 minutes, you can whip up this nutritious version of mac and cheese that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Mix in cottage cheese and cheddar until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce until well coated. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Blend cottage cheese for an ultra-smooth texture before adding it to the sauce. Feel free to add vegetables like broccoli or spices like paprika for added flavor.