Description
Cottage cheese mac and cheese is a delightful twist on the classic comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this dish combines al dente pasta with a luscious cheese sauce featuring cottage cheese and sharp cheddar. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights in, it’s sure to evoke warm memories while satisfying your cravings. Customize it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a bowl of happiness served warm!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded aged cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: breadcrumbs or extra cheese for topping
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth, cooking for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- Gradually add milk while whisking until combined. Stir in cottage cheese and simmer until thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheddar until melted.
- Fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce; add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
- For an optional crispy topping, transfer to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with extra cheese or breadcrumbs, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: - For added nutrition, consider mixing in sautéed vegetables or swapping out cheddar for gouda. - Experiment with spices like paprika or garlic powder for a flavor boost.