Description

Looking for a quick, creamy, and protein-packed twist on a classic? This Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food that comes together in under 30 minutes. It’s silky smooth, rich in flavor, and a secretly healthier alternative to traditional mac. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a cozy lunch, or as part of your go-to dinner ideas. Whether you’re hunting for a high-protein meal, a quick family favorite, or an easy recipe to impress, this dish checks all the boxes for breakfast ideas, easy dinners, or satisfying food ideas.

Ingredients

2 cups rotini pasta

1 cup full-fat cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

1/3 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

1 tablespoon butter (for breadcrumbs)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

2. In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth.

3. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Pour in the cottage cheese mixture and heat gently.

4. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese gradually until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.

5. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir gently to coat the noodles with the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

6. In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown. Sprinkle over the pasta.

7. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For the smoothest texture, blend the cottage cheese well until no curds remain.

Freshly shredded cheese melts better and prevents grainy texture.

Don’t skip the breadcrumb topping—it adds a perfect crunch!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 420
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: cottage cheese mac and cheese, high protein mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, quick dinner recipe, comfort food