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Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 149 reviews

A healthier twist on classic mac and cheese using creamy cottage cheese combined with sharp cheddar and pasta shells, creating a deliciously smooth and cheesy meal that’s quick to make and comforting to eat.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz dry pasta (shells or macaroni)

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 cup whole milk cottage cheese
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water

Instructions

  1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells or macaroni until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare Cheese Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot over low heat. Add the milk, whole milk cottage cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Stir gently until the cheeses melt and combine with the milk and pasta.
  3. Smooth Sauce: Gradually add the reserved pasta water while stirring to achieve a smooth, creamy sauce consistency. Adjust the amount of pasta water as needed to your preferred creaminess.
  4. Season: Season the mac and cheese with kosher salt to taste. Optionally, add other spices like paprika, black pepper, or onion powder to enhance the flavor according to your preference.
  5. Serve: Once the sauce is creamy and well combined with the pasta, remove from heat and serve immediately for the best texture and taste.

Notes

  • Note 1: Using shell or macaroni pasta helps hold the cheese sauce nicely, but any small pasta shape works.
  • Note 3: Whole milk cottage cheese provides creaminess – low-fat versions can be used but may change texture.
  • Reserve some pasta water to ensure the cheese sauce is smooth and not clumpy.
  • Add spices gradually to taste for personalized flavor.

Keywords: mac and cheese, cottage cheese recipe, easy mac and cheese, creamy pasta, healthier mac and cheese

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/cottage-cheese-mac-and-cheese-recipe/