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–+ servings

Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese with Gouda

A classic comfort dish with added protein from cottage cheese! This mac and cheese is creamy, flavorful, and always delicious!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Servings 6
Calories 461 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 oz. Cavatappi pasta or favorite pasta
  • 3 Tbsp. Flour
  • 2 tsp. Olive oil
  • 2 C. Cottage cheese
  • 1/2 C. Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 1/2 C. Milk
  • 1/4 C. Cream cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. Butter
  • 2 C. Gouda Shredded
  • 1 Tbsp. Thyme fresh
  • 1/2 tsp. Paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 Garlic cloves minced
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Panko Crumb Topping:

  • 1/4 C. Panko
  • 1/4 C. Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tsp. Oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until the pasta is al dente (the pasta should be slightly undercooked and a little firm still). Drain pasta and set aside.
  • Make the panko crumb topping by mixing the panko, Parmesan cheese, oregano and salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix and set aside.
  • In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese and cream cheese. Blend until smooth.
  • Heat the butter and oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk together. Slowly the blended milk and cottage cheese into the saucepan, whisking continuously. Be sure to keep whisking until there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the Gouda and Parmesan cheese. Stir occasionally until the cheese is fully melted. Stir in the paprika, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. It may be a little runny but will thicken up as it cooks.
  • Pour the Mac and cheese into a 9x9 or 10x7 greased baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until the panko crumb topping is lightly browned and the Mac and cheese is bubbling. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 461kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 28gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 916mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 797IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 551mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Baked mac and cheese, Cottage cheese mac and cheese, Gouda Mac and cheese, Mac and cheese, Protein mac and cheese
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