Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese is your go-to recipe for a guilt-free, satisfying comfort food classic that fuels your body while delighting your taste buds. This dish transforms traditional mac and cheese into a nutritional powerhouse, making it perfect for meal prep, post-workout recovery, or simply a healthier family dinner.
Key Ingredients for Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or whole wheat pasta for added fiber)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk (any percentage, or unsweetened almond milk for dairy-free)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat for creaminess)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, but recommended for depth)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 cups shredded cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère work well)
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast or canned tuna, drained (for extra protein boost)
- Optional toppings: breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, extra shredded cheese, cooked bacon bits
How to Make Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese
This Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese recipe offers a creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying experience with a secret weapon: added protein! It’s surprisingly simple to prepare, boasting a rich flavor profile that rivals traditional versions. In approximately 35 minutes, you’ll have a wholesome meal ready to enjoy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onions and garlic. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes, creating a paste. This roux will help thicken your cheese sauce.
- Incorporate Liquids: Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding more. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Add Protein Powerhouses: In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Whisk them together until smooth. Stir this creamy mixture into the simmering milk sauce.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and nutmeg (if using). Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remember that cheese can be salty, so it’s best to season gradually and taste as you go.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheese blend to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until each addition is melted and smooth before adding more. Continue until all the cheese is incorporated and the sauce is luxuriously creamy and thick.
- Incorporate Extra Protein (Optional): If you’re adding shredded chicken or canned tuna, gently stir it into the cheese sauce along with the cooked pasta.
- Combine and Serve: Add the drained cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated in the rich, creamy sauce.
- Serve Hot: Ladle the Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese into bowls. Garnish with your favorite toppings like toasted breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, or extra shredded cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your healthier comfort food!
Why You’ll Love This Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese
You’ll absolutely adore this Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese because it delivers all the creamy, dreamy comfort you crave without the traditional calorie and fat overload. Its star feature is the ingenious blend of Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, which not only amps up the protein content significantly but also contributes to an unbelievably smooth and luscious sauce. Plus, skipping the restaurant version means saving money and knowing exactly what wholesome ingredients go into your meal, making it a smart and satisfying choice for any day of the week.
Unlike basic mac and cheese that can leave you feeling heavy, this protein-packed version will leave you feeling fueled and satisfied for hours, making it ideal for a hearty lunch or a balanced dinner. The subtle notes from the Dijon mustard and smoked paprika add a sophisticated depth of flavor that will have you questioning how something so good can be so good for you. If you’re seeking a way to enjoy classic comfort food with an added health and satisfaction boost, give this Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese a try – your taste buds and your body will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store your Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerated leftovers will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions or a larger batch. Ensure the mac and cheese is completely cooled, then divide it into freezer-safe containers or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Frozen mac and cheese can be kept for up to 2-3 months.
When reheating, you have a few options. For refrigerated portions, gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk or water if the sauce seems too thick. Alternatively, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave, starting with 1-2 minutes and stirring every 30 seconds until heated through. For frozen mac and cheese, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating using the stovetop or microwave method. If you’re heating directly from frozen, this will take longer, and you’ll need to cook it on low heat until thoroughly warmed, stirring to prevent sticking.
Final Thoughts
This Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese is a testament to how comfort food can be both incredibly satisfying and nourishing. It’s a simple yet transformative dish that proves healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. We encourage you to whip up a batch and experience this elevated classic for yourself; you won’t be disappointed!
Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.1 pound elbow macaroni (or whole wheat pasta for added fiber)
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter, 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onions and garlic. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes, creating a paste. This roux will help thicken your cheese sauce.1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated before adding more. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it begins to thicken.3 cups milk (any percentage, or unsweetened almond milk for dairy-free)
- In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Whisk them together until smooth. Stir this creamy mixture into the simmering milk sauce.1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat for creaminess), 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and nutmeg (if using). Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remember that cheese can be salty, so it’s best to season gradually and taste as you go.1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, but recommended for depth), to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheese blend to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until each addition is melted and smooth before adding more. Continue until all the cheese is incorporated and the sauce is luxuriously creamy and thick.4 cups shredded cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère work well)
- If you’re adding shredded chicken or canned tuna, gently stir it into the cheese sauce along with the cooked pasta.1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast or canned tuna, drained (for extra protein boost)
- Add the drained cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated in the rich, creamy sauce.1 pound elbow macaroni (or whole wheat pasta for added fiber)
- Ladle the Delicious High Protein Mac and Cheese into bowls. Garnish with your favorite toppings like toasted breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, or extra shredded cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your healthier comfort food!Optional toppings: breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, extra shredded cheese, cooked bacon bits
Notes
When reheating, you have a few options. For refrigerated portions, gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk or water if the sauce seems too thick. Alternatively, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave, starting with 1-2 minutes and stirring every 30 seconds until heated through. For frozen mac and cheese, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating using the stovetop or microwave method. If you’re heating directly from frozen, this will take longer, and you’ll need to cook it on low heat until thoroughly warmed, stirring to prevent sticking.