Description
Baked Mac And Cheese With Cottage Cheese is the kind of creamy, cheesy comfort food that makes dinner feel instantly more exciting. This easy recipe bakes up with a rich, velvety sauce, tender pasta, and a golden bubbly top that makes it perfect for weeknight dinner, holiday sides, potlucks, and family meals. If you are looking for easy dinner ideas, comfort food classics, baked pasta recipes, or crowd-pleasing food ideas, this dish brings everything together in one cozy pan.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese, milk, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth.
4. Pour the blended mixture into a large bowl and stir in 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
5. Add the cooked macaroni and mix until every piece is well coated.
6. Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
7. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese, remaining mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
9. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
Blend the cottage cheese mixture until completely smooth for the creamiest sauce texture.
Do not overcook the pasta before baking, or the final dish can turn too soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 428
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 642mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
Keywords: baked mac and cheese with cottage cheese, cottage cheese mac and cheese, baked macaroni and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, baked pasta, cheesy casserole, family dinner, food ideas