Description

Best Cottage Cheese Mac And Cheese is the kind of easy dinner that feels like pure comfort in every bite. I love how the cottage cheese blends into a smooth, creamy sauce that makes this dish rich, cheesy, and satisfying without a lot of complicated steps. It is perfect for a quick breakfast-for-dinner idea, an easy dinner for busy weeknights, a hearty lunch, or one of those cozy food ideas you want to make again and again. If you are looking for a creamy pasta recipe, family dinner idea, easy recipe, comfort food classic, or simple homemade mac and cheese with extra protein, this one checks every box.

Ingredients

12 ounces rotini pasta

1 1/2 cups cottage cheese

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon butter for toasting breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Add the cottage cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.

3. Pour the blended mixture into a large skillet or saucepan over low heat.

4. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons butter. Cook gently, stirring often, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

5. Add the cooked rotini to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the sauce.

6. In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and toast the panko breadcrumbs until golden brown.

7. Spoon the mac and cheese into bowls or a serving dish.

8. Top with toasted breadcrumbs and fresh parsley, then serve warm.

Notes

For the smoothest sauce, blend the cottage cheese very well before heating so the texture turns completely creamy.

Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk to bring the sauce back to a silky consistency.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 428
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 41g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: best cottage cheese mac and cheese, cottage cheese mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy pasta, family dinner ideas