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Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese

Quick Creamy Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 427
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Pinch of paprika (optional)

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Blend the cottage cheese, milk, butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until completely smooth.
  3. Pour the blended mixture into the same pot and warm over medium heat for 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low. Whisk in the shredded cheddar a handful at a time until melted.
  4. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and fold together, using a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen. Serve immediately.

Notes

The sauce will thicken as it sits, so serve it right away. If you are making it ahead, slightly undercook the pasta and add a little more milk when reheating.