Indulge in a creamy and protein-packed pasta dish, done all in one pot, and with the secret ingredient: Cottage Cheese!

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When the weather gets colder, all I want is something warm, creamy, and comforting but without feeling heavy afterward. That’s exactly why this High‑Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese has become one of my favorite cozy meals. It tastes like the classic mac and cheese, but with a lighter, protein‑packed twist that still gives you that velvety, indulgent texture we all crave.

What Makes High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac ‘n’ Cheese Special?

Protein Powerhouse: This dish swaps out heavy cream, milk, and flour for cottage cheese, elevating the protein content without sacrificing creaminess

Creamy and Comforting: The combination of cottage cheese, pasta water, and parmesan creates a velvety texture that’s both satisfying and indulgent

One Pot Convenience: Just like the 40 Clove Chicken, this cottage cheese pasta (mac ‘n’ cheese) only needs one pot. Perfect for those busy weeknight dinners!

Customizable: Feel free to add your favourite veggies or protein sources to make this dish uniquely yours!

Kid-Friendly: Even picky eaters won’t notice the cottage cheese. It tastes like the classic mac and cheese, just with a wholesome twist.

I used Dairyland’s 2% Cottage Cheese (250g tub) which has 240 calories for the whole tub and 34g of protein!

Popular Substitutions & Additions:

Tomato Rosé Sauce: Feel free to omit the cheddar/mozzarella cheese and instead add in a cup of your favorite tomato sauce! Combined with the cottage cheese, it’ll create a smooth and velvety rosé sauce.

Veggies: Add as many veggies as you’d like and just make sure to add it to pasta while it’s cooking if it’s a hard vegetable like carrots, broccoli etc. Veggies that take a shorter amount of time to cook like kale, spinach, or even chopped up grape tomatoes can go in at the same time as the peas in this recipe

Protein: You can add in any protein you’d like to this dish! From sausages to ground turkey, to even cubed tofu, the world is your oyster. If you want to keep it completely one pot, brown or lightly sauté the protein first, set it aside in a bowl, and then pour in the water to start cooking the pasta.

How to Store Leftovers:

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave with a few drops of water until heated through. Best if you microwave in short intervals and stir between each round. This will bring the sauce back to its creamy, silky texture.

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One Pot High Protein Cottage Cheese Pasta (Mac ‘n’ Cheese)

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Indulge in a creamy and protein-packed pasta dish, done all in one pot, and with the secret ingredient: Cottage Cheese!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings: 4 people

Course: dinner, entree, lunch

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

1 tub 2% fat Cottage Cheese 250g
16 oz pasta of your choice
4 cups water roughly (you'll need to adjust based on your pasta shape and pot size)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, crumbled
1 cup cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese optional
3/4 cup edamame or peas or other veggies of your choice
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Equipment

1 large non-stick pan (ie. Always Pan)
1 blender or food processor

Method

In your pot or Always Pan, add in your dry pasta and add enough water to submerge the pasta but little enough to have it eventually evaporate. You should use roughly half the amount of water you usually do.
While it's cooking, empty the entire contents of the cottage cheese into a blender of food processor and blend until smooth.
When pasta is 70% cooked and still very al dente, check if most of the water has evaporated. If not, drain until there is about 1 cup of water left in the pot.
Add in your whipped cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, cheddar/mozzarella cheese, and veggies. Mix until well combined and cheese is smooth and completely melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy!

Tried this recipe?Mention @eatingwithkirby or tag #eatingwithkirby!

This High‑Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is everything I want in a cozy meal – creamy, comforting, nourishing, and unbelievably easy. It’s the kind of dish you make once and immediately add to your weeknight rotation.