High Protein Mac and Cheese Recipe

Barbara's Macaroni and Cheese

This is a high protein version of macaroni and cheese that is decadently creamy and rich, while high in protein. The milk is substituted with 2% Greek Yogurt and 2% Cottage Cheese is also added to boost the protein. Finally, this recipe is made with Barilla's Pasta Plus which has 17 grams of protein per serving. If you want to lower the carb load, you could use Dreamfields, which lowers the carbs, also lowers the protein count.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tbsp Butter, Salted
• 1 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 8 oz Sharp Cheddar, shredded
• 8 oz American Cheese, shredded
  
• 8 oz Cottage Cheese 2%
• 1 lb Barilla Pasta Plus Penne or Elbow
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Dry Mustard
• 1/8 tsp Pepper, Black
• 1/2 cup Panko
• 2/3 cup Natural Light Greek Style Yogurt
• 1/8 tsp Salt, if needed
  

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
3. Whip cottage cheese in food processor until smooth and creamy.
4. Add Yogurt, spices, and grated cheeses and fold together.
5. Fold in cooked, drained pasta.
6. Melt butter and olive oil.
7. Toss panko crumbs in butter and oil mixture.
8. Sprinkle panko crumbs over casserole.
9. Place in prepared pan and bake, uncovered, 20 minutes.
10.Raise heat to 400 degrees and bake 10 minutes more or until crusty on top and bottom.

It has about 250 Calories for a serving, with about 20 grams of protein and 21.5 gram of carbs using the Barilla Pasta Plus. If you use the Dreamfields pasta, you'll drop the carbs, but also drop the protien by about half.