Go Back
–+ servings
Macaroni and Cheese on the table

Mealtime Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is no longer just a side dish! The added protein in the sauce creates a balanced one pot meal. Plus, chilling the noodles after boiling them helps lower the carbohydrate impact on blood sugar levels. As a main dish or an anticipated side, enjoy the cheesy goodness!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 261 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 x 13 casserole dish
  • 3 or 4 qt pot
  • measuring spoon set
  • measuring cup set
  • strainer to drain pasta

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 10 oz Easy Melt Cheese (processed cheese) approximately 1/3 of a block
  • 1 cup Cheddar, divided 1/2 cup melted in sauce, 1/2 cup sprinkled on top
  • 3/4 cup Cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup Plain Greek yogurt non-fat
  • 1 tbsp Yellow mustard
  • 1/2 tsp Hot sauce
  • 1/4 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper or to taste
  • 16 oz Elbow pasta, uncooked

Instructions
 

Pasta

  • Cook pasta following directions on the box until it is al dente (softened but slightly firm instead of mushy
    16 oz Elbow pasta, uncooked
  • Drain pasta in strainer and rinse pasta until it cool
  • Refrigerate pasta overnight or until completely cooled (around 1-2 hours)

Cheese Sauce

  • Melt butter in the pot used to cook the pasta
    2 tbsp Butter
  • Combine easy melt cheese, cheddar, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt. Stir until melted together
    10 oz Easy Melt Cheese (processed cheese), 3/4 cup Cottage cheese, 3/4 cup Plain Greek yogurt non-fat, 1 cup Cheddar, divided
  • Add seasonings to the melted cheese sauce
    1 tbsp Yellow mustard, 1/2 tsp Hot sauce, 1/2 tsp Pepper, 1/4 tsp Salt
  • Mix cooled and drained pasta into cheese sauce and stir until fully combined

Options

  • OPTION 1- Mix remaining cheese into the pot and adjust seasonings before serving
    1 cup Cheddar, divided
  • OPTION 2 - Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray and pour macaroni and cheese into the dish. Cover with the remaining cheese and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until it reaches desired level of browning.
    1 cup Cheddar, divided

Notes

This recipe also freezes beautifully. Use OPTION 2, and freeze the macaroni and cheese prior to baking. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and bake as indicated in directions. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 15gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 668mgPotassium: 207mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 346IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 241mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cheese, High Protein, Low carb, Macaroni, Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!