Description
Creamy and comforting Mac & Cottage Cheese is a delightful twist on classic macaroni and cheese, combining tender elbow pasta with a smooth cottage cheese sauce enhanced by cheddar cheese and warm spices for a rich, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
Sauce
- 1 cup whole milk cottage cheese
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the elbow macaroni al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a food processor or blender, combine the whole milk cottage cheese, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and paprika. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the milk and pulse a few times to blend everything evenly.
- Heat Sauce: Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the same pot used for cooking the pasta. Heat it over medium-high heat, bringing the mixture to a low boil while whisking frequently until it thickens, which should take about 1 minute.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in the shredded sharp white cheddar cheese along with ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely into the sauce, forming a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked elbow macaroni back into the pot with the cheese sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly. Add more of the reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Use whole milk cottage cheese for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; the starch helps adjust the sauce consistency.
- Mustard powder enhances the depth of flavor in the cheese sauce.
- For a sharper taste, use extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- This dish is best eaten fresh as the sauce thickens upon standing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mac and cheese, cottage cheese recipe, creamy pasta, cheddar cheese pasta, easy macaroni recipe
