High Protein Homemade Mac n Cheese

Elevate your comfort food game with this High Protein Homemade Mac n Cheese, a delicious and nutritious twist on the classic favorite. Made with high-protein elbow macaroni, creamy Greek yogurt, and a blend of cheddar, parmesan, and cottage cheeses, this recipe packs a protein punch while keeping the flavors indulgent and satisfying. Tender chunks of diced chicken breast and vibrant spinach are folded into the velvety cheese sauce, adding layers of nourishment and texture. Topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs, this baked mac and cheese achieves the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy. With just 40 minutes from prep to table, it's a wholesome, crowd-pleasing meal ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces high-protein elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 2 cups skim milk
• 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Cook the high-protein elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add whole wheat flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the skim milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 5

Turn off the heat and stir in cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, and cottage cheese until melted and well combined.

Step 6

Add Greek yogurt, diced chicken breast, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 7

Fold in the cooked macaroni and chopped spinach until well incorporated into the cheese sauce.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased baking dish.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the macaroni and cheese.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1662.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2993.5

Total Fat 128.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 67.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 532.2mg	0%
Sodium 4006.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 243.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.8g	0%
Total Sugars 52.4g
Protein 218.5g	0%

Vitamin D 260.3IU	0%
Calcium 2668.9mg	0%
Iron 14.4mg	0%
Potassium 2721.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.5%

Protein: 29.1%

Carbs: 32.4%