This protein mac and cheese is a more healthy model of a favourite consolation meals. It’s tremendous creamy, with a little bit of tang from the addition of Greek yogurt, and extra protein than conventional mac and cheese. It may be made with conventional, complete wheat, or gluten-free macaroni.
This recipe is an effective way to get in additional protein and calcium, making it more healthy and nonetheless as tasty as conventional mac and cheese.
It’s similar to this Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese, however for this recipe, I used Greek yogurt as a substitute of cottage cheese. Somebody requested if they may use it instead of cottage cheese, so I attempted it out.
You additionally don’t want a blender to make it. The blender is required for the cottage cheese model to clean out all of the lumps.
As a substitute of 1 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, you want 1/2 cup of milk and 1 cup of Greek yogurt. And to make it much less tangy, I added one other 1/2 cup of cheddar.
You additionally want a 3rd much less cornstarch. So I assume solely the pasta, garlic powder, salt and pepper quantities remained the identical. I additionally added a little bit of paprika to at the moment’s model, which helped make it a bit much less tangy.
The above image makes it seem like there’s not lots of sauce. However there’s lots.
Mac and cheese is at all times arduous to {photograph} as a result of it corporations up so rapidly. That is what it appears to be like like when heat and recent!
Elements
Right here’s an summary of every part you’ll want. To get the complete recipe, scroll right down to the recipe field.
When you don’t wish to use Greek yogurt, this Gluten-free Mac and Cheese is a extra conventional recipe. And you should utilize no matter sort of macaroni you’d like if you happen to’re not gluten-free.
The right way to make it
As soon as the pasta is cooked, comply with the instructions for al dente pasta and drain it with out rinsing.
Add the remaining elements to the pot and stir till it’s clean and thickened. As soon as the sauce is heated with no clumps of cheese, stir within the macaroni and serve.
I at all times add a splash of black pepper to my mac and cheese, however you possibly can add any seasoning or herbs you’d like as garnish.
Why Greek yogurt?
In comparison with the heavy cream present in conventional mac and cheese, Greek yogurt is an optimum substitute for attaining that creamy texture with out the additional fats.
I examined this recipe with full-fat (10%) and low-fat Greek yogurt (I attempted each 2% and 5%) and each labored. The photographer used Fage 2% within the images, and it labored nice.
She first used non-fat Chobani and mentioned the cheese sauce got here out grainy. We don’t have Chobani the place I stay, so I can’t check it myself.
So for now, I’m simply going to advocate that you just don’t use non-fat yogurt.
A cup of full-fat Greek yogurt sometimes accommodates round 20-25 grams of protein, relying on the model and particular product. This quantity can differ barely primarily based on components such because the fats content material and any added elements, however Greek yogurt is usually recognized for its increased protein content material in comparison with common yogurt.
Greek yogurt additionally has much less water than common yogurt, making for a thicker consistency, which is ideal for this mac and cheese.
Chickpea macaroni vs. common
Chickpea pasta sometimes accommodates considerably extra protein than common wheat-based and gluten-free corn and rice-based macaroni. Chickpea pasta can include round 20 grams of protein per serving, whereas conventional wheat-based or corn and rice-based macaroni normally accommodates about 7-8 grams of protein per serving. So, there’s roughly 2-3 instances extra protein in chickpea macaroni in comparison with common macaroni.
By way of style, chickpea macaroni has a barely nutty taste because of the chickpea flour. It additionally has a firmer texture in comparison with conventional pasta. Some individuals discover the style and texture fairly fulfilling, whereas others might have a while to regulate in the event that they’re used to conventional pasta.
As for availability, chickpea pasta has turn out to be more and more common lately on account of its increased protein content material and gluten-free nature. You possibly can typically discover it in well-stocked grocery shops, well being meals shops, and on-line retailers. It’s turning into extra mainstream, so it’s comparatively straightforward to seek out in lots of locations.
I attempted it for the primary time on this mac and cheese. I actually needed to pack in as a lot protein as I may!
I don’t like chickpeas (I solely use them for these chickpea cookies), so was shocked that I didn’t dislike it. On this dish, anyway.
I wasn’t a fan of it plain, however the cheese sauce did an important job of masking up a lot of the chickpea taste.
Al dente
You don’t wish to overcook your macaroni when making mac and cheese. I prefer to cook dinner pasta “al dente,” which means there’s somewhat chunk left within the macaroni. It’s not totally tender, however it doesn’t have lots of chew, both.
If the pasta instructions don’t embrace “al dente” directions, subtract one minute from the boiling time listed on the bundle.
Convey the water to a raging boil, add a very good quantity of salt, after which add the pasta.
There’s no must rinse the pasta with water as soon as it’s drained. The starch really helps the sauce stick with the macaroni.
Cheese
To get the cheesiest mac and cheese, add freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and Pecorino Romano or Parmesan with the remaining elements to get a clean cheese sauce.
Pecorino Romano is my favourite arduous cheese and is ideal on this mac and cheese. It’s sharper and saltier than Parmesan, however Parmesan additionally works effectively.
I don’t advocate utilizing pre-grated cheese. Whereas handy, it typically contains components akin to potato starch and natamycin to forestall the shreds from sticking collectively within the packaging.
Consequently, pre-shredded cheese might not soften as easily as cheese grated from a block. So grating your individual is basically greatest.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a good thickening agent, which helps obtain a clean consistency and prevents separation of the cheeses.
Potato starch can be utilized as a 1:1 sub for cornstarch. It’s additionally impartial in taste, which may work within the recipe.
Arrowroot gained’t work right here as a result of it interacts with dairy-based sauces to make them slimy relatively than thick and saucy.
The right way to retailer
You possibly can refrigerate this protein mac and cheese for as much as 4 days in an hermetic container.
I don’t advocate freezing. Freezing mac and cheese can alter its texture and style.
When frozen and thawed, the macaroni can turn out to be mushy, and the cheese sauce might separate or turn out to be grainy. It’s greatest to take pleasure in mac and cheese recent or refrigerate it for short-term storage relatively than freezing it.
To reheat
Put the mac and cheese on the stovetop in a saucepan or skillet over low to medium warmth and stir. I normally add somewhat milk to make it creamier.
If utilizing a microwave, place it in a microwave-safe container, add a splash of milk or cream, and warmth in brief intervals, stirring between every to warmth it evenly.
You can even warmth it within the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C). Put the mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish, add milk or cream and canopy with foil, stirring sometimes till it’s evenly warmed.
Irrespective of which methodology you employ, keep away from overheating it, because it’ll turn out to be dry and grainy.
Gluten-free
First, use gluten-free macaroni pasta.
Plain Greek yogurt is normally gluten-free as a result of it’s product of milk and stay cultures.
However yogurt can are available many differing types and flavors. Some might have anti-caking components containing gluten or have been manufactured in the identical facility the place gluten-containing elements are processed.
When you’re very delicate to gluten, it’s possible you’ll wish to discover plain Greek yogurt that’s labeled as gluten-free. Right here’s a listing of gluten-free yogurts which are straightforward to seek out.
Extra pasta
I hope you’ll like this protein mac and cheese. When you attempt it, I’d love to listen to what you suppose! Please depart a remark and revel in. Thanks. 🙂
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- Prep Time:
- Prepare dinner Time:
- Prepared in:
- Yield: 6-8 servings
Elements
- 12 ounces (3 cups – 340 grams) elbow macaroni (if you happen to’re gluten-free, use GF macaroni)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) complete milk
- 1 cup plain low-fat or full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon (10 grams) cornstarch or potato starch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (I used 1/2 teaspoon however like issues salty)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper + extra as garnish
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams / 6oz) grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare dinner the pasta in accordance with the bundle instructions for al dente. It’s necessary to not overcook it. Use a colander to empty the pasta however don’t rinse.
- Add the remaining elements to the pot (no must rinse it), and stir till clean and thickened.
- Add the cooked macaroni and stir till coated.
- Serve instantly. Leftovers could be cooled and refrigerated in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Notes
- I examined this with full-fat (10%) and low-fat Greek yogurt (2-5%) and each labored. The photographer used Fage 2% within the images, and it labored nice. She first used non-fat Chobani and mentioned the cheese sauce got here out grainy. We do not have Chobani the place I stay, so I am unable to check it myself. So I extremely advocate selecting low-fat or full-fat and never non-fat.
