Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese: A Protein-Packed Delight

Looking for a comforting, protein-rich meal that’s also incredibly easy to make? This Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is your answer! With a whopping 28g of protein per serving, it’s the ultimate guilt-free indulgence for busy weeknights. This recipe is also a fantastic way to repurpose leftover chicken or utilize a convenient rotisserie chicken from the store. Prepare to fall in love with this updated classic, just like my family and I have!

A creamy bowl of Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese, garnished with melted cheese and red pepper flakes. — A satisfying bowl of creamy, cheesy goodness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

High in Protein: Each serving boasts 28g of protein, making it a filling and nutritious meal.
Ultra-Creamy Sauce: Blended cottage cheese is the secret ingredient! It adds a creamy texture that clings perfectly to the noodles, while also boosting the protein content.
Perfect for Leftovers: A brilliant way to use leftover cooked chicken or a quick rotisserie chicken for a speedy dinner.
Kid-Friendly: A delicious and sneaky way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

Key Ingredients

Let’s break down the star players in this mac and cheese masterpiece:

Cottage Cheese: The foundation of our creamy sauce. Be sure to use full-fat cottage cheese for the best texture and flavor. Lower-fat versions tend to have a higher water content, which can result in a watery sauce. Aim for a smooth consistency by blending it in a food processor or high-speed blender.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar cheese provides that classic mac and cheese flavor and melty goodness.
Pasta: Feel free to get creative with your pasta choice! I recommend using fusilli or another twirly pasta shape that will capture plenty of that delicious sauce. Elbow macaroni is another great option.
Broccoli: Adds a pop of color and essential nutrients. To simplify the cooking process, you’ll blanch the broccoli in the pasta water during the last minute of boiling.
Cooked Chicken: Use leftover roasted chicken, grilled chicken, or rotisserie chicken. Cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Step-by-Step Instructions with Visuals

Follow these easy steps to create your own Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese:

Pasta and broccoli boiling in a pot. — Step 1: Cook pasta and broccoli.

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package directions. During the last minute of cooking, add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water to blanch it. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.

Cheese sauce being poured over pasta, chicken, and broccoli in a baking dish. — Step 2: Combine ingredients and cheese sauce.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, and cooked chicken. In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, reserved pasta water, sea salt, and chicken broth (if using). Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and gently stir to combine.

Mac and cheese in a white dish topped with melted cheese and broccoli. — Step 3: Bake and enjoy!

Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with additional shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

A fork lifting a portion of cheesy pasta with broccoli and chicken. — Enjoy your delicious and protein-packed meal!

Essential Tips for Mac and Cheese Success

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Aim for al dente pasta to avoid a mushy final product.
Use Quality Cheese: Opt for freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded, as it melts more smoothly.
Don’t Mix in the Hot Pot: Avoid combining the pasta and cheese sauce directly in the hot pot used to cook the pasta. The residual heat can cause the sauce to become thin and soupy. Mix in a separate bowl for best results.
High-Fat Cottage Cheese is Key: Use full-fat cottage cheese or at least 2% for the creamiest possible sauce.

Variations and Add-ins

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! Here are a few ideas:

Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce for a subtle kick.
Add More Veggies: Incorporate other vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers.
Different Cheeses: Experiment with different cheese combinations, such as Gruyere, Gouda, or Monterey Jack.
Breadcrumb Topping: For a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese before baking.

Serving Suggestions

This Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese is a complete meal on its own. However, it also pairs well with:

A simple side salad
Roasted vegetables
Garlic bread

More Mac and Cheese Inspiration

Craving more mac and cheese variations? Explore these delicious recipes:

Vegan Mac and Cheese
Whipped Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Protein Mac and Cheese
Classic Mac and Cheese
Mac and Chili
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Recipe Card: Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese

Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

This chicken broccoli cottage cheese mac and cheese packs 28g of protein per serving and makes for the ultimate easy weeknight meal. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!

By: Emily Richter

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Servings: 6

Ingredients

6 oz. elbow macaroni, ~2 cups
2 cups chopped broccoli
1 cup 2% cottage cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, +more for topping
¼ cup reserved pasta water
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
½ teaspoon sea salt
⅓ cup chicken broth

Instructions

Preheat the oven to broil and line a 9×9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper.
Boil the noodles according to package instructions. Add the broccoli to the boiling water when there is about 1 minute left of boiling time to blanch the broccoli. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then strain and set aside.
Add the cottage cheese, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon reserved pasta water and sea salt to the blender and blend until completely smooth. If the sauce is not smooth, add more water 1 teaspoon at a time.
Add the pasta, broccoli, and cooked chicken to a separate dish (not the hot saucepan), and fold in the cottage cheese sauce.
Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with more cheddar cheese and broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Notes

If you add all the ingredients back into the hot sauce pan, it will thin your cheese sauce out too much. Don’t do this.
I used 2% cottage cheese, but any type will work.
I used shredded cheddar cheese, but any melty cheese could work. For example, gruyere, gouda, Monterey Jack, or even American cheese would be great substitutions.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 18g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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