High Protein Boxed Mac and Cheese
Take the boxed mac and cheese you love and add a little extra nutrition. This 4 ingredient healthier boxed mac and cheese has over 40g protein per serving and tastes even better than the original. Turn a comfort food into a proper meal that will keep you satiated for hours.
Servings: 2
Calories: 509kcal
Ingredients
- 1 box your favorite mac and cheese
- 1 cup frozen broccoli
- ½ cup 2% cottage cheese blended
- 150 g cooked chicken breast diced
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. With 4-5 minutes remaining in the cook time, add the frozen broccoli directly to the pot. It may take a few extra minutes for the water to re-boil. Check for when the pasta is al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water then strain out the rest.
- Add the cooked pasta and broccoli back to the pot and place off the heat. Stir in the cottage cheese and the cheese packet from the box. Add pasta water if needed to thin out the sauce.
- Divide the mac and cheese into two bowls and top each bowl with half the diced chicken. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use a regular mac and cheese or white cheddar mac and cheese. I like to use Annie's brand.
- Blend the cottage cheese ahead of time to remove the lumps. If the lumps don't bother you, skip this step.
- Use a rotisserie chicken for easy pre-cooked chicken.
- Trust me, the cottage cheese does not have any flavor! This recipe tastes just like the boxed mac and cheese made the normal way.
Nutrition
Calories: 509kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 8.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1051mg | Potassium: 721mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 2mg