Homemade Protein Mac and Cheese
This high-protein Mac and cheese is one of my favorite things to make when I want to indulge. The creamy cheese sauce is easy to make with two kinds of cheddar cheese, milk, butter and flour. The whole family loves this one because it’s simple, rich and classic.
Using a mixture of low-fat cheese and regular cheese makes this lower fat than a classic recipe but the same creamy texture. Be sure to use at least half with full-fat cheese for it to melt properly.
I use cellentani noodles because they’re fun and unique but any short pasta works well here. For an extra protein boost, use a high-protein pasta or add blackened chicken. You can also turn this into my fan favorite, high protein taco mac and cheese.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- 19 g protein per serving.
- Use any pasta of choice.
Ingredients and Substitutes:
These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See recipe card below for full ingredients list and instructions for protein mac and cheese.
- Cellentani Pasta Noodles: for a more classic mac, use elbow macaroni or your favorite regular pasta. For extra protein, use a high protein pasta.
- Unsalted Butter
- All-Purpose Flour
- Whole Milk: or heavy cream for an extra creamy mac.
- Cheddar Cheese: this recipe uses two kinds of cheddar cheese. Medium cheddar and reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese. Reduced fat cheese doesn’t melt as well so the combo of the two keeps it nice and melty. You can use pre-shredded cheese but I prefer to shred myself for the freshest taste.
- Garlic Powder
Variations
- Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper for some heat.
- Serve with baked chicken tenderloins or blackened chicken for added protein.
Dietary Modifications
- For gluten-free, use a gluten-free pasta, such as chickpea pasta and a gluten-free flour.
- I do not suggest trying to make this dairy free.
How to make high protein mac and cheese:
Step 1: cook noodles
Cook your pasta noodles according to package instructions. Drain.
Step 2: make base
Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until combined into a thick paste. Stir and cook the paste for 1 minute. Slowly add milk and continually whisk. Add salt, pepper and garlic. Simmer and whisk until everything is well combined and the sauce begins to thicken. Approx. 3 mins.
Step 3: make cheese sauce
Once the sauce has thickened, slowly add the cheese and mix until all the cheese has melted and a cheese sauce has formed. Add pasta and mix together. Enjoy!
Expert Tip!
If using this for meal prep, add a splash of milk the next day if it seems too thick.
Recipe FAQs
This protein mac and cheese is great alone but even better with added protein and veggies. Add peas, broccoli or some Air Fryer Blackened Chicken.
This one is best when eaten right away. If you have leftovers, I suggest turning it into taco mac and cheese or add air fryer blackened chicken.
Anything you love! Mac and cheese is best with shorter noodles so that’s usually what I go for when making this. I’ve tried this with both high protein pasta and chickpea pasta and both were good!
Check out some of our other easy meals!
High Protein Macaroni and Cheese
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook your pasta noodles according to package prior to the below steps.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until combined into a thick paste. Stir and cook the paste for 1 minute. Slowly add milk and continually whisk. Add salt, pepper and garlic. Simmer and whisk until everything is well combined and the sauce begins to thicken. Approx. 3 mins.
- Once the sauce has thickened, slowly add the cheese and mix until all the cheese has melted and a cheese sauce has formed. Add pasta and mix together. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary with substitutions.
- Use any type of pasta noodle.
So good!! So easy!! And my son loves it and has no idea it’s a healthier version.
Made this for my twins’ Bday tonight because it’s their favorite!
What do you think about using fat free half & half instead of the whole milk? I have fat free half & half or nonfat milk
Fat free half and half will work great.
No more boxed Mac and cheese at our house. I was so surprised at how easy this was. It was so delicious too!!
My kids request this recipe and they are tough critics when it comes to Mac and Cheese!
What brand of cheese do you use?
Usually Lucerne.
This is delicious and was super easy to make. Please note, this is coming from someone who does not cook and has never made a gravy or cheese sauce. I was so nervous, but instructions were perfect and it came out great!!
That is great to hear!! So glad you loved it!
Very good and way more healthy than velveeta!