{
  "version": 1,
  "id": "r02",
  "slug": "cottage-cheese-mac-and-cheese",
  "title": "Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese",
  "category": "High-Protein Meals",
  "summary": "Ready in 20 minutes, about 670 kcal and 37 g protein per serving (estimated).",
  "servings": 2,
  "time": {
    "prepMin": 5,
    "cookMin": 15,
    "totalMin": 20
  },
  "difficulty": "easy",
  "dietTags": [
    "high-protein"
  ],
  "allergens": [
    "milk",
    "wheat"
  ],
  "macros": {
    "perServing": {
      "kcal": 670,
      "proteinG": 37,
      "carbsG": 85,
      "fatG": 20
    },
    "estimated": true,
    "basis": "Estimated: the sum of USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient, divided by 2 servings."
  },
  "equipment": [
    "Large pot",
    "Blender or stick blender",
    "Colander",
    "Wooden spoon"
  ],
  "ingredients": [
    {
      "item": "Elbow macaroni, dry",
      "metric": "200 g",
      "imperial": "7 oz",
      "note": "about 1⅔ cups dry",
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 200,
          "unit": "g"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 7,
          "unit": "oz"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Low-fat (2%) cottage cheese",
      "metric": "225 g",
      "imperial": "8 oz",
      "note": "1 cup",
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 225,
          "unit": "g"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 8,
          "unit": "oz"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Reduced-fat (2%) milk",
      "metric": "120 ml",
      "imperial": "½ cup",
      "note": null,
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 120,
          "unit": "ml"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 0.5,
          "unit": "cup"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Sharp cheddar, shredded",
      "metric": "85 g",
      "imperial": "3 oz",
      "note": "about ¾ cup",
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 85,
          "unit": "g"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 3,
          "unit": "oz"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Garlic powder",
      "metric": "2.5 ml",
      "imperial": "½ tsp",
      "note": null,
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 2.5,
          "unit": "ml"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 0.5,
          "unit": "tsp"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Dry mustard powder",
      "metric": "1.25 ml",
      "imperial": "¼ tsp",
      "note": "optional, makes it taste cheesier",
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 1.25,
          "unit": "ml"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 0.25,
          "unit": "tsp"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Salt and black pepper",
      "metric": "to taste",
      "imperial": "to taste",
      "note": "plus salt for the pasta water",
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": null,
        "imperial": null
      }
    },
    {
      "item": "Fresh chives, chopped (optional, to garnish)",
      "metric": "15 ml",
      "imperial": "1 tbsp",
      "note": null,
      "group": null,
      "amount": {
        "metric": {
          "value": 15,
          "unit": "ml"
        },
        "imperial": {
          "value": 1,
          "unit": "tbsp"
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  "steps": [
    {
      "n": 1,
      "title": "Blend the sauce",
      "text": "Put a large pot of well-salted water on to boil. Meanwhile, blend the cottage cheese, milk, garlic powder and mustard powder for about 1 minute, until completely smooth with no curds left.",
      "heat": null,
      "cookware": "blender",
      "time": "1 min",
      "image": "/img/r02/step-1.jpg?v=04a207002e",
      "ingredients": [
        1,
        2,
        4,
        5
      ]
    },
    {
      "n": 2,
      "title": "Cook the pasta",
      "text": "Boil the macaroni for 8-10 minutes, until just tender. Save ½ cup (120 ml) of the pasta water, then drain.",
      "heat": "high",
      "cookware": "large pot",
      "time": "8-10 min",
      "image": "/img/r02/step-2.jpg?v=d42dbd204c",
      "ingredients": [
        0
      ]
    },
    {
      "n": 3,
      "title": "Make it creamy",
      "text": "Put the drained pasta back in the pot over low heat. Stir in the blended sauce and the cheddar for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese melts. Keep the heat low so the sauce stays smooth, and loosen it with a splash of pasta water.",
      "heat": "low",
      "cookware": "large pot",
      "time": "2-3 min",
      "image": "/img/r02/step-3.jpg?v=b92954ca55",
      "ingredients": [
        1,
        3
      ]
    },
    {
      "n": 4,
      "title": "Season and serve",
      "text": "Season with salt and black pepper, spoon into bowls and scatter the chives on top. Serve straight away.",
      "heat": null,
      "cookware": "bowls",
      "time": "1 min",
      "image": "/img/r02/step-4.jpg?v=16d41dd608",
      "ingredients": [
        6,
        7
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tips": [
    "Blend the cottage cheese until there are no curds at all: that is what makes the sauce silky.",
    "Low heat only once the sauce is in: boiling can make cottage cheese turn grainy."
  ],
  "storage": "Keeps 3 days in the fridge in a closed container. Reheat gently with a splash of milk, stirring, until hot.",
  "safety": [],
  "images": {
    "cover": "/img/r02/cover.jpg?v=066a473c44",
    "hero": "/img/r02/hero.jpg?v=3591e14f3a",
    "thumb": "/img/r02/thumb.jpg?v=8a8e688a3f",
    "og": "/img/r02/og.jpg?v=9a3e2c02c1"
  },
  "videos": {
    "youtube": "https://youtube.com/shorts/2itpozp4XAw",
    "instagram": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeGh_RYop2I/",
    "tiktok": "https://www.tiktok.com/@getcrisped/video/7693062714817662215"
  },
  "card": {
    "url": "/card/r02.pdf?v=891ae6884b",
    "pages": 2,
    "bytes": 1044588
  },
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-05",
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-05T05:20:14Z"
}