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Chicken, Broccoli & Cottage Cheese Mac ‘n’ Cheese

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

This Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also boasts an impressive 28g of protein per serving, making it a fantastic and healthy option for a satisfying weeknight meal. What makes this recipe even more appealing is its simplicity and versatility. It’s a brilliant way to repurpose leftover chicken or utilize a store-bought rotisserie chicken, significantly reducing cooking time and effort. I’m confident that you and your family, including the little ones, will absolutely adore this recipe!

A mouthwatering bowl of Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese, topped with melted cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, with a spoon enticingly placed in the bowl.

Why This Mac and Cheese Recipe is Exceptional

There are several compelling reasons why this particular mac and cheese recipe stands out from the crowd. It’s more than just a comforting classic; it’s a nutritional powerhouse packed with flavor and convenience.

  • Protein Powerhouse: Each serving delivers a substantial 28g of protein. The addition of chicken and cottage cheese significantly boosts the protein content, making it a filling and nutritious meal that will keep you satisfied for hours.
  • Unbelievably Creamy Sauce: The secret to the incredibly creamy sauce lies in the blended cottage cheese. When blended until smooth, cottage cheese creates a luxuriously creamy texture that clings beautifully to the pasta. It not only adds protein but also enhances the overall richness and flavor of the dish.
  • Perfect Use for Leftover Chicken: This recipe is an excellent solution for using up leftover chicken. Whether you have grilled chicken, baked chicken, or even pieces from a roasted chicken, they can all be transformed into a delectable mac and cheese. It’s also a great way to use rotisserie chicken for a quick meal.

Essential Ingredients for Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese

Let’s dive into the key ingredients that make this Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese so special. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition.

  • Cottage Cheese: This is the star ingredient for the creamy sauce. It’s crucial to use full-fat cottage cheese for the best results. The higher fat content contributes to a richer, creamier texture. Lower-fat cottage cheese contains more water, which can result in a thinner, less desirable sauce. For the smoothest sauce, blend the cottage cheese in a food processor or high-speed blender until perfectly creamy.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar cheese is highly recommended. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting as smoothly. Using freshly shredded cheddar ensures a gooey, cheesy, and satisfying finish. Feel free to experiment with different cheddar varieties, such as sharp, mild, or white cheddar, to customize the flavor to your preference.
  • Pasta: The choice of pasta is entirely up to you! However, it’s best to select a shape that effectively holds the creamy sauce. Fusilli, with its delightful twists and spirals, is an excellent option. Other good choices include rotini, shells, or cavatappi. Elbow macaroni works too for the nostalgia feel.
  • Broccoli: Broccoli adds a touch of freshness, color, and nutritional value to the mac and cheese. To simplify the cooking process, you’ll blanch the broccoli directly in the pasta water during the last minute of boiling. This eliminates the need for an extra pot and ensures that the broccoli is perfectly tender-crisp.
  • Cooked Chicken: This adds protein and flavor to the dish. Diced or shredded chicken is perfect.

A pot filled with perfectly cooked pasta and vibrant green broccoli, being gently stirred with a wooden spoon, with steam rising to indicate its freshness.
A luscious cheese sauce is being generously poured over a medley of chopped chicken, broccoli florets, and cooked pasta, all nestled in a pristine white baking dish, promising a delightful culinary experience.
A white dish brimming with creamy macaroni and cheese, adorned with melted cheese and tender broccoli pieces; a box of elbow pasta and a measuring cup subtly placed in the background, enhancing the scene's culinary appeal.
A fork delicately lifts a portion of cheesy pasta, complete with broccoli and chicken, from a vibrant yellow enamel bowl, showcasing the dish's appealing texture and vibrant colors.

Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese

To ensure your Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese turns out perfectly every time, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

  • Avoid Mixing in the Hot Pot: Resist the temptation to mix the pasta and cheese sauce together in the same pot where the pasta was cooked. The residual heat can cause the sauce to thin out and become soupy. Instead, combine the sauce and pasta in a separate bowl. For fewer dishes, you can even mix it directly in the serving bowl.
  • Use High-Fat Cottage Cheese: As mentioned earlier, the type of cottage cheese you use significantly impacts the sauce’s texture. Opt for full-fat or at least 2% cottage cheese for the creamiest results. Low-fat cottage cheese has a higher water content, which can lead to watery mac and cheese.
  • Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: You want the broccoli to be tender-crisp, not mushy. Blanching it in the last minute of the pasta cooking time is usually sufficient.

Explore More Mac and Cheese Recipes

If you’re a mac and cheese enthusiast, you’ll be thrilled to discover these other delicious variations:

  • 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

Chicken Broccoli Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

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

  1. Preheat the oven to broil and line a 9×9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the pasta, broccoli, and cooked chicken to a separate dish (not the hot saucepan), and fold in the cottage cheese sauce.
  5. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with more cheddar cheese and broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe 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

Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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