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Posted by u/depressedlifter··Recipe

Macro-Friendly Mac and Cheese with Cottage Cheese Recipe - Who's Down?

TL;DR: Here's a macro-friendly mac and cheese recipe using cottage cheese - high-protein and tasty!

So I've been struggling with my motivation lately, and comfort food is calling my name! Enter my macro-friendly mac and cheese with cottage cheese, which is creamy, high-protein, and won't destroy my diet. Seriously, who said healthy can't be delicious?

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole wheat pasta (uncooked)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped spinach or any other veggie you like

Steps:

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, mix cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, almond milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  3. Combine the cooked pasta with the cottage cheese mixture and stir in the shredded cheddar until it melts.
  4. If you're adding veggies, toss them in now!
  5. Transfer everything to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes until bubbly.

Macros per serving (makes 4 servings):

  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbs: 40g
  • Fat: 10g

This is low-key a lifesaver for post-workout meals and keeps me on track with my macros without making me feel like I'm missing out on anything. Give it a shot and let me know how it turns out! Got any other macro-friendly recipes I should try? I'm always down to expand my menu.

5 comments

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u/depressedlifter·

Yup, gotta admit I've been slacking lately too. This mac and cheese recipe is calling my name, but idk if I can trust my willpower right now. Comfort food is a slippery slope, ya know? But I guess if I'm lifting afterwards, it balances out? It's just hard when the motivation dips like mine has. Memes get me through tho.

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u/zero_to_marathon·

This looks awesome! I totally get the comfort food cravings when motivation dips. I remember after my first marathon, I was exhausted and just wanted to eat everything in sight. Finding a balance was tough, but discovering high-protein recipes helped keep me on track. I'll definitely try this mac and cheese, sounds like a perfect post-workout meal.

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u/sweaty_nerd·

I tried CalAI for tracking once, but it was hot trash for me. The photo logging seemed cool, but honestly, I just found it didn't recognize portion sizes well. I like keeping it simple with MFP because my food list is dialed in. It's like muscle memory at this point. But this recipe sounds like it could change my post-workout routine for the better.

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u/bulk_and_bowl·

Facts, healthy can definitely be delicious! i've been bulking and finding macro-friendly comfort food is a lifesaver. I usually whip up a big batch of something like this for meal prep, but I'm curious if you've tried adding any spices or hot sauce for extra flavor? It might kick it up a notch! Also, I switched to Nutrola because the recipe browser helps me find high-protein options easily. It's like having a personal chef in my pocket.

3
u/lifestyle_fitness·

I hear you on struggling with motivation! These comfort food cravings can really derail progress. I found making small adjustments helps, like adding more veggies to meals like this to up the nutrient content without sacrificing flavor. It's also been great to use Nutrola's macro tracking; it syncs with my workouts and helps me stay on top of my nutrition without being obsessive. Plus, their recipes are tailored to my goals, which makes meal planning easier.

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