Soft noodles, gooey cheese, a crumbly topping--these words simply burst with comfort food! And they're all characteristics of this macaroni and cheese!
¼teaspooncayenne pepper, optional (more if you like it spicy)
pinchground nutmeg
1tablespoonsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9- by 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish by spraying it with coconut oil cooking spray; set aside.
Prepare the macaroni noodles according to the package directions.
Meanwhile, add the cottage cheese, milk, cream, egg yolk, mustard powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne, and nutmeg together in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Drain the macaroni and add the creamy mixture to it. Add all but about ½ cup of the cheese and mix everything together.
Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and drizzle the butter over the top.
Bake for 30 or more minutes or until heated through, bubbly, and the cheese on top is beginning to crisp.
Garnish with fresh or dried parsley (optional).
Notes
If you would like to adultify this mac and cheese a bit more, try adding in a medium, chopped, sautéed yellow onion and 3 minced, sautéed garlic cloves instead of the garlic powder and onion powder.If you'd like more meat (my hubby likes it better when I add meat), some good ideas include bacon, ham, shrimp, link sausage, lobster, crab, and chicken. Sauté or cook the meat as necessary before adding it to the mac and cheese. If adding bacon, ham, or link sausage, consider reducing or omitting salt.