Macro Friendly Mac and Cheese: A Protein Mac and Cheese Recipe You’ll Love
Featured Recipes:
Who doesn’t love diving into a classic, comforting bowl of creamy, cheesy mac and cheese? It’s the ultimate comfort food!
However, traditional mac and cheese is typically loaded with calories and high in fat, making it difficult to enjoy regularly while trying to hit your nutritional goals. But what if you could have your favorite cheesy pasta without sacrificing your macros? Good news… you absolutely can!
Scroll down to discover a variety of delicious, macro friendly mac and cheese recipes that offer all the indulgence you crave (minus the guilt).
Macro Friendly Mac and Cheese Recipe
One Pot Protein Mac and Cheese
Macros for 1/4th the Pot:
377 Cals, 42g Carbs, 12.25g Fat, 26.5g Protein
This One Pot Protein Mac and Cheese is the ultimate high-protein comfort food. Made with Banza elbows for extra protein, a creamy cheese sauce, and just one pot to clean, it’s an easy go-to meal that fits your macros. Whether you’re craving a cozy dinner or meal prepping for the week, this macro friendly mac and cheese delivers all the cheesy goodness without the crazy calories!
High Protein Mac and Cheese
Macros for each serving (makes 5):
445 Cals, 64g Carbs, 8g Fat, 30g Protein
If you’re craving mac and cheese but want to keep it high in protein, this High Protein Mac and Cheese is the move. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with 30g of protein per serving, thanks to the cottage cheese base. The best part? It’s just as comforting as the classic but way more macro friendly. Whether you need a post-workout meal or just a better way to enjoy mac and cheese, this protein mac and cheese recipe delivers.
Air Fryer Protein Mac n Cheese
Macros for the WHOLE Skillet:
392 Cals, 54g Carbs, 8g Fat, 26g Protein
Air Fryer Protein Mac and Cheese is everything you love about the classic but with way better macros. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with 26g of protein, it’s an easy one-skillet meal that fits perfectly into your macros. Plus, the air fryer gives it that golden, crispy top without extra fat. If you’ve been looking for a macro friendly mac and cheese that actually hits, this is it!
Elotes Inspired Mac & Cheese
Macros for 1/4th the Pot:
532 Cals, 67g Carbs, 8.5g Fat, 47g Protein
This Elotes inspired Mac and Cheese takes your favorite street corn flavors and packs them into a high-protein, macro friendly meal. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with bold spices, it’s a delicious way to hit your protein goals without sacrificing flavor. If you’re looking for a protein mac and cheese recipe with a little kick, this one’s a must-try!
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Macros for the WHOLE Bowl:
487 Cals, 52g Carbs, 11g Fat, 45g Protein
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese takes classic buffalo chicken flavors and turns them into a high-protein comfort meal! Creamy, spicy, and packed with 45g of protein per bowl, it’s a macro friendly mac and cheese you’ll want to make on repeat. Perfect for meal prep or a quick, satisfying protein mac and cheese!
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Macros for 1/4th of the Batch:
235 Cals, 20g Carbs, 9.25g Fat, 18g Protein
This macro friendly mac and cheese swaps pasta for cauliflower, giving you all the creamy, cheesy goodness with fewer carbs! Packed with protein and flavor, this Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a perfect guilt-free comfort meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create a delicious macro friendly mac and cheese, you’ll need a few key ingredients that deliver the rich, cheesy flavor and creamy texture you love, but with higher protein and fewer calories (that’s the protein mac and cheese way!). These simple swaps and essentials will help you enjoy your favorite comfort food while staying aligned with your nutritional goals:
- Macaroni pasta of your choice
- Water
- Fat free Milk
- All Purpose Flour
- Nutritional Yeast
- Yellow Mustard
- 2% sharp cheddar cheese
- Part skim Mozzarella
Step-by-Step Instructions
To prepare our macro friendly mac and cheese recipe, Here are the directions that’ll assist you to create the best mac and cheese of your choice (couldn’t be as easy as the following):
- Cook your pasta till slightly under el dente. They will cool a bit more once added to the pan.
- Blend the rest of your ingredients (save some of your 2% cheese to add later) until smooth.
- Add pasta to your pan along with your cheese sauce. Put the pan on a low heat and mix till it starts to really thicken up.
- Then add the rest of your cheese and mix in. Then enjoy!
Ways to Increase Protein in This Recipe
Enhancing the protein content of your macro friendly mac and cheese recipe, you can transform this classic comfort food into a more balanced and nutritious meal. Here are several strategies to boost the protein levels:
- Lean Protein Sources
- High Protein Pasta
- Cottage Cheese (fat free)
- 0% Fat Greek Yogurt
- Vegetables (such as: broccoli or edamame)
Tips on Storing Your Leftovers
If you plan on reheating this during the week, we’d suggest just skipping the heat on the pan part. Just mix everything together and add to meal prep containers. This will ensure it doesn’t dry out.
Closing Thoughts on Our Protein Mac and Cheese Recipe
Understanding what macro friendly really is, will help you tons in transforming your favorite childhood food to macro friendly meals (just like what we did with the ultimate favorite dish of mac and cheese). In case you missed it, here are the best versions we have offered for our macro friendly mac and cheese:
- High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Air Fryer Protein Mac n Cheese
- One Pot Protein Mac and Cheese
- Elotes inspired Mac and Cheese
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
And if you’re interested in recreating your personal Mac & Cheese favorites at home, don’t forget to try out the recipes we listed and more on our website page!