Craving comfort food without derailing your health goals? This high-protein, high-fiber, low-carb cheeseburger mac and cheese is the perfect solution. With 55 grams of protein, 15 grams of fiber, and only 10 grams of net carbs per serving, this dish is not only satisfying but also packed with nutrition. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal for dinner or a protein-packed option for meal prep, this cheeseburger mac and cheese delivers on all fronts.
Let’s dive into this delicious and nutritious recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High in Protein: Each serving delivers an impressive 55 grams of protein, making it perfect for anyone focused on building muscle or staying fuller for longer.
- High in Fiber: With 15 grams of fiber per serving, this dish supports digestion and helps keep you satisfied.
- Low Carb: With only 10 grams of net carbs, this mac and cheese is suitable for low-carb diets.
- Versatile: You can use ground beef, bison, or turkey for the meat, making it adaptable to your preferences.
Protein Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
Cheeseburger Mac:
- 1 box high-protein pasta (I recommend Kaizen)
- 1 lb ground beef or bison (seasoned with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce)
Protein Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 tablespoons white cheddar powder (I like Porking Good for its clean, gluten-free ingredients)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons milk (I use Fairlife whole milk)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Prepare your high-protein pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the Ground Meat:
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb of ground beef or bison, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until fully browned and cooked through.
3. Make the Protein Cheese Sauce:
- In a blender, combine cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, white cheddar powder, nutritional yeast, and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. This high-protein cheese sauce is the secret to making this dish indulgent while still being healthy!
4. Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the browned meat.
- Pour the protein cheese sauce over the pasta and meat mixture, and toss everything together to ensure the pasta and meat are fully coated in the sauce.
5. Simmer and Serve:
- Let the cheeseburger mac and cheese simmer for a few minutes over low heat, allowing the sauce to thicken and everything to heat through.
- Serve hot and enjoy a hearty, protein-packed meal!
Tips for Success:
- Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, and simply reheat in the microwave for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Customize Your Meat: Feel free to use ground turkey or even chicken for a leaner option.
- Boost the Fiber: Swap out regular pasta for high-protein, high-fiber pasta to keep the dish lower in carbs and higher in nutrients.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and white cheddar powder creates a creamy, protein-rich sauce that mimics the comfort of traditional mac and cheese. Nutritional yeast adds a slightly nutty, cheesy flavor while keeping it dairy-free. Ground meat adds heartiness and even more protein, making this a filling and nutritious dish. Plus, using high-fiber pasta helps boost the fiber content, making it a healthier version of a classic favorite.
Final Thoughts
This high-protein, high-fiber cheeseburger mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food for anyone looking to maintain a balanced, low-carb diet without sacrificing taste. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with protein to keep you satisfied while supporting your health goals. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or whipping up a cozy dinner, this dish will become a staple in your kitchen.
Protein Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese Recipe
Enjoy this high-protein, low-carb cheeseburger mac and cheese recipe with 55g of protein and 15g of fiber per serving! A delicious, healthy twist on comfort food.
Ingredients
Cheeseburger Mac:
- 1 box high-protein pasta I recommend Kaizen
- 1 lb ground beef or bison seasoned with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Protein Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 tablespoons white cheddar powder I like Porking Good for its clean, gluten-free ingredients
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons milk I use Fairlife whole milk
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Prepare your high-protein pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Ground Meat:
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb of ground beef or bison, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until fully browned and cooked through.
Make the Protein Cheese Sauce:
- In a blender, combine cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, white cheddar powder, nutritional yeast, and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. This high-protein cheese sauce is the secret to making this dish indulgent while still being healthy!
Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the browned meat.
- Pour the protein cheese sauce over the pasta and meat mixture, and toss everything together to ensure the pasta and meat are fully coated in the sauce.
Simmer and Serve:
- Let the cheeseburger mac and cheese simmer for a few minutes over low heat, allowing the sauce to thicken and everything to heat through.
- Serve hot and enjoy a hearty, protein-packed meal!
Video
@watchlolita Protein Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese 🧀🍔🍝 55g protein, 15g fiber, 10g net carbs, 467 calories Protein Mac and Cheese 1 box high protein pasta (I like @Kaizen Food Company) 1 lb ground beef or bison, seasoned with salt, pepper and 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce 🧀 Protein Cheese Sauce 1 cup cottage cheese 3 tbsp white cheddar powder (I like @Pork King Good) 1/2 cup cheddar cheese 2 tbsp nutritional yeast 3 tbsp milk (I like @fairlife Protein Whole Milk) IB: @Stealth Health Life #macandcheese #healthymacandcheese #healthyrecipe #easyrecipe #highprotein #highproteinrecipes #proteinrecipes #highfiber ♬ original sound – Lolita 🦋
Notes
Meal Prep Friendly: This recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, and simply reheat in the microwave for a quick, satisfying meal.
Customize Your Meat: Feel free to use ground turkey or even chicken for a leaner option.
Boost the Fiber: Swap out regular pasta for high-protein, high-fiber pasta to keep the dish lower in carbs and higher in nutrients.
Nutrition
Calories: 613kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 50gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 398mgPotassium: 464mgFiber: 18gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 233IUCalcium: 178mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
