Mac & Cheese Done Right

Shop Daily Deal Shop Daily Deal

Home / Recipe / Mac & Cheese Done Right

Recipes

COSORI

Mac & Cheese Done Right

15 Mins

Prep Time

5 Mins

cook Time

Servings

Curated by: Chef Jackie

Go to recipe

Looking for something that tastes decadent but can also be a part of a nutritious meal? Feast your eyes on our high-protein mac and cheese.

Contains

Wheat

Dairy/Milk

Cookware Used

TurboBlaze™ 6.0-Quart Air Fryer

See Product

Pin this Recipe

Mac & Cheese Done Right

We’ve cracked the code on combining decadent flavors with nutritious ingredients.Weuse ahigh-protein pasta and add extra protein and fiber to give you delicious mac and cheese with the nutrients your body needs.

Ingredient Swaps

Pasta: Instead of high-protein pasta, you can also use whole wheat, legume, or heart of palm pasta for similar nutritional value.

How to Pick Pasta:

Healthier Alternative: Look for pasta labeled high-protein, or types of pasta made from high-protein ingredients such as chickpeas.

What to serve with the High-Protein Air Fryer Mac & Cheese

How do you improve perfection? Try adding these delicious recipes and an entrée:

Entrees: Whole Roasted Chicken , Air Fryer Roast Beef, or Air Fryer Pesto Chicken & Tomato Skewers

Tools Needed

High-speed blender or immersion blender
Medium pot
8 x 8-inch square pan

Ingredients Needed

Pasta

4 cups high-protein short pasta (like elbow or cavatappi), cooked
0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Cheese Sauce

1 cup cottage cheese
1.5 cups sharp cheddar, shredded, divided
1 cup low-fat milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
0.75 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
A pinch of paprika
0.25 teaspoon nutritional yeast
0.5 teaspoon yellow mustard

Balsamic Vinaigrette

0.5 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad

4 cups baby spring mix
0.5 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half
0.5 cup Persian cucumber, large diced
0.25 cup fat-free feta cheese (optional)

Scale 1x 2x 3x

Yield 4 Serving

Instructions

PREPPING THE CHEESE & PASTA

Place all of the cheese sauce ingredients into the blender and blend on high until everything is well incorporated.
Place a medium pot onto the stove on medium heat.
Pour the cheese sauce into the pot and stir until it slightly thickens.
Add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat.
Transfer the pasta into an 8 x 8-inch square pan, then top with ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Place the crisper plate into the COSORI air fryer basket, then place the square pan onto the crisper plate.

COOKING THE PASTA & PREPPING THE SALAD

Select the Broil function, adjust temperature to 425°F and time to 5 minutes, then tap Start/Pause.
Remove the pasta when done and set aside.
Whisk together all of the ingredients for the balsamic vinaigrette until well combined.
Add the baby spring mix into a large bowl, top with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette, and toss to coat. Serve alongside the high-protein mac and cheese.

We recommend following the instructions for “al dente" pasta that is listed on the pasta’s packaging. If there are no instructions for al dente pasta, reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes.