Mac and cheese holds a special place in family meals, and crafting it from scratch elevates the experience. This macaroni and cheese casserole recipe, enriched with cottage cheese and sour cream, transforms the classic dish into a creamy delight. With the right blend of sharp cheddar, mild cottage cheese, and Parmesan, seasoned and crowned with breadcrumbs, it's a game-changer ready within an hour—ideal for those bustling weeknights.
The magic here lies in the combination of cottage cheese and sour cream. The sharpness of cheddar beautifully balances the subtlety of cottage cheese, while Parmesan brings it all together in a cheesy symphony. A touch of salt, pepper, and a crispy breadcrumb topping seals the deal, ensuring a flavorful mac and cheese experience.
Feel free to take this recipe as a canvas for your culinary adventures. Experiment by adding leftover chicken or tossing in cooked veggies. Spice it up with paprika, garlic powder, or any other seasoning from your kitchen arsenal. Though elbow macaroni reigns supreme, explore other short pasta shapes—bowties, shells, or corkscrews—for a playful twist.
This casserole shines as a standalone dish, accompanied by bread and a fresh salad, creating a light yet satisfying meal. It's equally adept as a side dish, complementing your family's preferred beef, chicken, or pork mains with its comforting allure.
01. Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 375°F.
02. Boil salted water and cook the elbow macaroni for one minute less than instructed.
03. Thoroughly drain the macaroni and place it in a 9 x 12-inch baking dish.
04. Mix in the cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
05. Combine the breadcrumbs and melted butter in a small bowl.
06. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the casserole.
07. Bake for 35 minutes until the top turns golden brown and bubbles appear.
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