High Protein Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Creamy buffalo chicken Mac and cheese made with a high protein cottage cheese based sauce, plenty of buffalo flavor and topped with buttery breadcrumbs.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 12 oz chickpea pasta *I like Barilla chickpea or Barilla protein plus pasta best for baking.
- 16 oz cottage cheese full-fat
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 cups shredded chicken cooked (can use rotisserie chicken)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp butter melted
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan off heat. Note: Be sure to read the directions because overcooking chickpea pasta will make it mushy. Also, make sure to check the size of your box of pasta because some chickpea pastas only come in 8 oz. and you'll need 1.5 boxes.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. In a blender or food processor combine cottage cheese, buffalo sauce, milk, ranch seasoning, cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy.
- Combine melted butter and breadcrumbs. Set aside.
- Add shredded chicken and cheese sauce to the noodles. Stir well until noodles and chicken are thoroughly coated with sauce.
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 15 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden brown and noodles are hot.
Notes
**Many chickpea pasta boxes only come in an 8 oz. size, so make sure to check. If using an 8 oz. box, use 1.5 boxes. If using a 16 oz. box, use about 3/4 of the box.
I recommend Barilla chickpea pasta or Barilla protein plus pasta because I find it holds up best when it's baked. Banza chickpea pasta will work too but tends to fall apart easier.
If you're sensitive to spicy food, start with 1/3 cup of buffalo sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 1620mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 496IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 390mg | Iron: 6mg
