On top, I throw some plain or Italian panko and an additional layer of cheese. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to directions and drain. Mix well and set aside to allow the flavors to come together. In a large bowl, add the dry seasonings, cottage cheese, sour cream, 2 ½ cups of the cheddar cheese and the beaten egg.
![pioneer woman mac and cheese with cottage cheese pioneer woman mac and cheese with cottage cheese](https://d1yfn1dfres2va.cloudfront.net/001/95/96/95968a321f88407c8fe18b62965fc183_social01.jpg)
I have also substituted plain greek yogurt for the sour cream. Heat oven to 350✯ and grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray or butter. I omit the parsley and grind in a little salt and pepper. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time. To the ricotta mixture (the genius part of this recipe that makes it so creamy and wonderful), I throw in a little cayenne pepper, as well as extra amounts of the other seasonings to my taste. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. All in all, I try to get about 6 cups of shredded cheese in there (2 more cups than the recipe specifies) to make it super gooey and cheesy. I sometimes will grate in some extra-sharp cheddar as well. I change up the cheeses and use whatever cheese appeals to me on that day/whatever is in the fridge, usually starting with a six-cheese Italian blend and a sharp cheddar. Is there anything more comforting than mac and cheese I have been making this recipe for years now and it is one of our favorites. No boiling the noodles first and it is made all in one pan AN EASY HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE.
![pioneer woman mac and cheese with cottage cheese pioneer woman mac and cheese with cottage cheese](https://elevays.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Cottage-Cheese-Keto-1980x1320.jpg)
Cheddar and half-and-half make this macaroni and cheese creamy, and Dijon mustard gives it some flavorful bite. When your childhood comes calling, answer with a batch of from-scratch macaroni and cheese. All my family and friends are mac & cheese lovers and this recipe seems to come out on top out of all the ones I have tried. No Boil Homemade Macaroni and Cheese The easiest, creamiest homemade macaroni and cheese ever. Creamy cheese and dijon mustard makes this the perfect macaroni and cheese. Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese.
![pioneer woman mac and cheese with cottage cheese pioneer woman mac and cheese with cottage cheese](https://food.fnr.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/video/0/02/022/0220/0220491.jpg)
I have made variations on this several times (the original was a little bland for me).