Single-serve Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese

• total time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

2 to 3 ounces short pasta (use protein pasta for extra protein)

1/4 cup full-fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup 2% or whole milk

1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Desired seasonings (squeeze of dijon, pinch of cayenne, etc.)

Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper

1 to 1/2 ounces freshly-grated cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve a scoop of pasta water; drain.

Directions

In a personal blender or mini food processor, combine cottage cheese, milk, cornstarch, flavorings, a pinch of salt, and several grinds black pepper.

Rinse pasta pot with cold water, wipe it dry, then add the sauce. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbling and beginning to thicken, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the cheddar, stirring, until melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water if needed (this helps if sauce is looking stringy).

Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat in the sauce. Top with more black pepper