High Protein Buffalo Mac and Cheese (With Soy Curls)
This buffalo mac and cheese is spicy, creamy, and packed with hidden protein—made with protein pasta, cottage cheese sauce, and soy curls. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Servings: 4 large servings
Ingredients
High Protein Cheese Sauce
- 3 cups low-fat cottage cheese 675 g
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 100 g
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce 60 mL
- ¾ cup milk 175 mL
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ¼ tsp salt and pepper
Pasta
- 12 oz high protein pasta of choice 340 g
- 1 Tbsp olive oil 30 mL
- 1 large orange bell pepper finely diced
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 8-oz bag dried soy curls 6 cups, 226 g
- 4 cups vegetable broth 1 L
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce 60 mL
- 1 Tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce 15 mL
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
To Serve
- 6 to 8 slices vegan bacon
- ¼ cup finely cut chives
Instructions
- Vegan Bacon (optional): If adding it, cook the 6 to 8 slices vegan bacon until crispy, then chop into pieces and set aside.
- Cheese Sauce: In a high-speed blender, blend 3 cups low-fat cottage cheese, 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, ¾ cup milk, ½ tsp mustard powder, and ¼ tsp salt and pepper until smooth and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes of blending. Set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Cook 12 oz high protein pasta of choice in salted water according to package instructions, cooking to al dente.
- Simmer: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot or very saute pan, then add 1 large orange bell pepper (finely diced) and 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced). Cook until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.Stir in 1 8-oz bag dried soy curls, 4 cups vegetable broth, ¼ cup buffalo sauce, 1 Tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp garlic powder. Let's simmer uncovered until all of the broth is either absorbed or evaporated, about 10 minutes.
- Stir: Into the pot of soy curls stir the cooked pasta, cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and ¼ cup finely cut chives. Serve warm!
Video
Notes
My cheese sauce is grainy or clumpy. This is likely from overheating. Once everything is mixed, don’t continue cooking the sauce. Let the residual heat from the pasta and pan melt everything together.
My soy curls are too chewy or dry. What happened? You may have under-hydrated them. Make sure they absorb the broth mixture before combining them with the pasta and sauce.
Where can I find soy curls? Look in the dry goods section or vegan aisle at natural grocery stores. Butler is our go-to brand, and they’re also easy to order online.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it. Let the mac cool completely, then freeze in individual containers. Pro tip: cook the pasta for only half the time listed on the box (this keeps it from going mushy later on). Let thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat.
Meal Prep: This makes an easy vegetarian meal prep, too! Let the mac cool completely, then freeze in individual containers. Pro tip: cook the pasta for only half the time listed on the box (this keeps it from going mushy later on).
Nutrition
Serving: 1large serving | Calories: 781kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 65g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 1860mg | Potassium: 1240mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2300IU | Vitamin C: 70mg | Calcium: 530mg | Iron: 8.5mg
