Easy to make High Protein
If you’re looking for a comforting dinner that’s both high in protein and packed with veggies, this Veggie Loaded Mac & Cheese is just what you need. It’s a lightened-up version of the classic mac & cheese, loaded with flavour, creamy cottage cheese, and reduced-fat cheddar. Best of all, it’s incredibly budget-friendly, coming in at around £4.70 using ingredients from Waitrose’s Essential range.
Macros per serving:
598kcal – 41.1g protein – 78.2g carbs – 8.4g fat
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High in Protein: Cottage cheese and reduced-fat cheddar keep it creamy while boosting the protein content.
- Veggie-Packed: A hearty helping of vegetables adds nutrition without compromising taste.
- Easy to Make: The slow cooker does all the hard work, making this a fuss-free dinner.
Here are the Ingredients you will need: (Serves 2)
- Carrot: 1 medium (100g)
- Red pepper: 1 medium (120g)
- Onion: 1 medium (100g)
- Courgette: ½ medium (75g)
- Broccoli florets: A few (50g)
- Water: 400ml (1⅔ cups)
- Macaroni: 150g (1½ cups)
- Fat-free cottage cheese: 150g (½ cup)
- Reduced-fat cheddar cheese: 100g (1 cup), grated
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make Veggie Mac & Cheese:
Step 1: Prep Your Vegetables
Chop the carrot, red pepper, onion, courgette, and broccoli into small pieces. Add them to your slow cooker along with the garlic powder, mixed herbs, chilli powder, turmeric, salt, pepper, and water.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 1 hour or low for 2–3 hours, until the vegetables are soft and tender.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Once the vegetables are soft, add the cottage cheese and blend everything in the slow cooker until it forms a smooth, creamy sauce.
Step 4: Add the Pasta
Stir in the dry macaroni, ensuring it’s well coated in the sauce. Cover again and cook on high for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to make sure the liquid doesn’t dry out. If it starts to look dry, add a splash of water.
Step 5: Add the Cheese
Once the pasta is cooked, stir in half of the grated cheddar cheese. Use the remaining cheese to top the dish. For a crispy, golden finish, use a blowtorch or place under the grill until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon the creamy, cheesy goodness onto plates and dig in.
Why Trying it?
This dish combines the indulgent creaminess of mac & cheese with the nutritional boost of vegetables, all while keeping the fat content low. The slow cooker allows the flavours to meld beautifully, while the cottage cheese creates a silky, protein-rich sauce that’s surprisingly light.
Enjoy this Veggie Loaded Mac & Cheese as a satisfying weeknight dinner or a meal prep option that reheats like a dream. It’s comfort food with a healthy twist.
Let me know how it turns out for you!
You can see this recipe on instagram: 
