Creamy High-Protein Mac and Cheese with Aged Cheddar & Parmesan

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If you're craving comfort food but want something a little better for you, this creamy, high-protein mac and cheese delivers! Made with protein- and fiber-rich Brami pasta, Kerrygold aged cheddar, and real Parmesan, it's rich, cheesy, and downright indulgent, a gourmet twist on a childhood favorite, made with better ingredients.

And here's what makes it even better: pair it with spicy sausage or grilled chicken, and you've got a satisfying, protein-forward meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Or serve it as a delicious side dish at your next family gathering.

With approximately 24 grams of protein per serving from the mac and cheese alone, you're getting all that creamy, comforting goodness along with quality protein to help support muscle maintenance.

Because eating well doesn't mean giving up the foods you love. Sometimes it just means making them a little smarter.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15–20 minutes Total Time: 25–30 minutes Servings: 4 Protein: Approximately 24g per serving Ingredients 8 oz Brami Curly Mac Protein Pasta (dry) 4 oz Kerrygold aged cheddar cheese, freshly grated 1 oz aged Parmesan cheese, finely grated 1¼ cups half-and-half 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional) ¼–½ cup reserved pasta water, plus more as needed Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste A Note About Ingredients Ingredient quality matters in my kitchen. Whenever possible and available, I choose organic, grass-fed, and non-GMO ingredients, and look for products with simple ingredient lists and minimal unnecessary additives. It's not about perfection; it's about making thoughtful choices and using the best ingredients that work for you and your family and budget.

Ingredients We Use ❇️ Brami High Protein Macaroni Pasta ❇️ Teton Grassfed Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage Equipment We Use ❇️ Hexclad 8qt Pot ❇️ HexClad 12-in Frying Pan Browse Our Kitchen Essentials (Some links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the Brami pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.

2. Prepare the cheeses. Freshly grate the aged cheddar and Parmesan. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.

3. Make the roux. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously.

4. Add the half-and-half. Gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.

5. Melt the cheeses. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Gradually stir in the cheddar and Parmesan until completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

6. Season the sauce. Stir in the Dijon mustard, if using. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.

7. Adjust the consistency. Stir in approximately ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the cheese sauce. The sauce should be slightly thinner than your desired finished consistency, as the pasta will absorb moisture.

8. Combine. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and gently fold until evenly coated. If needed, add additional reserved pasta water or a splash of warm half-and-half to maintain a creamy consistency.

9. Serve immediately. Enjoy as a comforting main dish or pair with your favorite protein, such as grilled chicken or spicy sausage, for an even more protein-rich meal.

Maria's Kitchen Tips

Keep it creamy: Protein-rich pasta can absorb quite a bit of sauce as it sits. Keep some reserved pasta water or warm half-and-half nearby to loosen the sauce before serving.

Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking ingredients that can affect how smoothly they melt. Freshly grated aged cheddar and Parmesan give this sauce its rich flavor and creamy texture.

Don't overheat the cheese: Remove the sauce from the heat before adding the cheese. Excessive heat can cause the proteins to tighten and the sauce to become grainy.

Make it a complete meal: We love serving this mac and cheese alongside Teton jalapeño cheddar bratwurst and sauerkraut. One bratwurst adds approximately 12g of protein, bringing the complete meal to approximately 36g of protein per serving.

Nutrition Note

Each serving provides approximately 24g of protein, including 12g from the Brami pasta, plus additional protein from the aged cheeses and half-and-half.

The Brami pasta also contributes approximately 5g of dietary fiber per serving.

Allergen Note: Brami Curly Mac is made with Italian wheat and lupini beans, so this recipe is not gluten-free. Lupini beans are legumes and may also cause allergic reactions, particularly in individuals with peanut allergies. This recipe also contains dairy.

Nutrition values are estimates based on four servings and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.