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Pumpkin High Protein Mac and Cheese

Pumpkin High Protein Mac and Cheese

This decadent dish boasts of 24g protein and 10g of fiber in just 1 serving! Your average boxed mac & cheese or traditional recipe doesn't even come close to those numbers. Try this pumpkin mac & cheese recipe for a healthy take on a comfort food classic.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course, Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 381
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces Red lentil pasta dry
  • 1 cup Cow's Milk whole; or milk of choice
  • 2 tbsp Oat Flour see note below for quick DIY oat flour
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1½ tsp Dijon Mustard
  • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 4 oz Cheddar Cheese shredded, about 1 cup
  • 1 cup Pureed Pumpkin
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground Black Pepper or to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta as per the directions on the package. When finished cooking, strain and run under cold water immediately to prevent from overcooking.
  2. Meanwhile, heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the milk is steaming, whisk in the oat flour until all clumps are gone.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until thoroughly combined. Turn down to low heat and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Pour the pumpkin sauce over the pasta and mix well. Serve with an additional source of protein. Divide into bowls and enjoy!
DIY Oat Flour
  1. Simply add rolled or quick oats to a blender & pulse until flour consistency.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (per serving):
  • 381 calories
  • 24g protein
  • 15g fat
  • 10g fiber
Recipe Notes:
  • Serving Size: One serving is approximately 1 1/2 cups.
  • Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days.
  • Additional Flavors: feel free to add chili flakes, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne, oregano and/or rosemary, as you like. 
  • For More Protein: Add cooked diced chicken or ground beef.
  • To Make It Dairy Free: Swap in unsweetened, unflavored non-dairy milk, dairy free shredded cheese, and swap in nutritional yeast for the Parmesan