8 Easy Ways to Add More Protein to Your Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese typically provides plenty of carbs and fat. You can make this cozy, hearty dish more nutritionally balanced by adding protein, and you have more choices than you might expect.

1. Lean beef

A simple way to add protein while minimizing excess fat in macaroni and cheese is to add lean cuts of beef:

• Ground beef (93% fat-free) adds nearly 12 grams of protein in 2 ounces to a serving of mac and cheese. You can add it cooked, sprinkled as a garnish or mix it before cooking.
• Sliced ​​roast beefUsing a lean, trimmed chuck roast adds about 23 grams of protein in 3 oz.

2. Lean pork

Lean pork is low in calories and high in protein, so don’t overlook it as an option to upgrade your mac and cheese:

• Pork loin roastprimed to shed fat, contains 22 grams of protein in 3 oz. Grate it to mix into your mac and cheese.
• Unsalted Canadian Bacon offers a bit of the taste of American bacon without the nitrates and with less fat. Try two cooked slices, diced and added to the dish or served on top. It provides about 11 grams of protein, about 1.5 grams of fat, and just over 60 calories.

3. Chicken

Poultry can be a great choice when it comes to adding protein to macaroni and cheese:

• Diced Chicken sautéed with garlic, thyme and parsley makes a rich herb addition. Two ounces will add over 12 grams of protein and only about 60 calories.
• A roast chicken is a good option if you’re short on time to make macaroni and cheese. Remove the skin before adding it to the dish.
• Ground chicken mixes easily with macaroni and cheese. Brown it, crumble it and combine it with the other ingredients to add almost 20 grams of protein in 3 ounces.

4. Türkiye

You can add turkey in different ways:

• Low-fat turkey sausage will add a layer of flavor. Two ounces, sliced ​​or diced, contain just over 8 grams of protein and just under 5 grams of fat.
• 93% lean ground turkey is an easy addition, with about 10 grams of protein per 2 ounces and 5 grams of fat.
• Diced turkey breast gives the dish a different texture than ground turkey, and 2 ounces adds 9 grams of protein.

5. Seafood

Shellfish are high in protein and low in calories, and they can add a slightly sweet flavor to macaroni and cheese. Some seafood options are:

• Shrimp contains 20 grams of protein per 3 ounces and only 84 calories.
• Lobster pieces add 16 grams of protein per 3 ounces in a mac and cheese dish.
• Crab contains 15 grams of protein in 3 oz.

6. Legumes

Legumes (beans, peas and lentils) can add protein to macaroni and cheese. Consider these:

• Edamameor young soybeans, have a mild flavor and slightly nutty texture that pairs well with mac and cheese. Half a cup of edamame adds about 9 grams of protein.
• Green peas are another option. One cup provides just over 4 grams of protein.
• Cooked beans can be an earthy addition to mac and cheese. Per half cup, canned black beans contain 7 grams of protein, pinto beans 6 grams, and white beans 9.5 grams.
• Tofu is a soy product that is low in calories and easily takes on other flavors. Firm tofu can be baked or stir-fried, and 3 ounces adds 9 grams of protein.

7. Nuts

Nuts can add flavor and texture, in addition to protein:

• Crumbled walnuts will add savory taste as well as texture, plus 5 grams of protein in a quarter cup.
• Roasted and ground almonds mixed with breadcrumbs as a topping is another option, and the almonds add 6 grams of protein per quarter cup.

8. Dairy products

If you’re making your mac and cheese from scratch, remember that some cheeses contain more protein than others. Protein-friendly options are:

• Ricotta adds lightness and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Half a cup of part-skim ricotta contains 14 grams of protein.
• Cottage cheese can also lighten the dish, and 1/2 cup of 2% fat cottage cheese contains about 12 grams of protein and about 90 calories.
• Parmesan, grated to release its nutty and flavorful taste, contains about 8 grams of protein in 1 ounce.
• Cheddar, the go-to choice for mac and cheese, provides 6.5 grams of protein per ounce.
• Greek yogurt can replace some of the cheese (and fat) in your mac and cheese. An individual container of fat-free Greek yogurt adds creaminess to the dish along with 16 grams of protein and only about 1 gram of fat.