Description
A comforting and creamy Egg Noodle Mac & Cheese dish featuring wide egg noodles baked in a rich blend of cheddar cheese soup, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and half-and-half, topped with Parmesan and crunchy croutons for a deliciously golden finish. Perfect for a comforting family meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16-oz) package wide egg noodles
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 (10.5-oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, cubed
- 2 Tbsp butter
- Seasoned salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup crushed salad croutons
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the wide egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain thoroughly to remove excess water.
- Combine Noodles and Cottage Cheese: In a large bowl or directly in the baking dish, mix the drained noodles with the cottage cheese until evenly combined. Spread this mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the condensed cheddar cheese soup, half-and-half, shredded Cheddar cheese, cubed cream cheese, and butter. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and all the cheese and butter are fully melted and blended. Season with seasoned salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Assemble and Mix: Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the noodles and cottage cheese in the baking dish. Toss gently to combine if desired, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the creamy cheese sauce.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, followed by the crushed salad croutons to add a delightful crunchy texture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your warm, creamy homemade Egg Noodle Mac & Cheese!
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half with whole milk or heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika to the cheese sauce.
- If preferred, swap salad croutons for breadcrumbs to customize the topping texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Make sure to not overcook the noodles initially as they will continue cooking in the oven.
