Day 2: Trying Healthy Recipes and Seeing If My Kids Will Eat Them 👀
High-Protein Mac & Cheese… Or as My Kids Call It: “Orange Pasta”
After Day 1’s Butter Chicken miracle, I was cautiously optimistic about today’s mission: a high-protein mac & cheese. The original version is a family favourite, so I figured if I could nail the look and smell, I’d stand a solid chance of pulling this off.
BUT… there was one major catch: this upgraded recipe calls for a healthy dose of cottage cheese. And let me tell you, if our boys even suspect cottage cheese is involved, they’ll bolt and possibly never trust me again.
So yes, the stakes were sky-high.
If this works, we’ve transformed another “unhealthy fav” into a nutrient-loaded dinner with 25 grams of protein per serving, plus bonus calcium and vitamin D. If it fails, I may be exiled from family meal planning indefinitely 😂
Mission Objective: Hide the Healthy Stuff
This dish had to pass the ultimate kid test—and there’s a lot of healthiness to sneak in.
Why a Healthier Mac & Cheese?
Because let’s be honest: mac and cheese is the universal comfort food. But the traditional version? It’s just a bowl of creamy carbs with basically no staying power. That’s a problem—especially for kids.
One of the biggest gaps I see in kids’ diets today is a serious lack of protein. It’s why they’re constantly craving snacks. They’re just not satisfied.
But here’s the good news: protein is the most satiating macronutrient, and this version is loaded with it.
We’ve created a rich, cheesy, and protein-packed sauce with:
25g protein
9g carbs
10g fat
per serving. And no nap-inducing food coma required.
You can pour this sauce over any noodles—chickpea, whole wheat, high-protein, or even plain old elbows if that’s what keeps the peace. It’s also super easy to prep ahead and store in the fridge. Easy. Realistic. Healthier. That’s the goal.
KID RATING: 9/10
I’m just as shocked as you are to be writing this, but… we had another miracle.
All four boys loved it.
Yes, there was a bit of initial hesitation (hence why the score isn’t a perfect 10) as they definitely sensed something was up. But a few minutes later, they were all in.
Hudson: devoured his bowl
Boden & Preston: finished about 90% and gave big thumbs ups
Ashton: cleared around 70% (and I gave him a decent portion size so I consider it a win)
Considering how much healthier this is than traditional mac and cheese, this was a massive win in my books.
So yes, this recipe is HIGHLY recommended. Save it, share it, and if you haven’t already—subscribe! I'm on a mission to help more families eat healthier in ways that are actually doable (and delicious).
The Kid-Friendly Nutrition Mission Continues…
The goal today was simple:
Take a beloved classic and sneak in serious nutrition… without triggering the “this tastes weird” radar.
We swapped out heavy cream for cottage cheese, used organic cheddar powder for bold flavor, and blended everything until it was smoother than a bedtime bribe. Deception, but make it delicious
Protein-Packed Mac & Cheese Sauce
Makes: 4 servings
Macros (Per Serving):
Calories: 210 kcal
Protein: 25g
Carbs: 9g
Fat: 10g
📦 Enough sauce for 1 lb of noodles—your choice of pasta.
LEAN-gredients:
450g 2% cottage cheese
80g 2% cheddar (or your fave cheddar)
20g Parmigiano Reggiano
30g cheddar cheese powder
150g milk (we used 2%)
Salt & pepper to taste
How to Make It (a.k.a. Sauce Your Way to Victory)
Add all of your ingredients into a small pot. Stir on low heat for 1-2 minutes and then add into a blender until smooth.
Pour your blended, high protein sauce into saucepan and warm over low heat until warm.
Stir into freshly cooked noodles and serve immediately before anyone gets suspicious.
Optional for adults: Sprinkle paprika or chili flakes.
Optional for kids: A little salt or butter *I didn’t do this but never a bad idea*
Final Thoughts…
Parenting is tough. Brodie and I are far from perfect. But we’re committed to helping our boys grow up healthier and happier and that starts with small, consistent wins at the dinner table.
So if you’re a parent trying to do the same, try this recipe. And if you know other parents looking for healthier kid-friendly options, share this blog with them.
This journey is just getting started. And together, we can change the future of our kids—one “orange pasta” bowl at a time.