Baked Mac and Cheese with Sour Cream and Cottage Cheese

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 2 (8 ounce) packages mild Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.75 cup sour cream
• 0.75 cup cottage cheese
• 1 large egg
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
3. Reserve 1/2 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese; set aside.
4. Mix together remaining mild Cheddar cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and egg in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Stir cooked macaroni into cheese mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with reserved 1/2 cup mild Cheddar cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.