5 Mac N Cheese Comfort Meal Preps That Are Big on Protein Discover 5 high-protein, flavor-forward mac n cheese builds that actually reheat well. From Brisket Queso to Broccoli Cheddar Soup Mac, these Stealth Health dishes deliver comfort that fits real life.

5X5 Collection #1: Comfort Mac, Protein-First

Built for busy weeks and shared tables, these are the mac n cheese recipes our team and community make on repeat.

They’re Stealth Health builds—high-protein, freezer-friendly, and most importantly, satisfying. Count on clean portions, smooth sauces that hold up on reheat, and the kind of flavor that keeps you on track.

Print it, post it, or text it to someone who loves mac night. Everyone deserves real-good, feel-good food.

Please enjoy!

1. Brisket Queso Mac N Cheese

Slow-cooked brisket, a real-deal queso you blend smooth, and pasta that finishes right in the pot this one eats big without the after-drag. The Stealth Health Meal Prep Cookbook build keeps protein high and the sauce glossy on reheat, so every portion hits like the first pour. It’s the brisket mac you’d expect from a great smokehouse, tuned for weeknight flow and freezer life. Cook once, portion ten, and you’re set.

Per serving (makes 10): 560 Calories | 46g Protein | 63g Carbs | 16g Fat

Ingredients

Brisket

• 900g (32oz) flat-cut brisket, fat trimmed
• 400g (14oz) crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
• 120g (½ cup) red enchilada sauce
• 200g (7oz can) chipotle peppers in adobo
• 45g (3 Tbsp) green chiles
• 60g (4 Tbsp) honey
• 15g (1 Tbsp) salt
• 10g (2 tsp) onion powder
• 10g (2 tsp) black pepper

Blended Queso Sauce

• 800g (3⅓ cups) 2% cottage cheese
• 100g (4 slices) American cheese
• 150g (1½ cups) extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 80g (⅓ cup) red enchilada sauce
• 5g (1 tsp) nutritional yeast (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Pasta

• 672g (24oz) pasta of choice

Optional Garnish

• Chopped cilantro

Instructions

Follow along with this recipe video.

Freezing/Reheating

• Portion into 10 containers. Refrigerate or freeze.
• Reheat: microwave 3–4 minutes, stir, then 30–60 seconds more until hot and creamy.

2. Bacon Cheeseburger Mac N Cheese

Savory beef, center cut bacon, and that tangy burger sauce vibe layered into a creamy mac that holds up on reheat. From the Stealth Health Meal Prep Cookbook, it pushes protein, pulls back where it helps, and still delivers the crave you want on a Tuesday. Caramelized onions bring diner depth, and the blended cheese keeps things smooth after reheating. Big burger energy, meal prep discipline.

Per serving (makes 13): 535 Calories | 47g Protein | 48g Carbs | 18g Fat

Ingredients

Meat

• 1360g (48oz) 93% ground beef
• 8 slices center-cut bacon

Beef Marinade

• 794g (28oz) diced tomatoes
• 60g (4 Tbsp) sweet relish
• 45g (3 Tbsp) tomato paste
• 30g (2 Tbsp) garlic purée
• 30g (2 Tbsp) diced chipotles
• 25g (5 tsp) coarse salt
• 15g (1 Tbsp) onion powder
• 15g (1 Tbsp) garlic powder
• 15g (1 Tbsp) black pepper
• 15g (1 Tbsp) oregano
• 10g (2 tsp) cumin

Blended Cheese Sauce

• 800g (3⅓ cups) 2% cottage cheese
• 150g (1½ cups) extra-sharp cheddar, grated
• 125g (5 slices) American cheese
• 250ml (1 cup) 1% milk
• Salt & pepper to taste

Caramelized Onions

• 3 yellow onions, diced
• 480g (2 cups) beef bone broth
• Dash of soy sauce

Pasta

• 672g (24oz) pasta of choice, cooked to 50%

Garnish

• Chopped chives

Instructions

Follow along with this recipe video.

Freezing/Reheating

• Store frozen.
• Reheat 1 serving: microwave ~5 minutes, stirring halfway. Add a splash of milk if you like it looser.

3. Taco Mac N Cheese

Taco night meets mac night with seasoned beef, mild heat, and a blended cheese base that clings to every bite. The Stealth Health Meal Prep Cookbook version keeps it macro steady and weeknight simple, with short pasta that holds structure on reheat. It is a comfort you can portion cleanly, with enough flavor to skip the drive thru. Five bowls that feel like a plan, not a compromise.

Per serving (makes 5): 510 Calories | 41g Protein | 62g Carbs | 12g Fat

Ingredients

Taco Mixture

• 2 yellow bell peppers
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 onion
• 454g (16oz) 93% lean ground beef
• 30g (2 Tbsp) taco seasoning
• 50g (3 Tbsp + 1 tsp) red enchilada sauce
• To taste: chili powder, garlic powder

Mac N Cheese

• 330g pasta (short shape)
• 350g (1½ cups) 2% cottage cheese
• 25g (1 Tbsp + 2 tsp) cheddar powder
• 50g low-fat cheddar or Velveeta shreds
• 10g (2 tsp) nutritional yeast
• 50g (3 Tbsp + 1 tsp) 1% milk
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Follow along with this recipe video.

Freezing/Reheating

• Portion into 5 containers. Refrigerate or freeze.
• Reheat: microwave in 45–60 second bursts, stirring between, until hot and creamy. Add a splash of milk or water if you prefer it looser.

4. Chorizo Queso Mac N Cheese

Smoky chile depth, quick roasted peppers, and a silky queso that stays smooth tomorrow. This is a big flavor without the fuss. Built the Stealth Health Meal Prep Cookbook way, it leans on the slow cooker for the meat and finishes with a blender sauce that will not break. The result is bold, balanced, and freezer ready. Ten servings that bring the win when time is tight.

Per serving (makes 10): 600 Calories | 45g Protein

Ingredients

Roasted Vegetables

• 2 orange bell peppers
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 onion
• Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes

Meat & Sauce Base (slow cooker)

• 907g (32oz) 93% ground beef
• 227g (8oz) pork chorizo
• 120g (8 Tbsp) red enchilada sauce
• 400g (14oz can) fire-roasted tomatoes
• 30g (2 Tbsp) garlic purée
• 15g (1 Tbsp) chipotle peppers, diced
• 15g (1 Tbsp) adobo sauce
• 45g (3 Tbsp) apple cider vinegar

Spice Blend

• 15g (1 Tbsp) coarse kosher salt
• 15g (1 Tbsp) ground paprika
• 15g (1 Tbsp) ground oregano
• 5g (1 tsp) ground cumin
• 4.5g (1½ tsp) ground black pepper

Cook Time (choose one)

• High: 2–3 hours
• Low: 3–4 hours

Pasta

• 672g (24oz) pasta of choice, cooked to 50%

Blended Queso Sauce

• 800g (3⅓ cups) 2% cottage cheese
• 100g 1/3-fat cream cheese
• 150g extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
• 30g (2 Tbsp) cheddar powder
• 240g (16 Tbsp) red enchilada sauce
• 300ml (1¼ cups) milk
• Salt & pepper to taste

Optional Garnish

• Chopped cilantro

Instructions

Follow along with this recipe video.

Freezing/Reheating

• Portion into 10 containers. Refrigerate or freeze.
• Reheat: microwave 3–4 minutes, stir, then 30–60 seconds more until hot and creamy. Add 1–2 Tbsp milk if you like it looser.

5. Broccoli Cheddar Soup Mac N Cheese

All the broccoli cheddar soup comfort, reworked as a high protein mac that actually reheats like it’s fresh. The Stealth Health Meal Prep Cookbook approach uses slow cooker chicken for easy portions, roasts the broccoli for a real bite, and blends a cheddar base that stays glossy. It is familiar, but tuned for momentum instead of a slump. Twelve bowls, one effortless rhythm for the week.

Per serving (makes 12): 550 Calories | 46g Protein | 51g Carbs | 18g Fat

Ingredients

Chicken & Seasonings (slow cooker)

• 1340g (48oz) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 30g (2 Tbsp) garlic paste or minced garlic
• 30g (2 Tbsp) Worcestershire sauce
• 20g (1 Tbsp + 1 tsp) Dijon mustard
• 15g (1 Tbsp) onion powder
• 15g (1 Tbsp) garlic powder
• 15g (1 Tbsp) fine salt
• 10g (2 tsp) black pepper
• 10g (2 tsp) smoked paprika

Broccoli

• 400g broccoli florets (about 4 cups)
• 15g (1 Tbsp) olive oil

High-Protein Cheddar Sauce

• 800g (3⅓ cups) 2% cottage cheese
• 125g extra-sharp cheddar, grated (about 1 cup loosely packed)
• 125g American cheese, torn or diced (about 4–5 slices)
• 10g (2 tsp) nutritional yeast
• 650ml whole milk (about 2¾ cups)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Pasta

• 672g (24oz) short pasta of choice

Instructions

Follow along with this recipe video.

Freezing/Reheating

• Chill, then refrigerate or freeze.
• Reheat gently in short microwave bursts, stirring between rounds; add a splash of milk if you like it looser.

Better eating, less effort.

These five meals are just the beginning. If something here sparked your curiosity or gave you a little momentum, we’ve got more waiting for you:

• Explore the full Stealth Health Cookbook Collection categorically good food recipe builds made for real people and real life.
• Subscribe to the Meal Prep Weekly newsletter to get a written recipe that actually works with real life.
• Or throw Tom a follow on Instagram. We're always sharing new ways to eat better without giving up flavor, joy, or yourself.

Wherever you’re starting from, we’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep going one good meal at a time.

— The Stealth Health Kitchen Staff