Mac and cheese is one of the those comfort food dishes that is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
So when my coworkers suggested I try out a mac and cheese made with Israeli couscous, instead of traditionally larger pasta like elbows or shells or cavatappi, I happily accepted the challenge and decided to combine a more American-style pasta dish with some Israeli flavors, like cottage cheese and feta.
This baked dish is cheesy and familiar enough to feed the kids, but just different enough to grab the attention of adults. You can make it ahead, serve it for a weeknight dinner or serve it alongside some baked salmon for Shavuot.
Israeli Couscous Mac & Cheese Recipe
An American-style pasta dish gets a Middle Eastern makeover.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 2 Ā½ cups uncooked Israeli couscous (also called Middle Eastern couscous, or pearl couscous)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk or half & half
- 8 oz 4% cottage cheese (around 1 cup)
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
- Ā¼ tsp salt
- ā tsp black pepper
For the topping:
- ā cup unseasoned bread crumbs
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Ā¼ tsp paprika
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add 1 tsp olive oil.
- Cook couscous 5 minutes. DrainĀ in a large mesh sieve.
- While couscous is cooking, combine 4 Tbsp butter and all the cheeses, milk, salt and pepper in large bowl.
- Grease an 8Ć8 or 9Ć9-inch square pan.
- Drain couscous and add to bowl with cheeses. Mix well.
- Add to couscous mixture to greased pan. Preheat oven to 375Ā°F.
- In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, 1 Tbsp melted butter, paprika and pinch of salt.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly over top over couscous.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before cutting and serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Israeli
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I made this for a Shavuot get together and everyone loved it! Great recipe!