If you’re trying to lose 10 pounds next month but don’t want to give up comfort food, weight loss coach Johnny Hadac says the key is flavorful, high-protein meal prep — like his viral Southwest Mac & Cheese. This dish is packed with lean protein, fiber, and nutrients that keep you full while helping you stay in a calorie deficit.
@drjohnnyhadac Southwest Mac & Cheese One of my favorite meal preps of all time. This recipe makes 10 servings, with each bowl coming in at just 480 calories and 49g of protein. Perfectly balanced, high-protein, and insanely satisfying. The best part? These are freezer-friendly, so you can stock up, prep ahead, and always have a delicious, macro-friendly meal ready to go. This is one I always keep on hand in residency — it saves me every single week. #mealprep #WeightLossCookbook #food #macrofriendly original sound – Johnny Hadac
A Flavorful and Filling Weight Loss Meal
Hadac’s recipe combines the heartiness of mac and cheese with a zesty southwest twist — and it’s designed to make sticking to your goals easy and satisfying.
“If you want to lose 10 pounds next month, you need more flavorful meal preps just like this,” Hadac says in his viral TikTok video.
Here’s how to make it:
- Start with the base.
Spray a pan with avocado oil and add two diced bell peppers, one sweet onion, and two jalapeño peppers. Then add three pounds of lean ground turkey and two packets of taco seasoning. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes over medium-high heat. - Cook the pasta.
In a separate pot, boil one box of protein pasta for 9 to 11 minutes until tender. - Blend the cheese sauce.
In a blender, combine four cups of cottage cheese, two cups of shredded jalapeño cheese, and the juice of one lime. Blend until smooth and creamy. - Mix it all together.
Once the turkey is cooked, add the cheese sauce and cooked pasta to the pan. Mix everything until evenly coated. Top with fresh cilantro for extra flavor.
Struggling With Sleep? This Rechargeable Sound Machine Is A Total Game-Changer
The Nutrition Breakdown
This recipe makes 10 servings, each about 480 calories with an impressive 49 grams of protein. The high protein content helps support muscle retention during weight loss and keeps hunger at bay — a crucial factor in sticking to your calorie goals.
The Bottom Line
Losing weight doesn’t mean eating bland food or skipping your favorites. Hadac’s Southwest Mac & Cheese proves that with a few smart swaps — like protein pasta and cottage cheese sauce — you can enjoy comfort food while still burning fat.
“Save this video for the next time you meal prep,” Hadac says, encouraging followers to try the dish and check out his Total Weight Loss Cookbook in the TikTok shop for more recipes like this.
