Description
Succulent pulled pork mac and cheese blends Southern comfort with creamy pasta perfection. Hearty layers of smoky meat and rich cheese sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 cups pulled pork
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1 1/3 cups cottage cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, following package instructions. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a generously greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Create a smooth roux in a medium saucepan by melting butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt, and sugar until the mixture becomes uniform and free of lumps.
- Slowly stream milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent clumping. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until it thickens to a velvety consistency. Reduce heat to low.
- Incorporate Velveeta cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a creamy sauce.
- Blend in cottage cheese, sour cream, and one cup of cheddar cheese, mixing until smooth and fully integrated.
- Pour the rich cheese mixture evenly over the prepared macaroni, ensuring complete coverage.
- Combine pulled pork with barbecue sauce in a separate bowl, mixing thoroughly. Distribute the sauced pulled pork uniformly across the mac and cheese surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top, creating a generous cheese layer.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the dish is heated through and cheese is bubbly.
- Optional: Garnish with crispy french fried onions or freshly chopped parsley for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize Protein Options swap pulled pork with shredded chicken, crispy bacon bits, or plant-based pulled jackfruit for diverse dietary preferences.
- Cheese Flexibility experiment with different cheese combinations like smoked gouda, pepper jack, or sharp cheddar to enhance flavor complexity.
- Make-Ahead Magic prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, refrigerate for 24 hours, then bake when ready for convenient meal planning.
- Texture Enhancement toast breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top before final baking for extra crunch and golden-brown finish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 584
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1092 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg