Description
A comforting dish that combines creamy macaroni and cheese with smoky pulled pork, perfect for gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups pulled pork
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by boiling your pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the pulled pork: If using homemade pulled pork, ensure it’s cooked and seasoned well. If you’re using store-bought, just heat it gently.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux. Gradually add milk and cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add the cheese: Lower the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it melts and becomes a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked pasta and pulled pork to the cheese sauce, gently mixing until everything is evenly coated.
- Bake (optional): For a crispy topping, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy: Let it cool for a minute before serving, and watch as your loved ones dig in!
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute pulled pork with sautéed mushrooms or jackfruit.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: pulled pork, mac and cheese, comfort food, southern cooking, family recipe