Barbecue Pulled Pork Mac Cheese (Printable Version)

A rich blend of smoky pulled pork, sharp cheeses, and tender macaroni with a crunchy topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pulled Pork

01 - 2 cups cooked pulled pork with barbecue sauce

→ Pasta

02 - 14 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

03 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
04 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
05 - 2 cups whole milk
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
09 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Topping

13 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tbsp melted butter
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 - Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute while stirring.
04 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream; bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low, add shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring until smooth.
06 - Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce thoroughly in a large bowl.
07 - Spread half of macaroni and cheese in the baking dish, top evenly with pulled pork, then cover with remaining macaroni and cheese.
08 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl; sprinkle mixture evenly over the top.
09 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden and bubbling at edges.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Combines classic mac and cheese with smoky barbecue pulled pork for bold flavor
  • Golden crispy topping adds extra texture and comfort
02 -
  • Contains dairy, pork, gluten, and may contain soy from barbecue sauce
  • Best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated for leftovers
03 -
  • For extra smokiness, substitute smoked cheddar in the cheese sauce
  • Pulled chicken or vegetarian barbecue jackfruit works well as alternative fillings
Go Back