Enjoy rich, cheesy mac and cheese mixed with the sweet undertones of pulled pork and barbeque. This pulled pork mac and cheese is an irresistible combination of flavors perfect for any occasion.
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Learning how to make homemade mac and cheese is a great way to add a delicious meal to your family’s dinner rotation. But for a recipe that is a bit more protein-heavy, try adding some pulled pork to the mix!
Imagine a creamy cheese sauce coating tender macaroni noodles, topped with chunks of smoky, flavorful pulled pork. It’s a match made in comfort food heaven!
This dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even a cozy night in. And the best part? It’s easy to make. With just a few simple steps, you can have a hearty and delicious pulled pork mac and cheese on the table in no time.
How to Make Mac and Cheese with Pulled Pork
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Boil elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted water to al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water for later use. Strain and rinse the pasta with cold water. Set it aside.
STEP TWO: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and continue cooking the flour mixture for approximately 2-3 minutes until it transforms into a light golden hue.
STEP THREE: Gradually pour in whole milk and heavy cream while maintaining a constant whisking motion. Season your sauce with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
STEP FOUR: Reduce the heat and add the shredded cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is velvety smooth. If needed, thin the sauce with splashes of reserved pasta water.
STEP FIVE: Stir the cooked macaroni into the creamy cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is generously coated.
STEP SIX: Combine some of the warmed pulled pork with mac and cheese, stirring it in.
STEP SEVEN: Serve in individual bowls, topping with the remaining pulled pork and a drizzle of your preferred barbecue sauce.
Tips for BBQ Pull Pork Mac and Cheese
- Whisk vigorously: During the flour and butter mixing process, make sure to whisk the flour and butter continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Milk mixing: As you pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, whisk steadily to ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Taste test: Give your cheese sauce a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, ensuring that it’s perfectly seasoned to your liking.
- Warm pulled pork: Before adding the pulled pork to the dish, warm it up. This not only enhances the overall dish but also ensures even heat distribution.
More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
- Instant Pot Mac And Cheese
- Mac And Cheese Without Milk
- Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese
- Mac And Cheese Bites In The Air Fryer
- Mac And Cheese With Cream Cheese
Variations to Pulled Pork Mac n Cheese
- Pasta swap: Experiment with different pasta shapes such as rotini, penne, or farfalle to give your pulled pork mac n cheese a unique twist.
- Bacon infusion: Incorporate crumbled bacon into the mac and cheese for a smoky, savory addition.
- Caramelized onions: Saute onions until they turn sweet and golden, then add them to the dish for an extra layer of flavor.
- Green onions: Add a touch of freshness by sprinkling chopped green onions over your BBQ pull pork mac and cheese.
- Smoky notes: Elevate your mac and cheese with pulled pork by adding a pinch of smoked paprika. It infuses a subtle, smoky complexity to the dish.
What Cheese Is Best For Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese?
Mac and cheese is seriously versatile when it comes to cheese choices. You’ve got options like sharp cheddar, Gruyère, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or the classic American.
Each one brings its own flavor and has a different level of meltability.
What Type of Pork Should I Use?
You have the freedom to choose the pulled pork that suits your taste. I love making pulled pork in the oven and in the Ninja Foodi.
Slow-cooked pork shoulder is a fantastic option, or you can opt for premade pulled pork available at your local grocery store for convenience.
What to Serve with Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese with pulled pork tastes amazing with a simple green salad, but I love to take it up a notch with Broccoli Crunch Salad. The cheesiness and sweet undertones of pork taste amazing with Air Fryer Cornbread.
For a simpler side, roasted veggies are always a go! Try these Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe, Roasted Carrots and Asparagus, or these Roasted Air Fryer Carrots.
More Easy Pork Recipes
- Ninja Foodi Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Pork Chops with Flour
- Ninja Foodi Pulled Pork
- Breaded Air Fryer Bone-in Pork Chops
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 pound leftover pulled pork warmed up
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Garnishes (Optional)
- green onions chopped
- crispy bacon bits
- smoked paprika
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound of elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted water until it becomes al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before straining the pasta to use later.
- Strain the pasta and then rinse it with cold water to stop further cooking, then set the pasta aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
- Cook the flour mixture for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until it becomes light golden in color.
- Slowly pour in 2 cups of whole milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream as you continue to whisk.
- Season your sauce with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Lower the heat and then add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Stir the homemade cheese sauce until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and add splashes of the pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
- Add the cooked macaroni noodles to the skillet with the creamy cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is generously coated.
- Add in a little bit of the warmed pulled pork, stir, and serve your homemade mac and cheese in individual bowls, topping each bowl with the remaining pulled pork and a drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce over the pulled pork.
Notes
- Optionally, you can garnish this BBQ pork mac 'n' cheese dish with chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for added flavor.
