Julie Clark
Updated:
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
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Use leftover shredded pork in this barbecue pulled pork mac and cheese casserole. It’s creamy, cheesy and serves a crowd.
Two of my very favorite comfort foods: macaroni and cheese and pulled pork. Not only are they delicious, but I love how versatile each of the classic recipes are. You can literally pair just about anything with shredded pork and cheesy macaroni.
So why not put two of my loves together in one casserole? Meet Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese. Your new favorite casserole.
Table of Contents
Thanks to the Ohio Pork Council for sponsoring this post and allowing us to share this pork casserole recipe.
Why you’ll love this bbq pork mac & cheese recipe:
- from scratch casserole
- three cheeses
- uses leftover pulled pork
- favorite barbecue sauce
- ideal for potlucks and family gatherings
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Claire says, “This dish is comfort food heaven. My entire family raved about it. I will definitely be making it again!”
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Jeri says, “This turned out amazing! Tweaked it a little with Italian and pepper jack shredded cheese, no cottage cheese, and heavy whip instead of milk. Added some heat with a diced jalepeno and honey ChipotleBBQ…best thing I’ve cooked in a long time!”
How to Make Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Although this recipe is easy to make, it does take several pans. You’ll need to start the macaroni cooking, and while that is cooking, make your homemade cheese sauce.
Make the cheese sauce.
- In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add in the flour, salt and sugar, then stir until smooth.
- Gradually add in the milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Reduce the heat to low.
- Stir in the Velveeta cheese until melted. Stir in cottage cheese, sour cream and 1 cup cheddar cheese until melted.
A note on the cheese sauce.
Feel free to switch up the cheeses. If you don’t want to use Velveeta, use more cheddar cheese…or gouda, monterey jack, white cheddar or colby jack. Any should work so feel free to get creative.
Prepare the pork.
This recipe is perfect for leftover pulled pork. This can be smoked pork (hello amazing flavor!) or a slow cooker shredded pork.
You’ll need around 4 cups of shredded pork. If you use any more than 4 cups you may want to use a bigger pan to cook the casserole in because it will be very full.
To the shredded pork, add about 1 ¼ cups of your favorite barbecue sauce. We like homemade bbq sauce, but you can use absolutely anyone you like. Please note that the type of bbq sauce you use will result in the flavor of the casserole. Make sure you choose a bbq sauce you love.
Assemble and bake.
Drain the macaroni and place it in a greased 9×13 baking pan.
- Pour the cheese mixture over macaroni.
- Spoon the pulled pork evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake, covered, for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes or until heated through.
You can reduce the baking time by heating the barbecue pork mixture before spooning it on top. That way you won’t be adding cold pork to the macaroni and cheese, making it longer to bake.
What goes with pulled pork mac and cheese?
Looking to make this a complete meal? Here are a few of our favorite side dishes:
- sparkling fruit salad
- sourdough dinner rolls
- baked beans
- buttery green beans
- baked potatoes
- baked potato wedges
Recipe Variations:
- Need dinner faster? Use a pre-made, microwaveable macaroni and cheese for an extra quick recipe. Or try our instant pot mac and cheese! Just add to the casserole dish and spoon pork on the top as the recipe suggests.
- Don’t like bbq sauce? Skip it! Just mix the pork into the cheesy macaroni and bake.
- Make it spicy. Add diced jalapeño pepper to the pulled pork before baking. Even a sprinkling of black pepper will give your taste buds a little kick of heat.
- Looking for low carb? Use chopped cauliflower in place of the elbow macaroni.
- Need gluten free? Use gluten free pasta (or chickpea pasta) and gluten free all-purpose flour.
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Use leftover shredded pork in this barbecue pulled pork mac and cheese casserole. It's creamy, cheesy and serves a crowd.
Servings 15
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese (cubed)
- 1 1/3 cups cottage cheese
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- 4 cups pulled pork
- 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions (to al dente). Drain the macaroni and place it in a greased 9×13 baking pan (or one slightly larger).
- In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add in the flour, salt and sugar, then stir until smooth.
- Gradually add in the milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Reduce the heat to low.
- Stir in the Velveeta cheese until melted.
- Stir in cottage cheese, sour cream and 1 cup cheddar cheese until melted.
- Pour the cheese mixture over macaroni.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the pulled pork and barbecue sauce. Spoon the pulled pork evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake, covered, for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes or until heated through.
- Sprinkle the top with french fried onions or freshly snipped parsley if desired.
Video
Notes
- Make half a recipe and cook in a cast iron skillet for beautiful presentation.
Nutrition
Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1241mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different shape pasta?
Yes. Any pasta shape will work. I’ve oven used rotini or penne.
All I have is unsalted butter. Will that work?
Yes. Unsalted or salted butter will work.
Can I use mozzarella cheese?
If you love mozzarella, I recommend adding in maybe half mozzarella, half cheddar. Mozzarella doesn’t have a lot of flavor and the cheddar goes better with this casserole. But as always, you can use any cheese you’d like. It will just change the flavor slightly.
Favorite Pork Recipes
Pork is such a versatile meat! Here is just a sampling of the different ways you can use all cuts of pork.
I found this recipe on Pinterest about three years ago and made it for a family gathering and now I have to make it every year!! I love it so much!!
This is by far my favorite go-to Mac n’ Cheese recipe!! I’m planning on making it for a Friendsgiving this year, but a few people going are gluten intolerant…can this recipe be made gluten-free??
This has become an absolute FAVE for me and my husband! My favourite thing about this is there not really any of that cheese grease the next day and its not heavy on the stomach! A couple of modifications I’ve done to the recipe for my household • I add some smoked cheddar to my cheddar mix to give it a wonderful smokey flavour pairs well worj the honey smokey BBQ sauce I use from Walmart • I add this truffle Parm black garlic spice I found at Costco to the cheese sauce. The truffle flavour is everything! • Carmalized… Read more »
Wondering about using chunky salsa instead of the BBQ sauce……? Adding Rotel to mac & cheese is amazing, so it could only be wonderful in this recipe!
This turned out amazing! Tweaked it a little with Italian and pepper jack shredded cheese, no cottage cheese, and heavy whip instead of milk. Added some heat with a diced jalepeno and honey ChipotleBBQ…best thing I’ve cooked in a long time!
Can you store this in the fridge after making it? If so is the cooking time different than the recipe says?
So silly question for you ~ how much from a 2lb block of Velveeta cheese equals the 8oz needed? I’m horrible at measurements like this LOL!
I made this last night, it was SO GOOD!! My question is, does it freeze well? I have picky eaters who won’t eat the same dinner two nights in a row…
Have you tried this in the crockpot? I’m thinking about doing it this weekend!
What are we supposed to do with the leftover 2 tbsp of butter?
Can this be made ahead & frozen for later. Like in batch cooking.
What can you use for a substitute for cottage cheese?
This dish is comfort food heaven. My entire family raved about it. I will definitely be making it again!