30-Minute Pulled Pork BBQ Mac And Cheese
Take those leftovers and whip up this cheesy baked macaroni loaded with tender pulled pork and smoky BBQ sauce. It’s a dinner that everyone will swoon over. It’s easy to throw together, and you’ll think you’re at the best BBQ restaurant in town.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings | Prep Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 20 minutes | 8 | Beginner + |
Ingredients
To make this recipe fall under 30 minutes, I used precooked noodles. I bought the prepackaged ones, but you can also cook some ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you are ready. I also used this leftover slow cooker BBQ pork from the night before, which made this dinner simple.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start by melting the butter in a large skillet. Next, add the minced garlic and onion and cook for a few minutes. Then, add the flour and whisk–it will be lumpy. Pour the milk into the pan and whisk until the lumps are gone. Sprinkle the salt and pepper on top and mix.
Next, add half of each type of cheese and stir until melted. Finally, add the cooked macaroni noodles and stir to coat.
Mix the leftover pork with the BBQ sauce, then top the mac and cheese and spread it around. Sprinkle the Panko breadcrumbs on top, along with the remainder of the cheese. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Cover with foil while baking and take it off during the last five minutes to help brown the cheese.
How To Store And Reheat
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. To reheat, add some to a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp cloth to keep it moist. Cook for two to three minutes or until the pork is hot.
Why Did My Baked Mac & Cheese Turn Out Dry?
You might have added too much pasta or too little sauce. It’s also possible you overbaked the dish. Low-fat ingredients are also going to contribute to a drier recipe. Use whole milk, real butter, and full-fat cheese for a creamier result.
Make-Ahead Tips
Assemble the dish and refrigerate it up to a day in advance. Bake as directed when you’re ready. You can also freeze it before baking—just thaw it overnight in the fridge and add 10–15 minutes to the baking time.
Variations To Try
- Use smoked Gouda cheese for extra BBQ depth.
- Add a layer of coleslaw or crispy onions on top of the meal.
- Swap pulled pork for leftover brisket or shredded chicken to give it a different flavor.
30-Minute Pulled Pork BBQ Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded pork
- 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite
- 28 ounces precooked elbow macaroni noodles *See notes below
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs Optional
Instructions
- Melt the butter on medium heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and onions and saute for about three to four minutes.
- Next, add the flour and whisk. It will be lumpy. Pour in the milk and continue whisking until all the lumps are gone and it is thick.
- Sprinkle in the salt and pepper and mix. Add half of all three cheeses and mix until melted.
- Finally, add the noodles and mix to coat. Pour the cheesy noodle mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss the pork with the BBQ sauce and then add it to the top of the macaroni. Sprinkle the Panko on top along with the remainder of the cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 5 more minutes.
Video
Notes
- I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory and Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce. If your leftovers have a lot of BBQ sauce, you don’t need to add much. But it will help keep the pork tender.
- You can use store-bought preshredded cheese, but shredding your own always makes it a little creamier.
- If you don’t have any pork leftovers, you can buy pre-cooked pork from the grocery store such as Jack Daniel’s precooked pulled pork.
- *If you cook your own noodles, you only need 16 ounces. The precooked comes in 7-ounce packs, so you need more.
- The Panko is optional. If you don’t have Panko, regular breadcrumbs will work as well.
We made this and it was sooooo good. My girls decided to turn the leftovers into PULLED PORK MAC AND CHEESE GRILLED CHEESE! So delicious. Thank you for the recipe, Julie.
That’s awesome to hear! And yum on the grilled cheese!!