If it’s not Bubba’s Pulled Pork Bake, then we don’t want it! This thing is hearty with a capital “H,” you guys, and it is Southern comfort at its finest. Tons of bouncy elbow pasta is mixed together with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, some perfectly tender pulled pork, and crunchy breadcrumbs to create an amazing texture adventure. Then, it’s melded together in the oven to become the gooey-est, most decadent dish you’ll ever taste. No barbeque joint could ever compete with Bubba’s Pulled Pork Bake! It’s just that good!
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) box large elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 cups sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8-ounce) package extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 (8-ounce) package Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 1/2 cups smoked pork, leftover or store-bought, shredded (without sauce)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- barbeque sauce, to taste, for serving
- 1/4 cup scallions, sliced, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and place it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Step 3 –In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions. Drain the water.
Step 4 –In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter.
Step 5 –Add the onions to the melted butter and cook, stirring often, until they are just tender, about 5 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the flour to the onions and cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are coated, about 1 minute.
Step 7 –Gradually whisk the milk, the Dijon mustard, the garlic powder, and the black pepper into the onion mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
Step 8 –Transfer the saucepan from the heat. Gradually stir the cheddar and the Colby-Jack, in 3/4-cup increments, into the sauce until it has melted and is smooth, about 2 minutes.
Step 9 –Add the pork and the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
Step 10 –Spoon the pork mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step 11 –In a small, microwave-safe bowl, add the remaining butter and microwave on high heat until it has melted, about 30 seconds.
Step 12 –Stir the panko into the melted butter until it is combined.
Step 13 –Evenly sprinkle the panko mixture over the pork mixture.
Step 14 –Bake the pulled pork bake until it is browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Step 15 –Transfer the baking dish from the oven and let the pulled pork bake stand, about 10 minutes.
Step 16 –Serve the pulled pork bake drizzled with the barbeque sauce and garnished with the scallions.
