Why have pulled pork with a side of mac and cheese when you can just mix those things together for Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese that will blow your mind. The pork couldn’t be easier to make — it cooks for several hours in a slow cooker (with an unusual ingredient), and the mac and cheese is whipped up quickly on the stovetop. Then everything is baked together in the oven to make sure the flavors really meld. Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese is a creamy, salty, sweet dish that’s utterly addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 (4-pound) pork shoulder, boneless and fat trimmed
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 (12-ounce) can ginger beer, can substitute ginger ale
- 2 cups barbecue sauce, divided
For the macaroni and cheese:
- 1 (16-ounce) box elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk, warmed
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, plus more, to taste, for topping
Directions
Step 1 –Add the pork shoulder and the yellow onions into a slow cooker.
Step 2 –Pour in the ginger beer.
Step 3 –Cover and cook on low for about 5 hours.
Step 4 –After 5 hours, transfer the pork onto a large plate and shred it with two forks. Throw away any large chunks of fat.
Step 5 –Pour off some of the residual juices in the slow cooker.
Step 6 –Place the shredded pork back in the slow cooker.
Step 7 –Stir in 1 cup of the barbecue sauce and cover to keep warm.
Step 8 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Step 9 –Boil a large pot of salted water over high heat.
Step 10 –Add the elbow macaroni and cook the noodles until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 11 –Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 12 –Whisk in the flour, cooking until the raw flour smell disappears, about 1 minute.
Step 13 –Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
Step 14 –Reduce the heat to low and continue whisking until the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
Step 15 –Add 4 cups of the shredded cheese to the sauce in the skillet and stir until melted.
Step 16 –Remove the skillet from the heat and add the cooked macaroni, while stirring.
Step 17 –Place the macaroni and cheese in the prepared casserole dish.
Step 18 –Spread the pulled pork on top, adding a little of the extra cheese on top.
Step 19 –Bake until the cheese is melty and the macaroni is warm, about 15 minutes.
Step 20 –Serve drizzled with the remaining barbecue sauce
