Porky Cheesy Bake (Printable Version)
Tender pork meets cheesy, creamy macaroni, baked till golden and bubbly. The ultimate comfort food upgrade for your table.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 cups cooked pulled pork
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2 cups elbow macaroni
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1 cup cream cheese
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper, adjust to taste
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2 cups milk
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1/4 cup butter
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3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, split (2 cups for the mixture, 1 cup for the topping)
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley as an optional garnish
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt, or adjust as needed
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1/4 cup all-purpose flour
# Steps:
01 -
Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 -
Fill a pot with water, bring it to a boil, and cook the macaroni until it's al dente. Drain the water and set pasta aside.
03 -
On medium heat, melt butter in a large pot. Stir in the flour and whisk constantly for around 1-2 minutes until it looks golden.
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Slowly add milk while whisking and let it gently simmer. Stir from time to time for 5-7 minutes until it thickens to a rich, creamy texture.
05 -
Turn the heat down and blend in cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is nice and smooth.
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Take the pot off the heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and blends into the sauce.
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Toss the macaroni and pulled pork into the pot and mix well so everything gets a good coating of the cheese sauce.
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Rub some grease onto a baking dish, pour in the mixture, and sprinkle the leftover cup of shredded cheddar on top.
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Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
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After removing it from the oven, let it cool briefly. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top if you'd like before serving warm.
# Notes:
01 -
Try using other pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or shells instead of macaroni.
02 -
Don’t have pulled pork? Use shredded chicken, cooked ground beef, or even plant-based options.
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Store leftovers for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
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If you want to make it vegan, use dairy-free cheese, non-dairy milk, vegan cream cheese, meat substitutes like jackfruit or something similar, and pasta without eggs.