Three Little Piggies Mac Recipe
muenster, mozzarella, pulled pork, diced ham, bacon, spicy bbq sauce
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Ingredients
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Pasta & Cheese
Pork & Sauces
Topping & Finish
Method
Pasta & Cheese
- 1
Cook pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1.5 cups elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions). Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- 2
- 3
Make cheese sauce
Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk until smooth. Cook, whisking, until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 4–6 minutes. Reduce heat to low and whisk in 1 cup shredded muenster, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar (if using) until fully melted and smooth. Stir in 1 tsp yellow mustard, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. If sauce is too thick, whisk in up to the reserved 1/4 cup pasta water, 1 tbsp at a time, to reach desired creaminess.
- 4
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat evenly. Keep on the lowest heat while you prepare the pork mixture (do not boil).
Pork & Sauces
- 5
Warm and season meats
In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the pulled pork (1 cup), diced ham (1/2 cup), and about half the crumbled bacon (reserve remaining for topping). Add 1/2 cup spicy BBQ sauce and 1 tsp hot sauce if using. Heat, stirring, until warmed through and sauced, about 3–4 minutes. Taste and adjust: add a pinch more salt or 1 tsp more BBQ sauce if you want it saucier.
- 6
Topping & Finish
- 7
Prepare topping
Preheat the oven broiler or set oven to 400°F (204°C) if you prefer baking. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tbs grated Parmesan, and 1 tbs melted butter; mix until crumbs are moistened. Stir the remaining crumbled bacon into the topping mixture or reserve for garnish, depending on how prominent you want the bacon flavor.
- 8
Assemble and bake/broil
Transfer the mac and pork mixture into an oven-safe baking dish (about 8x8 or a shallow 1.5-quart dish). Sprinkle the panko-bacon-Parmesan mixture evenly over the top. Place under the broiler 3–5 inches from the heat for 2–4 minutes, watching carefully, until the topping is golden and crisp. Alternatively, bake at 400°F (204°C) for 12–15 minutes until bubbly and the topping is golden.
- 9