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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Homemade Mac and Cheese

    Homemade Mac and Cheese

    Published: Feb 20, 2019 · Modified: Jun 30, 2020 by Jessica Robinson · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Mac and Cheese in a white bowl, topped with BBQ pulled pork and pieces of green onion
    mac and cheese in a white bowl, topped with pulled pork
    homemade mac and cheese topped with BBQ Pulled pork in a white bowl

    Homemade Mac and Cheese is super creamy and topped with Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!

    The best homemade mac and cheese you've ever had, topped with Smithfield's Applewood Bacon pulled pork.

    I love absolutely love mac and cheese! Especially when it’s homemade, using fresh ingredients right in your own kitchen. And the kids will eat it without fussing! This mac and cheese recipe is so quick to prepare and gives you versatile and convenient meal solution. Be sure and check out my Cast Iron Chicken Fajitas for this weekend’s dinner!

    The Best Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food

    Tips for the Best Mac and Cheese:

    Step 1: Buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself. It will be so much fresher than any pre-shredded cheese. Use a hand grater or a small food processor to easily shred the cheese.

    Step 2: Start by making a roux. A roux is made from equal parts of butter or oil with flour. It helps to add depth, color, and flavor to your sauce. It also helps thicken the cheese sauce.

    The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!

    Step 3: Whisk in cold milk, not warm to prevent the flour from clumping.

    The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!

    Step 4: Once the milk and cream are slightly thickened add the shredded cheese and stir to combine.

    Step 5: Stir in the cooked elbow macaroni pasta until fully coated with melted cheese sauce. Top with pulled pork and garnish with crumbled bacon and green onion slices if desired.

    The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!

    Types of cheese to use for Homemade Mac and Cheese:

    For this mac and cheese recipe, I used a combination of shredded cheddar and Gruyere. But, if you have trouble finding Gruyere, you can certainly substitute Swiss or even Pepper Jack for a little kick of flavor. You can also add a little American cheese to make it even more creamy. I really like to use several different kinds of cheeses in homemade mac and cheese to give it great flavor.

    For homemade baked mac and cheese, simply pour this mac and cheese into a buttered baking dish, top with a little additional shredded cheese, some crushed butter crackers or breadcrumbs and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes.

    The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!
    The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food! #bestmacandcheese #recipes #recipe #kidfriendly #macandcheese #macaroni

    With our weeknight’s being so busy, I love the versatility of marinated fresh pork and the ability to prepare multiple ways (i.e. sauté, roast, slow cook, etc.), and you can even cut the pork into cubes, strips, or slice the meat to help it cook faster. I cooked my pork loin in the oven (directions are on the package and in the recipe below). It was SO quick. I just took the pork loin out of the package, placed into a baking dish with bacon side up. Poured a cup of apple cider around it and baked for an hour. Then, simply shredded it with two forks and added to my homemade mac and cheese. Dinner made simple!Doesn’t this Smithfield Applewood Bacon Loin Filet look amazing!? The flavors are melt in your mouth goodness! Be sure and try my Pulled Pork, Marinated Pork Chops, Beef Chili Recipe, and Beef Stew.

    The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!

    I love cooking different pork dishes. Try my Cast Iron Pork Chops, Grilled Pork Chops, Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin, and Ribs Recipe.

    The Best Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food! #bestmacandcheese #recipes #recipe #kidfriendly #macandcheese #macaroni

    Did you make one of my recipes? Please take a moment to leave a star rating. Also, if you are on Pinterest, please feel free to leave a comment there! Follow A Farmgirl’s Kitchen on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST and YouTube and subscribe my mailing list for ALL the latest recipes!

    5 from 6 votes
    The Best Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food! #bestmacandcheese #recipes #recipe #kidfriendly #macandcheese #macaroni
    Print Rate this Recipe

    Best Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    The Best Mac and Cheese Recipe is super creamy and topped with Applewood Bacon Pulled Pork. This dish uses two different kinds of cheeses in a homemade cheese sauce for the ultimate comfort food!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Southern
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 856kcal
    Author: Jessica Robinson

    Ingredients

    Pulled Pork

    • 1 2 pound Smithfield Applewood Bacon Loin Filet
    • 1 cup apple cider

    Mac and Cheese

    • 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 ½ cups whole milk
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
    • 10 ounces Gruyere cheese shredded
    • salt and black pepper to taste
    • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
    • crumbled bacon for garnish
    • green onion, sliced thin for garnish

    Instructions

    Pulled Pork

    • Prepare the Smithfield Applewood Bacon Loin Filet as the instructions read on the package. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
    • Place the pork loin with bacon side up in a baking dish. Cook for about 1 hour uncovered. Use a large spoon to baste the pork loin with the apple cider as it cooks.
    • Cook until the internal temperature reaches approximately 160 degrees at the thickest point of the pork loin. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
    • Use two forks to “pull” the pork loin right in the cooking pan. Mix the pulled pork with the juices that remain in the pan. Cover and set aside. (Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place back in the warm oven to keep warm while you prepare the mac and cheese)

    Mac and Cheese

    • Add water to a large pot. Season with salt and bring the pot of water to a boil over high heat.
    • Once the water comes to a boil, cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. About 9-10 minutes. Stir while it is cooking so it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
    • Remove the pasta from the heat, drain, and place back into the pot. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and stir. This keeps the pasta from sticking together.
    • Melt the butter in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
    • Whisk in the flour and continue to whisk as it cooks for about 2 minutes. Cook until it starts to turn slightly golden color.
    • Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Continue whisking until you see bubbles on the outside surface of the pan. Season with salt and black pepper. Add the prepared mustard. Continue to cook the milk and cream mixture for about 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
    • Add the shredded cheddar and Gruyere cheese and stir into the mixture with a wooden spoon. Stir until the cheese is melted, creamy, and smooth. Season again with salt and black pepper if needed.
    • Stir in the cooked elbow pasta until it is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
    • Top with Smithfield Applewood Bacon pulled pork. Garnish with crumbled bacon and green onion if desired. Enjoy immediately.

    Recipe Notes

    Recipe tips:
    Find fresh apple cider at a local apple orchard OR in the produce section at your local grocery store.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 856kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 36g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1990IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 949mg | Iron: 1.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AFarmgirlsKitchen or tag #afarmgirlskitchen!

    Disclosure: As an Affiliate Marketer, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a product affiliate link on A Farmgirl’s Kitchen and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you!  I own every cooking product I recommend and love how they perform.

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    Comments

    1. Lisa Hatfield says

      May 12, 2021 at 9:52 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe! I love the pulled pork topping… so creative and so good. Great recipe Jessica, thank you.

      Reply
      • Jessica Robinson says

        May 13, 2021 at 9:51 am

        So glad to hear you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Bindu Thomas says

      March 01, 2019 at 5:50 am

      This looks delicious and recipes are really great. I’ll definitely try this one.

      Reply
    3. Christopher Mitchell says

      February 24, 2019 at 6:49 pm

      That looks absolutely amazing. Now I’m seriously hungry!

      Reply
    4. Sarah Meh says

      February 23, 2019 at 11:56 am

      5 stars
      This food is looking so delicious. The recipe is very clear to follow.

      Reply
    5. Rosey says

      February 22, 2019 at 11:33 am

      It’s been awhile since I’ve made it myself. This recipe is a good reason to do so again. 🙂

      Reply
    6. Tessa says

      February 21, 2019 at 5:31 pm

      My boyfriend would be the happiest man on earth if I made this for him!! I have food allergies, unfortunately, but I think I could maybe still use the recipe with a few tweaks. I will have to give it a try!

      Reply
    7. Brittany Vantrease says

      February 21, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      I wish so much that my kids didn’t prefer the boxed mac and cheese so much. This looks delicious!

      Reply
    8. Gavin says

      February 21, 2019 at 11:07 am

      Looks GREAT!! I just did mac n cheese the other day. This looks so good

      Reply
    9. Success Recepies says

      February 21, 2019 at 9:31 am

      HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE is a great post. These dishes are so good but I didn’t know the recipe. Thank you very much for the help 🙂

      Reply
    10. Shalini says

      February 21, 2019 at 7:00 am

      5 stars
      That recipe looks ridiculously simple! I’m going to try that.
      It’s a 5-star for me 🙂

      Reply
    11. Holly Faye says

      February 20, 2019 at 10:01 pm

      Oh boy does this sound good! Thanks for explaining what a roux is, and why the milk needs to be cold. I love tips and tricks like that.

      Reply
    12. ABBY L HEWES says

      February 21, 2019 at 12:41 am

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to try mac and cheese with pork- it looks so rich and filling!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    13. Chad says

      February 20, 2019 at 10:17 pm

      The mac and cheese looks delicious yummm!!! I am cooking it tomorrow, can’t wait. Thanks a lot for the recipe.

      Reply
    14. Lisa Torres says

      February 20, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      Jessica, this mac and cheese looks like heaven! Love that you used pork loin… yum!

      Reply
      • Jessica Robinson says

        February 20, 2019 at 7:43 pm

        Lisa,
        Thank you so very much!! You are gonna LOVE the flavors in this delicious mac and cheese dish. Especially with that amazing Smithfield marinated pork!

        Reply
    15. Cristina Petrini says

      February 20, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      I never understood what was the mac and cheese to date xD, you know I’m Italian … but it seems curious … I’ll try it!

      Reply

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    Jessica Robinson from A Farmgirl's Kitchen

    Welcome!

    I am a home cook who creates wholesome family meals, homemade pies, baked goods and preserves foods using easy to find ingredients. All of my recipes use simple and readily available ingredients.

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