Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the mac and cheese

01 - 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
02 - 4 tablespoons salted butter
03 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 teaspoon sugar
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
08 - 1⅓ cups cottage cheese
09 - ⅔ cup sour cream
10 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)

→ For the pulled pork topping

11 - 4 cups cooked pulled pork, shredded
12 - 1¼ cups barbecue sauce

→ Optional garnish

13 - French fried onions or fresh parsley for topping

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and place in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and sugar, stirring until smooth and well combined.
03 - Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until mixture has thickened. Reduce heat to low.
04 - Stir in cubed Velveeta cheese until completely melted. Then add cottage cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth and melted.
05 - Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni in the baking dish and stir gently to combine.
06 - In a medium bowl, mix the pulled pork with barbecue sauce. Spoon this mixture evenly over the mac and cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top.
07 - Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until heated through and cheese is bubbly. Garnish with french fried onions or parsley if desired.

# Notes:

01 - This recipe is perfect for using up leftover pulled pork from a previous meal.
02 - You can make half the recipe and bake it in a cast iron skillet for a beautiful presentation.
03 - The cottage cheese adds extra creaminess and protein to the dish.
04 - This casserole serves a crowd and is great for potlucks or family gatherings.