Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Pulled Beef Mac and Cheese. This dish pairs tender, slow-cooked beef with creamy cheddar cheese and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, creating a hearty meal that’s sure to impress at any gathering or cozy night in. The rich flavors of BBQ sauce elevate this classic recipe, making it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy. Easy to prepare using a slow cooker or Instant Pot, this mac and cheese is not only satisfying but also perfect for leftovers the next day. Serve it with a drizzle of BBQ sauce or alongside fresh green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless beef shoulder (fat trimmed)
- 1 large yellow onion (sliced)
- 1 can (12 ounces) ginger beef broth
- 1–2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk (warmed)
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place sliced onion in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Add beef shoulder, pour in ginger beef broth, and cover with BBQ sauce. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high pressure for about 60 minutes; allow natural release.
- Cook elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add warmed milk while whisking until thickened. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted.
- Shred cooked beef and mix with additional BBQ sauce if desired. Combine macaroni with cheese sauce and fold in pulled beef mixture.
- Serve hot, drizzled with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (slow cooker) or 60 minutes (Instant Pot)
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added flavor, mix different cheeses such as Monterey Jack or Gouda. Allow the mac and cheese to sit for a few minutes after cooking to thicken before serving.