I hadn’t planned on a pork loin series. But then I made it 3 different nights in the last week. 3 different ways. 3 different flavors. 3 different yummy meals. Why not share all 3?
The other night I didn’t have much time to think about prepping dinner before I had to run out the door for something. I literally don’t even remember what I was doing, probably going shopping or something. That is how busy we have been. I can’t remember what I did yesterday even. I do remember the kiddo had an eye appointment after school, so I didn’t want to have to mess around too much in the kitchen afterwards. We were out of BBQ sauce, so I ran to the store in between picking him up from school and the appointment.
Before I left in the morning to run errands, I looked in the meat freezer and found a smallish pork loin and started with that. Next, looked in the veggie freezer and found pre-made Mac & Cheese. I know, Captain Obvious, Macaroni and Cheese is not a vegetable. But it was in the veggie freezer and caught my eye. Heck yeah! I love BBQ meat over Mac & Cheese. It’s become a thing now, apparently. Lots of places serve it. I have loved it for years. It’s delicious and easy.
I thawed both in a sink of hot water. Put the pork in the crockpot, cheesy past in the fridge and headed out the door.
After the eye appointment (yes, he needs glasses if you are wondering and looks very handsome in them, BTW) I toasted the breadcrumbs, tossed them over the M&C, threw that in the oven, shredded the pork, microwaved a bag of frozen veggies (actual veggies found in the veggie freezer) and then put it all together to serve.
This is totally customizable. You choose the size of pork loin, your favorite BBQ sauce and even what Mac & Cheese you want. You could make it from scratch. That will be a different blog post.
This is a great weeknight dinner for busy families!
Pork Loin part 2: Easy Peasy BBQ Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
Pork loin (shredded, cooked in crockpot 4 hours on high or 8 on low)
BBQ Sauce 1/2 bottle (or so)
Mac & Cheese (cooked)
Breadcrumbs (I used 1/3 cup)
2 tablespoons butter
Directions
- Prepare your pork in crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on the size, or 3-4 on high. Meat needs to be tender enough to shred.
- Preheat oven to 375
- Prepare your Mac & Cheese, then transfer to baking dish.
- Once those are both fully cooked, melt cheese in small saucepan, add breadcrumbs and toast.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs over Mac & Cheese. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly browned and cheese begins to bubble around the edges.
- Meanwhile, mix BBQ sauce into shredded pork.
- To serve, scoop Mac & Cheese onto a plate, top with shredded BBQ pork.
