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Lighter BBQ Pulled Pork Mac 'N Cheese with Caramelized Onions {Whole Wheat} - Food Faith Fitness
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Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

Loaded with BBQ pulled pork and caramelized onions, you’d never guess that this is a healthy mac and cheese! Quick, easy and weeknight friendly!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2
Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

The Caramelized Onions:

  • 1 cup small onion thinly sliced (about 1.5 )
  • 1/2 tbsp butter

The Mac 'n' Cheese:

  • 4 oz whole wheat macaroni noodles
  • 1/4 cup milk I used 1%
  • 1/4 cup Fat-free half and half
  • 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp hickory liquid smoke
  • 4 oz reduced-fat cheddar cheese grated and divided (about 1 packed cup)
  • 1/4 cup +1 tbsp low-sugar BBQ sauce I used KRAFT light BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup cilantro diced
  • 3/4 cup leftover pulled pork

Instructions

  • Preheat your broiler to HIGH heat. Spray a 1-quart casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside
  • Melt the 1/2 tbsp of butter in a medium-sized pan over medium heat.
  • Stir in the thinly sliced onions, making sure that the butter evenly coats all the slices.
  • Turn the heat down to LOW-MED and stir the onions every 5 minutes or so until soft and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Set a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the macaroni noodles as your package directs, until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta and return to the burner, on LOW heat.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, fat-free half 'n' half, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and liquid smoke.
  • Pour the milk mixture over top of the noodles, and give it a good stir.
  • Add 3/4 cup of the cheese in small handfuls, letting it melt between each addition.
  • Once the cheese has melted, stir in the caramelized onions, BBQ sauce (make sure you taste as you go, to get your desired level of smokiness), chopped cilantro, and the pulled pork*. Stir well until everything is creamy and well combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese. **
  • Broil for 2-4 minutes, depending on how crunchy and browned you like your cheese.
  • Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Serve hot and devour!

Notes

* You can totally omit the pork if you want to make this vegetarian, or serve as a side dish.
**You could leave the additional cheese off the top to make it even lighter...but don't. You could also serve this straight out of the pan without the broiler if you want it super creamy!