Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork

Keto Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork is a very rich, delicious, and cozy low-carb version of a traditional dish. It is made with the combination of tender cauliflower with the rich and indulgent cheese sauce, which is made up of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, & parmesan along with butter & heavy cream to prepare the creamy and cheesy sauce. This meal has low carbs and a perfect blend of cheesy, meaty, and smoky flavors, and it is topped with flavorful pulled pork and optional Keto BBQ sauce. This keto Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork is perfect for everyone who wants a filling, hearty lunch, along with being on a keto or low-carb diet. We can easily personalize the mac and cheese with the favorite cheeses or degrees of heat.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

STATS:

• Calories: 500–600 kcal
• Prep time: Fifteen mins
• Cook time: Twenty-five mins
• Total time: Forty minutes
• Cuisine: American, Southern
• Course: Main Course
• Diet: Keto, Low-Carb
• Serving size: 1.5 cups
• Servings: 4

EQUIPMENT:

• Strainer
• Pot
• Skillet
• Spatula
• Baking dish

INGREDIENTS:

FOR MAC AND CHEESE:

• 1 medium head of cauliflower
• 1 tbsp. butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella
• ¼ cup parmesan
• Salt and pepper
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. paprika

FOR THE PULLED PORK:

• 2 cups cooked pulled pork
• ¼ cup sugar-free BBQ sauce

INGREDIENTS NOTES:

CAULIFLOWER:

• Cauliflower is a low-carb alternative to regular spaghetti. We can use fresh cauliflower for the greatest texture. We can also use the frozen cauliflower but we have to properly thaw and drain all the excess water content.

CHEESE:

• Cheese has a rich, creamy flavor & excellent melt ability because of the sharp cheddar, mozzarella, & parmesan. Parmesan lends a nutty richness, mozzarella offers stretch, and sharp cheddar adds sharpness. You can also use the other various keto-friendly cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Gouda.

HEAVY CREAM:

• We can use the heavy cream to provide richness and a smooth, velvety cheese sauce. We should not have to use the milk because it has more carbohydrates & it will not thicken the consistency of the sauce as well.

BUTTER:

• Butter gives the cheese sauce a smooth foundation and it also intensifies the flavor as well.

PORK:

• We can use the cooked pork for convenience and to save time also as the leftover roast or barbeque is ideal. We have to look for additional sugars if you’re using store-bought to make it keto-friendly.

KETO BBQ SAUCE:

• BBQ sauce without sugar is optional but suggested for a tangy, smoky kick. It should be sugar-free for a keto-friendly dish.

SEASONING:

• We can season this pulled pork with black pepper, paprika, salt, & garlic powder as it balances the richness of the pork and cheese and gives depth.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

INSTRUCTION

1. We can boil or steam the cauliflower florets for 5–7 minutes or till they get just soft.
2. When the cauliflower florets get tender then we can use a sieve to drain the excess water.
3. We can melt the butter in a pan on moderate flame.
4. Add the cheese & heavy cream and whisk slowly till the cheese is smooth & melted.
5. We can sprinkle black pepper and salt in the sauce and stir to combine it with the sauce.
6. Add cauliflower & stir till the cheese sauce coats all the cauliflower florets properly.
7. We can layer it on top of pork or fold in pulled pork.
8. Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and top the mixture with the additional cheese and broil for two to three minutes or till the cheese gets brown & bubbling.
9. We can garnish with additional BBQ sauce, jalapeños, or chives.

TIPS:

• We can properly drain the cauliflower florets and thoroughly dry the cauliflower to prevent watery sauce.
• You can also add a pinch of chipotle powder or smoked paprika for smoky depth in this mac and cheese.
• We can also utilize any leftover pulled pork from BBQ night or dinner preparation to make this mac and cheese and it saves time as well.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• We can transfer the leftover mac and cheese to the airtight container and save the dish for 3 days in the fridge.

FREEZER:

• We can wrap the individual portion of this mac and cheese in plastic wrap and store this dish in the freezer for 2 months.

FAQs:

Is this pork mac & cheese low in carbs?

• Yes this pork mac and cheese is low in carbs and it is also comprised of 5g net carbs and 30g protein is present in a single serving of this pork mac & cheese.

Can I make this pork mac & cheese with any other variety of cheese as well?

• Yes, we can also use the Gouda, cream cheese, monetary jack, or a combination of cheese to make this pork mac & cheese.

How to prepare the spicy pork mac & cheese?

• We can add the jalapenos, hot sauce, or pinch of cayenne pepper to make the spicy pork mac & cheese.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Net Carbs: 5g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 42g
Sodium: 680mg
Total Carbs: 8g
Potassium: 500mg
Calcium: 350mg
Calories: 530 kcal
Iron: 1.5mg
Vitamin A: 800 IU