Southern-Inspired Pulled Pork with Creamy Macaroni and Tater Tot Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

Tender pulled pork infused with smoky spices served over creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with crispy tater tots for a delightful southern twist. This Southern-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 240 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups frozen tater tots

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. Roast for 3 hours until tender.
2. Step 2: While pork roasts, cook 8 oz elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain.
3. Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly. Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk and cook, stirring constantly until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Combine cheese sauce with cooked macaroni.
5. Step 5: Once pork is done, shred with two forks and mix with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.
6. Step 6: In a 9x13 baking dish, layer the cheesy macaroni, then top with pulled pork mixture. Arrange 2 cups frozen tater tots evenly on top.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until tater tots are golden and crispy. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.