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Creamy BBQ Pulled Pork Pasta

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This creamy pulled pork pasta is a great way to rework your leftover pulled pork. It is a hearty one pan dinner that is sure to be a hit with your family.

Pan filled with bbq pork spaghetti.

Turn leftover pulled pork into a completely different meal with this fun creamy BBQ pulled pork pasta.  It comes together quickly and is the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, tangy and meaty. 

It is a great way to do a leftover makeover and get a hearty and delicious dinner on the table!

Here I go again with another recipe for using up left over pulled pork. It is just handy to have a variety of things to do with what is left.

Pulled pork is one of those entrees that almost always produces leftovers. I mean if you are smoking  some pork butt you might as well do two right?

Or in my brother’s eyes, if you are doing two you might as well do four. He’ll bring one to share with the guys at work and have a family dinner.

He keeps some and the rest seems to find it’s way to my fridge. He’s never heard me complain about it.  Not even once!

After the wild success of the creamy pulled pork enchiladas, I thought it would be fun to do a different spin on the delicious bit of leftover pork. I always have pasta on hand, so spaghetti seemed like a perfect option.

A quick rummage through the pantry and fridge and a delicious dinner was born. My husband really liked it and my brother thought it was pretty cool.

Plate with bbq pulled pork spaghetti next to the pan it was cooked in and more creamy pork pasta.

I think he was tempted to come reclaim some of his leftovers so he could make some for himself. Maybe next time he will keep a little more so he can enjoy his own pulled pork pasta.

We’ve made this multiple times now and it’s a hit every time. It is a nice mix of creamy and BBQ. It is quick, easy and delicious too.

Plus it is fun to slurp up noodles and these have an unexpected flavor combination that you wouldn’t expect with your spaghetti, which makes them extra fun! Though after having them you may wonder why BBQ and pasta don’t end up together more often.

fork with twirled creamy bbq pulled pork spaghetti on it.

What to Cook Pulled Pork Pasta In

We originally made this in a large skillet like a nice big 12″ cast iron skillet.  Recently I’ve been making it in my 3 quart braiser and that makes cleanup a breeze. 

Those choices make it a little bit easier because they can go rom the stove to the oven without an issue. If you don’t have a big oven safe skillet, you could definitely bake it off in a 9×13″ pan or casserole dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shredded pork the same as pulled pork?

Yes. Pulled pork is usually made from a pork shoulder or Boston butt. It is slow cooked until it is tender, then it is usually hand shredded.

Though really any kind of shredded pork can be used in this recipe.

What cheese goes well with pulled pork?

This BBQ spaghetti can be topped with many different kinds of cheese. Sharp cheddar is a great flavorful option, but Colby jack, Monterey jack and pepper jack are all wonderful as well.

Plate of rotini pasta and pulled pork coated with creamy bbq sauce and melted cheese, ready to eat.

Tips For Using Leftover Pulled Pork

  • Store small amounts in plastic bags in the freezer to pull out for dinners later
  • Small amounts of pulled pork can be stretched making this pasta, pulled pork rice or other meals that can feed the family without having a ton of meat.
  • A little pulled pork can quickly and easily be turned into a taco, pork taquitos or a quesadilla as well.

You don’t have to have leftover pulled pork to make the recipe. You can throw a hunk of pork shoulder in a slow cooker or instant pot and cook it until it is easily shredded.

Variations on BBQ Pulled Pork Spaghetti

  • Use any shape of pasta you have on hand, they would all be fun and delicious. 
  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce, as it is a main flavoring to the dish.
  • Feel free to stir in veggies like corn, chopped bell peppers, even jalapenos would be delicious!
  • This would also be great with leftover grilled or BBQ chicken. Just shred or chop the chicken and toss it into the mix in place of the pulled pork.
Dinner plate piled high with bbq pulled pork pasta made from leftover pulled pork, bbq sauce, cheese, and whole wheat rotini pasta.

I love re-purposing leftovers. My husband thinks it is one of my super powers!

Besides enchiladas and spaghetti, I’ve also shared recipes for a fun cheesy hot pulled pork dip, nachos and an enchilada verde style soup.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg, you can see the full selection of pulled pork goodness to see just how obsessed we are around here.

What are your favorite ways to use leftover pulled pork?

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Pan filled with bbq pork spaghetti.

Creamy BBQ Pulled Pork Spaghetti

Carlee
Turn leftover pulled pork into a completely different meal with this fun creamy bbq pulled pork spaghetti. It comes together quickly and is the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, tangy and meaty. It is a great way to switch it up and get dinner on the table!
4.78 from 75 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinners
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 405 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 12 oz pasta cooked al dente
  • 3 cups pulled pork
  • cup your favorite barbecue sauce
  • 12 oz. can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup green onions chopped
  • cups shredded cheese cheddar, cojack etc.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease pan. I used a 12-inch cast iron skillet, but you could easily adapt and bake it in a 9×13 pan.
  • In skillet over low heat, stir together pulled pork, BBQ sauce, tomatoes and cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese is melty and incorporated.
    3 cups pulled pork, ⅔ cup your favorite barbecue sauce, 12 oz. can diced tomatoes, 4 oz cream cheese
  • Stir in cooked pasta and green onions until combined. Spread evenly in pan and then top with shredded cheese.
    12 oz pasta, ½ cup green onions, 1½ cups shredded cheese
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through.
  • Serve with desired toppings.

Notes

This recipe also works well with leftover BBQ chicken.
You can use more or less pulled pork based on what you have. 
Great topping ideas: chopped tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, BBQ sauce, jalapenos and more!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 21gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1100mgFiber: 3gSugar: 24g
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Recipe Rating




Michelle

Sunday 20th of August 2023

Made this tonight. Usually I do a pulled pork loaded nacho with the leftovers but I didn’t have tortilla chips. This came out great. I made it exactly as written. Thank you!

Carlee

Monday 21st of August 2023

We love pulled pork nachos too, but it is nice to do something different every once in a while. I am so glad you liked it!

MomOf7

Thursday 16th of February 2023

This was a big hit for our whole family!

Lisa Filla

Tuesday 19th of July 2022

Can you serve this cold at a picnic or something like that?

Carlee

Tuesday 19th of July 2022

I think it would be kind of thick to serve as a pasta salad, but it may work. I think I would add pulled pork to something intended to be a pasta salad. It would be delicious in bbq ranch pasta salad.

Suzanne

Friday 8th of October 2021

I wish you people would comment after you actually made it instead of “ this looks delicious can’t wait to make it “. That’s not helpful at all.

Mary Lou

Thursday 26th of May 2022

@Suzanne, Agree! I want reviews for recipes, not comments about the photo or plans to try it.

Carlee

Friday 8th of October 2021

Thank you!

Lori

Saturday 5th of June 2021

This recipe is delicious. I had some fresh linguine so used that instead of the spaghetti and added some mushrooms that were sauteed a bit first.

Carlee

Sunday 6th of June 2021

I am so glad you liked it!