🌵🍲 Chili Champions & Backyard Cooks 🍲🌵🌞 Chuckwagon Recipe of the Day – Wednesday, July 22, 2026 🌞

🌞 Chuckwagon Recipe of the Day – Wednesday, July 22, 2026 🌞

🔥 Cowboy Campfire Sweet Heat BBQ Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese Bake 🔥

Good morning, folks! 🤠

Today's chuckwagon favorite is pure comfort food! Slow-smoked pulled pork, creamy homemade mac and cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar come together in one incredible casserole that's worthy of any backyard cookout.

Whether you're using leftover smoked pork or making it fresh, this recipe is guaranteed to have everyone coming back for seconds!

🐖🧀 Ingredients

For the Mac & Cheese

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 3 tablespoons flour

• 2½ cups whole milk

• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the BBQ Topping

• 3 cups smoked pulled pork

• 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)

🔥 Chuckwagon Cooking Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

2️⃣ In a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

3️⃣ Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Simmer until slightly thickened.

4️⃣ Stir in the cheddar, Gouda, garlic powder, and black pepper until the cheese is completely melted.

5️⃣ Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce.

6️⃣ In a separate bowl, toss the pulled pork with the BBQ sauce.

7️⃣ Spread the macaroni mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish or leave it in the cast iron skillet. Top evenly with the BBQ pulled pork.

8️⃣ Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.

9️⃣ Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

🔟 Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

🥄 Chuckwagon Serving Tip

Pair this hearty meal with:

• Fresh creamy coleslaw 🥗

• Cornbread with honey butter 🌽

• Dill pickles 🥒

• Baked beans 🫘

• Sweet tea or fresh lemonade 🍋

⭐ Pitmaster's Tip

For the best flavor, use pulled pork that's been smoked over hickory or applewood. Mixing a little of the pork's cooking juices into the BBQ sauce helps keep every bite moist and packed with smoky goodness.

💜 Chuckwagon Encouragement

Some of life's sweetest moments are found around a table filled with good food and grateful hearts. Invite someone over, share a meal, tell a few stories, and thank God for the blessings that make a house feel like home.

📖 Scripture for Today

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

— 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

🌞 Question of the Day

What's your favorite BBQ side dish?

🧀 Mac & Cheese🥗 Coleslaw🫘 Baked Beans🌽 Cornbread🥔 Potato Salad

👇 Tell us your favorite in the comments! Happy cooking, friends, and may your kitchen always be filled with delicious food, joyful laughter, and God's abundant blessings! 🤠🍲❤️🌵