Quick and easy, this Loaded Applewood Smoked Bacon Pork Mac & Cheese is the perfect weeknight dinner idea.
When we first embarked on our journey from California to Virginia, our RV kitchen posed a challenge. But as a dedicated cook, I enjoyed finding innovative ways to create delicious home-cooked meals for my family. And one-pot dishes, like this Loaded Applewood Smoked Bacon Pork Mac & Cheese, were a real game-changer—minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor!
To create this mouthwatering dish, I relied on the versatility of Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filets. Even now, with a full-sized kitchen at my disposal, I can’t resist adding them to my weekly dinner menu. With their slow-marinated and perfectly seasoned pork, these filets are packed with protein and contain no artificial ingredients. You can easily find them at your local Food Lion, Kroger, Walmart, or Harris Teeter.
For this recipe, I chose the Smithfield Applewood Smoked Bacon Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet. Topped with real bacon, it adds irresistible flavor to the macaroni and cheese.
How to Make Applewood Smoked Bacon Pork Mac & Cheese
Servings: 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Smithfield Applewood Smoked Bacon Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet, diced
- 1 T. olive oil
- 16 oz. dry rotini pasta
- 4 c. water
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 T. butter
- 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 c. milk
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Begin by cutting the pork loin filet into tiny, bite-sized pieces.
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In your electric pressure cooker, select the “sauté” function. Heat olive oil and add half of the diced pork, allowing it to cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden brown sear. Stir and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the pork is tender, juicy, and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
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Set the cooked pork aside to rest while you prepare the pasta.
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Turn off the pressure cooker and add the rotini pasta, water, pepper, salt, and butter. Cook on the manual function, high pressure, for 5 minutes. Perform a quick release to release the pressure.
- Remove the lid and stir in the milk and cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese into a serving dish and sprinkle with half of the diced pork. Stir well to combine. Finally, top with the remaining pork.
Serve this delectable Loaded Applewood Smoked Bacon Pork Mac & Cheese with a crisp green salad or a side of vegetables for a memorable family-friendly dinner.
The Shake It Up Contest
Don’t miss your chance to participate in the Smithfield Fresh Pork “Shake It Up” Contest, which aims to reinvent mealtimes with creative recipes. Simply submit a photo of your original dish, along with a brief description of how you transform your go-to recipes with Smithfield Fresh Pork, before April 26th. 20 finalists will have the opportunity to win a $100 gift card, while the grand prize winner will be awarded $5,000! For more information and recipe inspiration, visit Smithfield.com.
Remember, the Virginia Pork Council is on a mission to educate Virginia residents about the pork industry and promote the production of high-quality pork products. Be sure to check out their website for additional recipe inspiration.
This article is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield and the Virginia Pork Council.
If you enjoyed this pork mac & cheese recipe, you might also like these Bacon-Wrapped Pork Bites:
