Ribs Mac Cheese (Printable Version)

Smooth mac and cheese paired with smoky, tender barbecue ribs for a filling dish.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Seasoned Pork Ribs

01 - 2 teaspoons salt
02 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
03 - 1 rack pork ribs (900-1350 g)
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 480 ml barbecue sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

→ Macaroni

08 - 450 g elbow macaroni

→ Cheesy Sauce

09 - 720 ml whole milk
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 56 g)
11 - 1 teaspoon mustard powder
12 - 200 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
13 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30 g)
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste
15 - 100 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
16 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Crunchy Topping

17 - 30 g grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 120 ml panko breadcrumbs

# Detailed Preparation Steps:

01 - Get the oven going at 150°C so the ribs can cook low and slow.
02 - Rub both sides of the ribs with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder all over.
03 - Put ribs on a tray, cover them with foil, and bake for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat feels tender and pulls away from the bones.
04 - Take off the foil, slather ribs with barbecue sauce, then crank the oven to 190°C and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes so the sauce gets nice and sticky.
05 - While ribs cook, boil the elbow macaroni in salted water till it's just tender, about 7-8 minutes, then drain it and keep it ready.
06 - Melt butter over medium heat in a pan, mix in flour, and cook for a minute while stirring until you get a smooth paste.
07 - Pour milk in slowly, whisking, then let it simmer gently until it thickens a bit. Turn down the heat and add cheddar and mozzarella, stirring until melted and creamy.
08 - Mix in mustard powder, cayenne if you want a little heat, and salt and black pepper to taste.
09 - Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until every bit is coated.
10 - Put the cheesy pasta into a broiler-safe dish or cast-iron skillet and heat up the broiler.
11 - Sprinkle Parmesan mixed with panko crumbs evenly over the pasta.
12 - Put under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the topping is golden and crunchy.
13 - Take ribs out, let them rest for a bit, then cut into single rib pieces.
14 - Arrange the saucy ribs on or around the macaroni and cheese for a great looking plate.

# Helpful Tips:

01 - Feel free to add more or less BBQ sauce to match your taste. Add extra cayenne if you want it spicier. Make sure ribs are tender before mixing with the macaroni.

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