You saw this one coming. After my visit to the Grilled Cheese Truck I felt compelled to try my hand at recreating that Cheesy Mac & Rib sandwich on the panini grill. The task was made a whole lot easier once I found out the recipe was published in Food Network magazine this month as part of a feature about National Grilled Cheese Month. All I had to do was decide on which macaroni and cheese and pulled pork recipes I would use, the rest was mostly a matter of careful assembly.
And speaking of careful assembly…how cute is this little make-your-own Grilled Cheese Truck?! Ever since I downloaded and pasted this thing together my three-year old has embraced “grilled cheese truck” as her new favorite pretend game. “Everybody wait in line! The Grilled Cheese Truck is almost here!” Fisher-Price, are you listening? Little People Food Truck. You’re welcome.
After piling on my “slice” of chilled mac and cheese, barbecue pulled pork, caramelized onions and sharp cheddar cheese I was staring at one tall sandwich! I have no idea how the Grilled Cheese Truck folks manage to flip theirs. Maybe they don’t fill it quite as high. I toyed with the idea with just making these in a skillet as directed in the recipe but once I realized how precarious flipping it would be, the panini grill seemed like the easier way to go.
As I previously mentioned, this sandwich is a fantastic – albeit extremely caloric – concept. My version tasted remarkably like the original. The bread was a little less crispy, but I just couldn’t bring myself to use the mayonnaise or nearly as much butter as the Truck does (an entire stick for 4 sandwiches?!). I also opted to use sourdough instead of buttermilk bread as I needed something a little sturdier to stand up to the panini grill. Other than that, I kept it pretty much the same. If you can’t make it to LA to track down the Truck, this recipe will get you pretty close.
Grilled Mac & Cheese with BBQ Pulled Pork
Adapted from the Grilled Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork recipe from The Grilled Cheese Truck on FoodNetwork.com
Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 20 min | Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 sandwiches
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cups prepared macaroni and cheese, warmed
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups prepared pulled pork
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 12 slices sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)
DIRECTIONS:
- Spread the macaroni and cheese in an 8-inch-square baking dish to about 3/4 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 45 minutes. Cut the macaroni and cheese into squares that are slightly smaller than the bread slices.
- Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until caramelized, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine the barbecue sauce and pulled pork in a saucepan over low heat and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
- Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and brush on one side of each bread slice. Flip over half of the bread slices; layer 1 slice of cheddar, 1 macaroni-and-cheese square and another slice of cheddar on each. Top each with one-quarter of the pulled pork and caramelized onions and another slice of cheddar. Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up.
- Working in batches, cook the sandwiches until the cheese melts and the bread is golden, about 5 minutes.
>Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Guide for the features to look for.
>Want more panini recipes? See my Recipe Index for a list of all recipes on Panini Happy.
>Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!
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Panini Happy is more than just a sandwich blog. Here, you'll find more than 200 of my original 
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Looks completeley crazy, decadent and delicious! I want to try it. I have never seen mac n’ cheese in a sandwich before.
melodie´s last blog post ..Coup de coeur- la boulangerie Aux Deux Frères à Gatineau Aylmer
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Could this grilled cheese be any more decadent & fabulous!!
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This sandwich is outrageous – I think my preschooler might like a grilled mac and cheese sandwich. Fisher-Price take note – that is one cute grilled cheese truck!
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I always love your posts!
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I knew I would see this one on your site:) Love it!
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Kathy Reply:
April 6th, 2011 at 7:29 am
It had to be done, lol.
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Crazy and delicious!
Christina´s last blog post ..Oreo Cookies
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So excited to find a blog dedicated to paninis. genius. and this looks incredible, thanks.
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my inner fatkid is crying tears of joy over this sandwich
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Kathy Reply:
April 6th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Lol, it made my inner fat kid pretty happy too.
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I just saw this on the cover of Food Network magazine when I was at the grocery store this morning and was going to look up the recipe when I got home. But, this email was waiting for me instead. Perfect timing!
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To make the bread crispier without using mayo, how about a light dusting of parmesan cheese?
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What a sandwich! I can’t think of anything more decadent…or more wonderful.
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Now that is one tasty looking grilled cheese sandwich!
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So much fun to put mac and cheese on a sandwich. I love the addition of pork here.
Shaina´s last blog post ..Eat Well- Spend Less- Menus and Meal Planning
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HOLY MOLY!! Deng that is a serious grilled cheese. I always miss this truck, or see if after I am already stuffed.
Lindsey@Lindselicious´s last blog post ..Momofuku- Made Skinny
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This sounds like the absolute best thing ever. I’m going to make it soon.
Devi McDonald´s last blog post ..Printable easter cupcake toppers
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That is one stellar panini and like really like the toy idea. I’d buy one!
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What a great combination… and a messy sandwich. yum!
Dan´s last blog post ..SkyFlake Baked Basa
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This sandwich may be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I. Want.
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Oh, wow! Now that’s a decadent grilled cheese!
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I liked Panini Happy on Facebook
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This is AMAZING..and kind of horrifying…but mostly amazing! Mac and cheese doesn’t last very long in our house, but I might hide some from the next batch so that I can make this.
Saw that you’re attending BlogHer Food Conference this year…it’s my first time. Have you been before?
Looking forward to a weekend with fellow foodies!
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Kathy Reply:
May 3rd, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Yes, this will be my 3rd BlogHer Food – get ready for a fun, inspiring weekend!
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