Pulled Pork Fiesta Macaroni and Cheese

When I was asked to do a post for the Full Circle Organic brand from Associated Foods, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I was so pleased with the quality and freshness of these organic foods... they have no artificial sweeteners, food coloring , food flavoring or preservatives. No high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils. I slept a little easier making this indulgent macaroni and cheese knowing it was made from such wholesome ingredients. Find a locally-owned Full Circle distributor here; https://www.afstores.com/retail-members/find-a-retailer/

Ingredients:

2 Lbs Pork

1/4 cup Full Circle brown sugar

2- 16oz jars Full Circle salsa

1/2 cup fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)

1 jalapeño (seeded and diced)

9 ounces cooked Full Circle Rotini noodle

4 cups Cheddar cheese, plus 1/2 cup for toppings (shredded) 

2 jalapeño (seeded and sliced)

8 ounces cherry tomatos (halved)

2 1/2 cup milk

2 Tbs butter 

2 rounded Tbs flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cup crushed Full Circle blue organic tortilla chips

Directions:

1) In a crock pot, Mix pork (cut into big chunks) with brown sugar, salsa, cilantro and diced jalapeños. 

2) Cook on high for 5 hours, or until pork pulls apart easily with a fork. (This pork is also super delicious on tacos or in burritos or just straight out of the pot)

3) When the pork is finished cooking, pull it apart with two forks on a baking sheet, spooning a little of the left over sauce on top of the pulled pork, cover with tin foil and set aside for later.

4) Cook your pasta. Preheat your oven to 350.

5) To make your cheese sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Stir the flour and salt into the melted butter until it is a smooth paste. Add the milk and stir with a whisk until it is blended with the flour, continue stirring consistently as you heat it up...it will start to thicken. Once thickened, add the shredded cheese, stir until the cheese is melted.

6) In a 9x13 baking pan or casserole dish, mix the noodles, pork, cheese sauce, tomatoes and jalapeños. Top with the extra cheese. Bake for 15 min and then sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips, and continue baking for another 15 minutes or until the center is hot and bubbly. Cover with foil if the cheese starts to get too brown. Enjoy!