BBQ Spaghetti

This BBQ spaghetti features tender pulled pork simmered in a blend of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and your favorite barbecue sauce. Whip up a batch and get ready for a taste of Memphis at your dinner table with one of our best leftover pulled pork recipes.

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Imagine a dish that perfectly marries the smoky allure of Memphis barbecue with the comfort of spaghetti. That’s what you get with BBQ Spaghetti, a mouthwatering creation that hails from Marrekus’ hometown and the barbecue capital of America, Memphis, Tennessee.

It’s also the perfect choice if you’re looking for leftover pulled pork recipes! With the meat already cooked, you skip the long smoking or roasting process. Leftover pulled pork is already infused with delicious smoky, savory flavors from the initial barbecue cooking. By incorporating it into this recipe, you’re not only preventing food waste but also maximizing the taste of your dish!

What is BBQ Spaghetti?

BBQ Spaghetti is a unique and flavorful dish that originates from Memphis, Tennessee. It’s essentially a fusion of smoky barbecue meat with spaghetti pasta. The dish typically consists of a meat, with options like pulled pork, pulled chicken, or brisket, mixed with a tomato-based sauce that’s been jazzed up with barbecue sauce and a blend of spices.

The pulled pork is served over cooked pasta noodles, and the dish is garnished with cheese and fresh herbs like parsley. Barbecue spaghetti offers a wonderful balance of rich, slow-cooked meat and the comforting appeal of pasta. It’s a true southern delight and a testament to the creativity and deliciousness of American regional cuisine.

BBQ Spaghetti Ingredients

• 2 pounds cooked pulled pork: Using leftover pulled pork significantly reduces your cooking time. Since the pork is already cooked, you can add it directly to the pan, allowing it to simmer and soak up the smoky flavors quickly.
• 16 ounces spaghetti pasta

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium white onion, finely diced
• 3 small bell peppers, finely diced (red, yellow, and/or green)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes 
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Spice Blend

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Optional

• fresh grated parmesan cheese, for garnish
• chopped parsley, for garnish

Leftover Pulled Pork

Our BBQ Spaghetti is the perfect recipe if you are looking for leftover pulled pork ideas. It not only prevents food waste but also results in a quick, flavorful, and versatile meal that celebrates the smoky goodness of barbecue without the need for extensive preparation. It’s a win-win for both your taste buds and your time.

Another leftover pulled pork recipe we love are these Pulled Pork Parfaits featuring smoked pulled pork, BBQ baked beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, pickles, and BBQ sauce layered in old-fashioned mason jars. Also known as BBQ Parfaits, these BBQ Pulled Pork Jars are perfect for your next backyard cookout!

Spaghetti BBQ Sauce

It includes diced tomato, tomato sauce, and barbecue sauce, enriched with a mix of bell peppers, onions, and garlic sautéed in a skillet. Marrekus uses a homemade spice blend he likes to call “Bluff City”. Once the pulled pork is incorporated, boil pasta noodles according to package instructions. To finish, don’t forget to garnish the dish with freshly grated cheese and chopped parsley.

Recipe Instructions

1. Start the Flavor Base: In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil and some butter until it’s sizzling.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add diced onions and bell peppers to the pan. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes or until they become tender and fragrant. Stir in some minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
3. Create the Sauce: Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, a bit of tomato paste, and BBQ sauce to the pan. Give it all a good stir so those flavors start mingling.
4. Spice It Up: Mix in chili powder, dried oregano, dry mustard, dried basil, along with a sugar, salt, and pepper. These spices will give your dish that signature smoky-sweet flavor.
5. Introduce the Pulled Pork: Now, reduce the heat to low, and gently add the pulled pork to the pan. Cover it up and let everything simmer together for 45 minutes, giving it an occasional stir.
6. Cook the Pasta: While the mixture is simmering, get a pot of water boiling and cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Once it’s done, give it a quick rinse and drain it.
7. Combine: With your pasta ready, add it to the saucepan with the spaghetti sauce. Gently toss everything together, making sure it coats the pasta evenly.
8. Finishing Touch: To make your barbecue spaghetti extra special, garnish it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh, vibrant parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

This recipe is highly adaptable to your preferences, allowing you to use whatever barbecue sauce you want or even substitute smoked pork with pre-cooked pulled pork from the store or rotisserie chicken.

Whether you’re new to Memphis BBQ or a long-time enthusiast, this dish is a must-have in your culinary repertoire, bringing the unique flavors of Memphis right to your table.

Commonly Asked Questions

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