Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork & Mac and Cheese Sliders
These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese Sliders are the ultimate comfort food mashup. Sweet and smoky pulled pork, creamy homemade mac and cheese, and soft buttery slider buns come together for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for game day, parties, or family dinners.
This is one of those recipes that started as a “this might be good…” idea and turned into something my family now asks for all the time.
Because anything that involves sliders is already a win in my house.
Dean loves anything BBQ, especially when it’s piled onto bread. If there’s pulled pork involved, he’s already in. Sam is all about the mac and cheese, so the second I told him we were putting mac and cheese on top of the pork, he was completely sold. And Van? He’s still in that phase where anything cheesy and soft is his favorite, so this one is basically perfect for him.
And Daniel just looked at these and said, “Yeah, these are dangerous,” which honestly tells you everything you need to know 😂
The first time I made these, I had some pork and wanted to do something a little different than just regular sandwiches. I threw it in the slow cooker with Dr Pepper and BBQ sauce, because you already know how well those flavors work together, and let it cook all day.
By dinner, the pork was fall-apart tender, sweet, smoky, and so flavorful. Then I made a quick mac and cheese, piled everything onto slider buns, and that was it.
They were gone so fast.
What I love about this recipe is that it feels like fun food. It’s not just dinner, it’s the kind of thing everyone gets excited about. It’s messy, cheesy, a little over the top, and honestly just really good.
It’s also perfect when you’re feeding a group. You can set everything out and let people build their own sliders, which makes it so easy when you’ve got kids, different appetites, or even guests over.
And the best part? Most of the work is done by the slow cooker.
What Are Dr Pepper BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese Sliders?
These sliders are a layered comfort food sandwich made with slow cooker pulled pork, creamy mac and cheese, and soft slider buns.
The pork is cooked in a sweet and smoky Dr Pepper BBQ sauce until tender enough to shred, then piled onto buns and topped with homemade mac and cheese.
They combine the flavors of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and mac and cheese into one indulgent, crowd-pleasing bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy slow cooker recipe
- Perfect for feeding a crowd
- Sweet, smoky, and cheesy
- Great for game day or parties
- Kid-friendly and fun to eat
- Make-ahead friendly components
When To Serve This Recipe
These sliders are perfect for:
- Game day food
- Birthday parties
- Family dinners
- Potlucks
- Weekend comfort food
- Holiday gatherings
Ingredients
2 pounds pork tenderloins
Lean but still tender when slow cooked. You can also use pork shoulder for extra richness.
1 cup BBQ sauce
Adds that classic smoky, tangy flavor. Use your favorite brand.
1 cup Dr Pepper
Adds sweetness and helps tenderize the pork while creating a rich sauce.
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Boosts the sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize.
1 teaspoon onion powder
Adds depth and savory flavor.
16 ounces elbow macaroni
Classic pasta for creamy mac and cheese.
¼ cup butter
Forms the base of the cheese sauce.
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Helps thicken the sauce into a creamy consistency.
½ teaspoon salt
Balances the cheese sauce.
2 cups milk, warmed
Creates a smooth, creamy base.
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Gives the mac and cheese bold flavor.
8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Adds an extra melty layer on the sliders.
18 pretzel slider buns
Soft, slightly salty buns that hold up well to the filling.
How To Make Slow Cooker Dr Pepper BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese Sliders
- Place the pork tenderloins into the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, Dr Pepper, brown sugar, and onion powder.
- Pour the sauce over the pork.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until the pork is tender.
- About 20 minutes before serving, cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions and drain.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour and salt and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the warm milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir until coated.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it.
- Slice the slider buns in half.
- Add a layer of shredded pork to each bun.
- Top with a slice of cheddar cheese.
- Spoon mac and cheese over the top.
- Add the top bun and serve immediately.
Substitutions
Pork tenderloin → pork shoulder or pork butt
Dr Pepper → Coke or root beer
Cheddar cheese → Monterey Jack, Colby, or pepper jack
Slider buns → Hawaiian rolls or brioche buns
Variations
Spicy Version
Add hot sauce or jalapeños.
Loaded Sliders
Add crispy bacon or fried onions.
Pickle BBQ Sliders
Add sliced pickles for tang and crunch.
Buffalo Style
Mix buffalo sauce into the pork.
Tips & Tricks
Toast the buns to prevent sogginess.
Make mac and cheese right before serving for best texture.
Shred the pork while warm so it pulls apart easily.
Storage
Store pulled pork in the fridge up to 4 days.
Freeze pork for up to 3 months.
Store mac and cheese separately and reheat with a splash of milk.
Assemble sliders just before serving.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes, prep everything separately and assemble later.
Can I use store-bought mac and cheese?
Yes, for a shortcut.
Do these get soggy?
They can if assembled early, build right before serving.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, perfect for large groups.
Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- Coleslaw
- Potato chips
- Fries
- Pickles
- Baked beans
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork & Mac and Cheese Sliders
These sliders are everything you didn’t know you needed, sweet, smoky, cheesy, and totally irresistible. Slow-cooked pulled pork simmers in tangy Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, then gets piled high onto buttery slider buns and topped with a scoop of creamy mac and cheese. These are next-level sliders perfect for game day, parties, or anytime you're craving indulgent comfort food with a twist.
Notes
- Toast the slider buns lightly before assembling to help them hold up better to the saucy filling.
- Add a little crunch with sliced pickles or crispy onions for contrast.
- Make the mac and cheese just before serving so it’s extra creamy and melty.
If you’re serving a crowd, set everything out buffet-style and let people build their own sliders!
If you love these slow cooker pulled pork mac and cheese sliders, here are some more easy, flavor-packed comfort food recipes to try next! These are all simple, family-friendly meals made with pantry staples and bold flavors, perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or anytime you’re craving something hearty and satisfying.
- Classic Chicken Sliders — Tender, juicy chicken mixed with a creamy, seasoned sauce and topped with melty cheese, all baked into soft slider buns for a simple, comforting meal that comes together fast.
- Italian Sub Sliders — Loaded with layers of deli meats, melty provolone, and a zesty chopped topping, these baked sliders are bold, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd or an easy weeknight dinner.
- Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders — Soft Hawaiian rolls stuffed with hot dogs, rich chili, and plenty of gooey cheese, then baked until golden and melty for the ultimate fun, crowd-pleasing comfort food.
- Sloppy Joe Sliders — Saucy, savory beef piled onto soft buns and baked until warm and melty, making these an easy, family-friendly twist on a classic sandwich everyone loves.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders — Creamy chicken layered with crispy bacon, ranch flavor, and melty cheese, baked into warm sliders that are always a hit for dinner or gatherings.
- Crockpot Apple Butter BBQ Pulled Chicken — Slow cooked chicken in a rich, sweet and tangy apple butter BBQ sauce with deep, smoky flavor, perfect for piling onto buns for easy sliders or sandwiches.
These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese Sliders are one of those recipes that feels a little extra in the best way. They’re messy, cheesy, full of flavor, and the kind of meal everyone gets excited about.
And when something this fun disappears as fast as it does in my house, it’s definitely a recipe worth keeping on repeat.
