Jump to Recipe
Pulled Pork Rigatoni is the best way to use leftover pulled pork. Pasta tossed with crushed tomatoes, pulled pork, onions, mushrooms and garlic.
Pulled Pork Week continues today with this Pulled Pork Rigatoni. I should apologize because I’ve been holding on to this recipe for some time now. I’m not sure why I haven’t shared it before because it is awesome. How could it not be?
First of all, there is rigatoni with those lovely holes that are perfect for hiding some sauce. Speaking of sauce the sauce is the BEST part. I’m telling you it is rustic comfort food to the max with crushed tomatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and the star, pulled pork.
Take a minute and wipe the drool. I’ll wait.
Ready? K good. Let’s move on shall we?
What do you do with leftover pulled pork?
Whenever I make a batch ofslow cooker pulled porkthere is leftovers. I love it because there is SO many things you can do with it. For the longest time my leftovers would turn into tacos, sandwiches, taquitos, tostadas and tater tot casserole.
Never pasta.
It’s weird really. Because I am always trying to think of a way to turn a non-pasta dish into a pasta dish.
Because carbs are awesome.
There I said it. And I’m not the least bit ashamed.
I heart pasta. A lot. I always have and I always will. Spending some time in Italy didn’t help matters.
For this recipe, I use whole grain pasta. It’s a little chewier and heartier than regular pasta. I think it makes pasta dishes more rustic. And it works especially well in dishes like this.
Pulled Pork Ragu.
That is basically what this sauce is and it is fantastic. I could probably eat the sauce all on it’s own. The sauce is chunky with pulled pork, onions, garlic and mushrooms. It is rustic, simple and honestly one of the best things that you can do with your leftovers.
Looking for morepasta recipes? Check out some of my favorites!
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Pasta Pomodoro
Pasta Amatriciana
Shrimp and Scallop Pasta
Aglio e Olio
Pulled Pork Rigatoni
Pulled Pork Rigatoni is the best way to use leftover pulled pork. Pasta tossed with crushed tomatoes, pulled pork, onions, mushrooms and garlic.
4.8 from 17 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried whole grain rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 yellow onion sliced
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- chopped parsley
- shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 cups pulled pork
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic, mushrooms and onions just until onions and mushrooms have softened and started to brown, about 5 minutes. Pour red wine over the top to deglaze the pan. Be sure to scrape up any of the brown bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan.
Pour in crushed tomatoes. Mix in cumin, salt and pepper. Add in pulled pork. Mix well. Continue cooking for 5 - 10 more minutes or until sauce is warmed through. Stir in cooked rigatoni. Mix well. Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and parmesan cheese. Serve.
Notes
Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: comfort food, dinner, entree, Food, pasta, pulled pork, Recipe, rigatoni, tomato sauce
Leave a Comment
Reply
Joyce Billetts
March 7, 2024 at 7:27 am
What kind of red wine -cabernet or Merlot or doesn’t it matter?
Reply
See AlsoArtichoke Chicken Recipe | Life's AmbrosiaTRADITIONAL EGGS IN PURGATORY RECIPE - All you need to know!Beef Stew with Red Wine - Best Beef Stew Recipe - Life's AmbrosiaSouthern Fried Pork Chops and Gravy Recipe - Life's AmbrosiaDeseree
March 7, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Either would work for this recipe!
Reply
Christine
June 5, 2023 at 8:22 am
I work in a BBQ restaurant and have a ton of frozen, left-over ribs.
I was looking for a comment like Mary’s.
This dish does sound delicious and I’m a sauce-y kind of person!
Reply
Mary
August 3, 2022 at 3:03 pm
I had leftover pork ribs so I ended up adding kalamata olives, some hot sauce and some Boursin garlic and herb cheese and that did the trick so it didn’t taste like bbq ribs. It was delicious!!!
Reply
Steve
July 29, 2022 at 8:31 am
Making this tomorrow for 30…just one question…are you using the garlic cloves whole? I know this is going to be incredible! Thanks!
Reply
Deseree
July 29, 2022 at 9:46 am
Great question, Steve and I will have to update the instructions! Sorry they weren’t clear! Rough chop the garlic :) Hope you enjoy!!
Reply
Dee
June 13, 2022 at 9:19 am
Surprised – simply and tasty. I added a little hot sauce for heat.
Reply
Deseree
June 13, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Glad you enjoyed it, Dee! Loving the addition of hot sauce.
Reply
donna
May 17, 2022 at 1:23 pm
This is an awesome way to use leftover pulled pork. Delicous
Reply
Deseree
May 17, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Thank you, Donna! Glad you enjoyed it!
Reply
Darlene mahaven
October 3, 2021 at 11:15 am
There are only two of us I would love to make this but it’s way to much. Can this be broken down for two?
Reply
Shirley
August 14, 2021 at 3:32 am
I made pulled pork for the first time and was looking for some recipes for the leftover; I found this one.
Looks interesting but needs a few tweaks.
I added capers, hot chilli peppers, more onions and garlic along with my home made pasta sauce which is rich and thick, to give it some oomph.
Great place to start so thanks for that!
Reply
Tricia Sweeting
April 12, 2021 at 9:44 am
My family loved this. We added a few sun dried tomatoes too. Delicious! Thank you for this great recipe xxx
Reply
Deseree
April 15, 2021 at 8:36 am
You’re welcome! So happy to hear you loved it!
Reply
Brandy
November 19, 2020 at 4:04 pm
I had some leftover pulled pork for carnitas’ that I had frozen. I didn’t even need to add the seasonings since the pork was already seasoned. I used chicken broth instead of wine, but it turned out so good. I’ll be ear marking this recipe for future use.
Reply
Deseree
November 20, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Yay! I am so happy you enjoyed it!
Reply
Kathy
November 7, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I made this, added a bit more chopped tomatoes, thin sliced celery, 1/3 cup extra Cabernet wine, 1/2 chicken stock. I had some awesome leftover pork gravy so I added 3/4 of a cup—- totally awesome flavor. Had to use dried parsley, added 2 extra cloves of chopped garlic. Hubby was pleased with it!
Reply
Deseree
November 11, 2020 at 8:58 pm
So happy to hear that!!
Reply
Taryn
July 10, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Made this for dinner tonight with gluten free noodles and it was so good. Only had diced tomatoes so I blended them a bit and it worked out great. My husband loved it too!
Reply
Deseree
July 12, 2020 at 1:08 pm
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!!
Reply
Rochelle Bogush
June 15, 2020 at 7:57 am
Can you substitute the tomatoes? My husband hates tomatoes, but I still try to sneak vegetables into his meals as best I can. ;)
Reply
lauri hamilton
March 31, 2020 at 5:01 am
I am searching for a way to use pulled pork for a soup kitchen in our town. Will need to feed 60…..trying to be creative with what we have but still serve something that tastes good. Any ideas on how to adapt this to feed a bunch would be welcomed.
Reply
Molly
January 13, 2020 at 11:46 am
Can leave out the red wine?
Reply
Deseree
January 13, 2020 at 12:13 pm
You can! I would substitute beef or vegetable broth though so you get the liquid and a bit more flavor.
Reply
Liz Morgan
October 9, 2019 at 4:31 pm
Loved these leftover pulled pork ideas! Made this one and we all loved it! (How did my mom cook before the internet!?)
Thank you
Reply
BlueRaven
July 17, 2019 at 5:29 pm
It tastes amazing. I had a little leftover pulled pork left, and had to turn it into enough for my father and husbands lunches for a week, and it worked amazing! I used Farfalle instead, and I used Adobo Seasoning, mixed with some Cumin and dried Jalapeño that I had. I also didnt have red wine, so I used chicken broth with a few teaspoons of red wine vinagar. It was the perfect blend of seasonings. I really want to try this with beef, chicken, and change around what type of broths I use.
Reply
Lesan Lucas
July 17, 2019 at 5:08 pm
This was very good!! I was a bit skeptical about the cumin, (I love cumin, but wasn’t really in the mood for it) but it was subtle and added that great aroma to the meal. Thanks for such a terrific recipe for leftover pulled pork!
Reply
Kris
April 7, 2019 at 11:51 am
Do you think leftover Italian beef would work in this recipe instead of the pork??
Reply
Deseree
April 7, 2019 at 12:07 pm
I actually think that would be really good!
Reply
Thea M. Pex
December 20, 2018 at 6:53 pm
I made this tonight for dinner, I had a lot of leftover pulled pork, did not have enough mushrooms. Next time! Family loved it!
Reply
Deseree
December 21, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Wonderful to hear, Thea! Thank you!
Reply
Cindy Passons
February 12, 2018 at 12:26 pm
What would be a good substitution for mushrooms/fungi?
Reply
Deseree
February 12, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Cindy- You can simply omit them if you like!
Reply
CIndy Poehls
December 28, 2017 at 7:29 pm
it’s great receipe
Reply
Deseree
February 8, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Thank you!
Reply
Barbara | Creative Culinary
July 23, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Looks fantastic!
Reply
cquek
July 20, 2013 at 6:22 am
Drooling!
Reply
goboroot
July 19, 2013 at 4:16 pm
I was debating whether to make simple marinara pasta or lasagna, but since I saw your pulled pork, my heat is set for your recipe for this weekend!!! Sounds delicious:)
Reply
Nami | Just One Cookbook
July 18, 2013 at 5:59 am
Ohhhh rigatoni must be so good with pulled pork! I love cooking pasta on weekdays, and having leftover pulled pork comes in very handy!
Reply
StephenC
July 18, 2013 at 5:01 am
Come the fall I’ll try this out. It’s not summer food in Washington, DC’s heat and humidity. Looks/sounds marvelous.
Reply
Jessie {Life As A Strawberry}
July 17, 2013 at 11:56 pm
I’m drooling. This sounds AMAZING.
Reply
sheila
July 17, 2013 at 7:48 pm
I love love love this idea, I would never have thought of putting pulled pork with pasta. I am so trying this recipe!
Reply
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
July 17, 2013 at 10:09 am
I have never put my pulled pork in pasta, that’s a great idea. I know the family would love that!