Craving something smoky, saucy, and a little bit quirky? Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti is the ultimate Southern comfort food mash-up, blending the best of Italian pasta and Memphis-style pulled pork barbecue. Every twirl is pure happiness that’ll have you craving seconds before you finish your first plate!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Barbecue + Pasta Magic: It’s a mouthwatering collision between tangy barbecue and slurpy spaghetti, with the best of both worlds in every bite.
- Incredibly Hearty: Pulled pork, sauteed veggies, and a rich tomato-BBQ sauce make this dish stick-to-your-ribs satisfying.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether it’s a backyard get-together or a weeknight family dinner, this recipe never fails to bring the smiles (and requests for seconds!).
- Super Adaptable: Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti is easy to tweak for preferences or pantry surprises—swap proteins, jazz up the sauce, or toss in extra veggies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This ingredient list is simple, bold, and downright essential for that signature flavor. Each component plays a starring role—adding color, soul, and Memphis barbecue spirit to every forkful.
- Vegetable oil: The starter for your flavor foundation, ensuring your veggies sauté up soft and golden.
- Red onion: Lends a sweet, mellow bite and soaks up all that BBQ richness.
- Green bell pepper: Brings color and a little crunch, balancing out saucy goodness.
- Garlic cloves: Three’s not a crowd! Fresh garlic packs major aromatic punch.
- Diced tomatoes (14 oz.): Adds a touch of tang and chunks of juicy tomato bliss.
- Tomato sauce (28 oz.): Smooth and savory, this forms the comforting base of your BBQ-spiked sauce.
- Garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder: An Italian-inspired blend to build herbaceous, flavor-soaked sauce.
- Barbecue sauce (1 cup + extra): The smoky, sweet signature—don’t be shy, pour generously!
- Pulled pork (16 oz.): Smoky, tender strands make this dish sing—save a little for a lovely garnish.
- Spaghetti (12 oz., cooked): The classic noodle, perfectly built for swirling up sauce and pork in every bite.
Variations
Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti is a true choose-your-own-adventure dish—you can riff, swap, or jazz things up based on what’s in your fridge or what your tastebuds crave. Here are a few favorite twists:
- Chicken Barbecue Spaghetti: Sub in shredded rotisserie chicken for pulled pork for a lighter, equally irresistible flavor.
- Veggie Lover’s BBQ Spaghetti: Bulk things up with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or even roasted sweet potatoes for a meat-free spin.
- Spicy Kick: Add a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo or a pinch of cayenne for a smoky, spicy jolt.
- Cheesy Finish: Sprinkle the top with shredded cheddar or mozzarella just before serving and broil for five minutes to create a bubbly, gooey crust.
How to Make Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti
Step 1: Saute Your Veggies
Start by heating the vegetable oil in your largest, heaviest pot over medium-high heat. Throw in the diced red onion and green bell pepper, then let them get soft and start to brown, stirring often. Once the onions are translucent and the peppers have a hint of char, add your garlic and let it sizzle until fragrant (about 1 minute). Your kitchen will smell completely irresistible!
Step 2: Build the Barbecue Sauce
Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, then stir in the garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and onion powder. Add a generous cup of barbecue sauce—this is where the Memphis magic happens! Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, then dial down the heat and let it cook, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you like.
Step 3: Toss in the Pork and Spaghetti
Add the cooked spaghetti directly to your pot, followed by the pulled pork (hold back a little pork for garnish, if you want it to look extra snazzy). Use a big pair of tongs to toss everything together until every glorious strand is coated and the pork is evenly sprinkled through the sauce.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Spoon generous portions into bowls or onto plates, then finish each with a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce and a crown of reserved pulled pork. Snap a quick pic—if you can resist digging in first!
Pro Tips for Making Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti
- The BBQ Sauce Matters: Use your absolute favorite barbecue sauce—whether smoky, spicy, or sweet—for a flavor base you’ll crave bite after bite.
- Get That Pulled Pork Just Right: If you’re making pulled pork from scratch, go for a slow-cooked, smoky style. For a shortcut, store-bought or leftover barbecue pork works beautifully.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook spaghetti just until al dente so it won’t get mushy when tossed with the sauce for that perfect, toothsome bite.
- Let It Rest: After combining, let the whole pot sit off-heat for a few minutes—this gives the spaghetti time to really soak up all those bold Memphis barbecue flavors.
How to Serve Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti
Garnishes
Give each serving a flourish with a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce, a nest of reserved pulled pork, and maybe a sprinkle of sliced green onions or a dusting of smoked paprika. It’s all about adding pops of smoky color and a final layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
This dish loves classic Southern sides—serve with creamy coleslaw, buttery cornbread, or a crisp green salad. Even simple breadsticks or garlic bread make the experience extra cozy and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti in mini mason jars or ramekins with tiny forks for a fun, approachable appetizer. For a family-style feast, a big platter with plenty of pork right in the center brings everyone together in true Memphis spirit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let leftovers cool to room temp, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors get deeper and richer as they mingle—sometimes, day-two Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti is even better!
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze this dish! Place cooled spaghetti in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual—the sauce keeps things moist and delicious.
Reheating
Gently reheat in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce to loosen things up. You can also zap it in the microwave, stirring halfway through, until heated through and piping hot.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of pasta for Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti?
Absolutely! While traditional spaghetti is the classic base, feel free to swap in linguine, penne, or even gluten-free noodles. The real star is that barbecue-inspired sauce and juicy pulled pork, so pick a pasta shape that holds sauce well.
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What’s the best barbecue sauce to use?
Choose your favorite barbecue sauce—Memphis-style sauces are usually balanced between sweet and tangy, but any variety you love will work. If you want to go all-in on authenticity, look for a Memphis barbecue sauce with vinegar and a hint of heat.
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Can I make Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti vegetarian?
Definitely! Skip the pulled pork and load up your sauce with more veggies like mushrooms, roasted eggplant, or jackfruit for a plant-based barbecue vibe—just make sure your barbecue sauce is also vegetarian-friendly.
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How far ahead can I prep Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti?
You can prepare the sauce up to two days in advance, refrigerate it, then simply toss in the pasta and pork when you’re ready to serve. Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors meld!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti, let this be your invitation to embrace something playful and wildly delicious! It’s comfort food with a twist—memorable, hearty, and just plain fun to eat. Gather your people and dig in; I have a feeling this one will become a legendary favorite in your home, too.
Print
Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Experience a unique twist on traditional spaghetti with this Memphis Barbecue Spaghetti recipe. Rich, tangy barbecue sauce pairs perfectly with tender pulled pork, creating a flavorful pasta dish that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz. diced tomatoes
- 28 oz. tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for garnish
Additional Ingredients:
- 16 oz. pulled pork, reserve some for garnish
- 12 oz. spaghetti, cooked
Instructions
- Saute Vegetables: In a large pot, saute the onion, peppers, and garlic in vegetable oil over medium-high heat until soft and slightly browned.
- Prepare Sauce: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic powder, oregano, basil, onion powder, and 1 cup of barbecue sauce. Simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 30 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Toss the cooked spaghetti and pulled pork in the sauce using tongs until well-coated.
- Serve: Garnish with extra barbecue sauce and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
