I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like grilled cheese sandwiches; but what about a makeover on the old favorite? 

Try a Grilled Smoked Mozzarella & Pulled Pork. Not sure what to do with pulled pork leftovers; well this is the perfect recipe!

Cover two pieces of white bread with sliced, smoked mozzarella. Then top with a thin layer of the pork. Melt two teaspoons of bacon fast in pan over medium heat, lay in sandwich. When crisp, flip the sandwich while adding two more teaspoons of fat to the pan, and cook until bread is crisp and cheese is melted. When done, cut into triangles with a pizza cutter and dip into barbecue sauce to eat. Enjoy!

*From the Kitchen of Laura Arnold

My husband loves Hamburger Helper, so last night I made him a homemade version. This is a wonderful recipe that the whole family will ask for again and again!

Ingredients: 8 oz. of penne pasta, 1 lb. of ground beef, 6 bacon strips (diced), 1 can condensed tomato soup (undiluted), 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside.

In the same skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain discarding drippings. Drain pasta; add to the skillet. Stir in the soup, beef and bacon; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and cook until the cheese is melted.

(To save time, use precooked bacon.)

*Taste of Home – The Busy Family Cookbook

Need a fast and homemade side dish, try these herbed egg noodles. My husband was shocked how fast I made these; and he loved them so much he had thirds.

Ingredients:

8 oz. uncooked wide egg noodles, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 garlic clove, minced (I used 1 tsp of garlic powder), 1/4 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of dill weed, 1/4 tsp dried thyme

Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet, melt butter. Stir in the garlic, salt, dill and thyme. Drain noodles and add to butter mixture. Toss to coat.

The noodles pair very well with a grilled teriyaki chicken breast and green beans. Enjoy!

*Taste of Home – Busy Family Cookbook

Onion rings are one of those side dishes that we dread to make. It’s easier to order out or buy a frozen bag to bake in the oven.

This recipe promises that homemade onion rings are simple and easy; and the best compliment to any burger, wings or buffalo chicken sandwich.

Ingredients:

4 white onions, 1/2 gallon whole milk, 1/2 cup hot sauce, 4 cups of flour, salt/pepper, vegetable oil.

Prepare the onions. Slice off the 2 ends of each onion. Remove the paper and outermost layer of the onion whole. Slice into 1/2 inch rounds. Separate each ring. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the whole milk and hot sauce. Add the sliced onion rings to the bowl. Fill the large sauce pot with vegetable oil. Turn to high heat. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour. Season with salt and pepper. (Add enough salt and pepper that if you were to taste the flour you could actually taste the seasonings.)

To test to see if the oil is hot enough, sprinkle a little flour in the pot and if it starts cooking, the oil is hot enough.

Remove, a handful at a time, some onions from the milk/hot sauce mixture and toss in the flour. Remove any extra flour with your hands. Place the onions in the hot oil. Let cook 4-5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.

When the onions are ready, remove from the oil and let drain on paper towels.

Now, I am not a fan of onion rings, but I think this will be the perfect recipe for my husband’s birthday! Enjoy!

*Cookingwithcaitlin.com