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Summer is typically a busy time for families, making those moments you spend together all the more precious. The hustle and bustle of the season doesn't have to mean sacrificing family meals, however.
Take advantage of the warm weather and step outside the kitchen to focus on enjoying the outdoors with family around grilled favorites, such as burgers. You can even make meals on the grill your own by putting twists on a classic, such as Barbecue Macaroni and Cheese Burgers or Buffalo Macaroni and Cheese Burgers.
Another time-saving tip: Consider refrigerated side dish options like mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese from the grocery store, which are ready in just minutes and provide homemade taste. In addition to topping burgers, these sides can be used as an ingredient in appetizers like Crunchy Jalapeno Potato Poppers and Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Sliders.
Find more recipes and time-saving ideas to make the most of grilling season at the Bob Evans Grocery's website.
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Sliders
Recipe by Karly Campbell of Buns in My Oven
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12
- 1 pound pre-packaged, fully-cooked pulled pork
- 12 slider rolls
- 1 package of prepared macaroni and cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon barbecue dry rub
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Then in the microwave, warm pulled pork according to package instructions.
3. Slice rolls in half. Place bottom halves of slider rolls in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and top each with pulled pork.
4. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions and spoon evenly over pork on each sandwich roll. Then drizzle with barbecue sauce and lay slices of cheese on top of sandwiches. Top with top halves of slider rolls.
8. Stir dry rub into butter. Spoon evenly over tops of sandwiches and sprinkle with parsley.
9. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes.
Buffalo Macaroni and Cheese Burger
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 package of Macaroni and Cheese, prepared
- 8 hamburger buns
- 1 package crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 4 teaspoons Buffalo sauce
1. In a large mixing bowl, blend ground beef, salt and pepper; divide into eight patties.
2. On a grill over medium heat, cook burgers on each side until no longer pink in center and internal temperature reaches 160 F, about 15 minutes.
3. Place patties on buns and top each with 1/4 cup of prepared macaroni and cheese, 1/2 teaspoon Buffalo sauce and sprinkle with blue cheese, if desired.
Crunchy Jalapeno Potato Poppers
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 48
- 1 package instant mashed potatoes, prepared
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces diced jalapeno peppers, drained
- 8 ounces seasoned tortilla chips
- 2 large eggs
- 6-8 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- Sour cream (optional)
1. Stir together prepared mashed potatoes with cheeses and diced jalapenos.
2. Scoop tablespoonfuls of potato mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate 15-20 minutes.
3. In a food processor, pulse tortilla chips to fine crumbs or place chips in a large, zip-top bag and smash using a rolling pin. Pour crumbs into a shallow bowl.
4. Beat eggs and pour into a separate shallow bowl. Set aside.
5. In fryer or Dutch oven, heat oil to 350 F.
6. Remove mashed potato scoops from the refrigerator and roll into balls. Roll each mashed potato ball in flour, tapping off excess. Once potato balls are coated in flour, dip each into the egg, then into tortilla chip crumbs, making sure to coat evenly. Set on a clean baking sheet.
5. In hot oil, fry small batches of mashed potato poppers until golden brown, 30-40 seconds. Remove from fryer and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Repeat until all poppers are cooked. Serve hot with sour cream, if desired.
