I came up with two pretty cool ways to re-purpose leftover macaroni and cheese over the weekend that I just had to share with you guys.

First, let’s talk about spicy mac & cheese grilled cheese sandwiches.

We all know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich so I won’t get super detailed. There are a few extra steps with this sandwich but if you’re a fan of spicy food and delicious flavor, it’s worth it. Promise.

To make a spicy macaroni and cheese grilled cheese sandwich you’ll need:

• bread
• butter
• pepper jack cheese
• macaroni and cheese
• jarred jalapenos or your favorite hot pepper
• your favorite hot sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Butter two slices of bread.

2. Add a slice of pepper jack cheese to the unbuttered side of each slice of bread.

3. Add macaroni and cheese to one slice of bread and top with peppers and hot sauce.

4. Close up the sandwich and cook as you would a regular grilled cheese.

5. Get it into your mouth.

Can you tell I have a thing for spicy foods?

The second way I was able to re-purpose that leftover mac and cheese was in some yummy garlic and herb rolls. I used some frozen bread dough that I already had in my freezer and that made this little culinary project super easy.

These mac and cheese rolls have been going into my kids’ lunch boxes this week and so far, I haven’t gotten any complaints.

To make the macaroni and cheese rolls you’ll need:

• Homemade bread dough, store-bought bread dough, even pizza dough works
• macaroni and cheese
• minced garlic
• herbs – whatever you like
• butter
• shredded cheese

Directions

1. Once your dough has risen (follow directions on packaged dough) and is ready to work with, flour your counter and use a rolling-pin to roll it into as close to a rectangular shape as you can get it.

2. Brush on 2 tbsp of softened butter. I just use my fingers to spread it around.

3. Sprinkle on garlic, herbs, salt and pepper.

4. Top with macaroni and cheese. Use your fingers to break it apart so you get even coverage.

5. Sprinkle on shredded cheese. I used colby jack because it’s what I had but anything goes here.

6. Starting on the long end, carefully roll the dough into a log. It will be tricky at first but gets easier as you go, and make sure it’s sitting seam-side down.

7. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into one inch slices. They don’t need to be precise. Just remember that the dough needs to rise one more time and will puff up even more once baked.

8. Add the slices to a large baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in size. *

9. Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown on top or follow package directions for baking.

I hope you’ll try one of these ideas out the next time you have some leftover macaroni and cheese sitting around in your refrigerator. Be sure to come back and tell me what you think!

* My dough wouldn’t rise so I turned the oven on warm and then turned it back off, set my pan of rolls in there, and forgot about them for an hour or so. When I came back to check on them, they had risen beautifully. So if your dough won’t rise, try that trick. Just remember not to leave your oven on warm. Let it come up to temp, and then turn it off.