4 easy meal upgrades to try

Instant noodles

Ramen is cheap and easy to make on the stove or in the microwave. Use these tips to take your next Cup of Noodles to the next level:

• Throw in veggies: You can use fresh, frozen or leftover veggies. For your next grocery trip, plan ahead to make a stop at the salad bar to grab a few handfuls or pick up a package of mixed veggies. Bok choy, broccoli, onions, bean sprouts, green onions, squash, corn and carrots are all great options for ramen.
• Add a protein (or two): Mix and match proteins to give your ramen something extra. You can use fried or hard boiled eggs, chicken, tofu, beef, canned items or leftovers.
• Top it off: Using toppings can add flavor, texture and a pop of color. You can use anything, including sriracha, kimchi, sesame seeds, herbs, red pepper flakes or lime.

Boxed mac and cheese

Boxed mac and cheese is a great comfort food that is simple and easy to make. Use these tricks to upgrade it:

• Make it themed: If you’re looking to spice up your macaroni and cheese, consider adding a theme. For instance, consider making a chili mac, Mexican mac, curry mac or buffalo chicken mac. Use your theme to guide what ingredients you use. For instance, if you want to make a buffalo chicken mac, you can add buffalo sauce, chicken, blue cheese chunks or ranch dressing to your macaroni to create a unique meal.
• Add protein: You can also add flavor and protein to your meal by incorporating chicken, sausage, ham, bacon, tofu or beans. Don’t be afraid to experiment with canned or leftover options.
• Cheese on cheese: While boxed macaroni and cheese typically includes a cheese packet, you can add additional flavor and personalize it by using other cheese varieties. Shredded and cubed cheese (even string cheese) can be a great option to add extra cheesy goodness.

Coffee

Coffee at home can be just as good as a cafe. Here are a few tips to follow to make your at-home brew better: 

• Upgrade your mug: If you use the same coffee mug day in and day out, it may be time to switch it up. For instance, if you enjoy iced coffee, try serving it in a mason jar instead of a normal glass. If you prefer hot coffee, find a mug that makes you feel a little bit fancier.
• Experiment with milks: Different varieties of milk can change the flavor and smoothness of your coffee. Experiment with different types of milks, like almond milk, cashew milk, creamer, whole milk, rice milk or oat milk.
• Experiment with flavors: There are a number of ways to add flavor to coffee. Beans come in a variety of options like mocha, pumpkin spice or chai. You can also add a dash of cinnamon or try flavored syrups for a unique cafe flavor. 

Grilled cheese

Follow these tips to turn a classic grilled cheese into a masterpiece:

• Try new breads: An easy way to upgrade your grilled cheese is to try different types of bread. For instance, you may normally make grilled cheese using sourdough or wheat bread. However, you can make it extra special by choosing a baguette or roll instead.
• Explore cheese varieties: Using different types of cheese is a great way to change the flavor of any grilled cheese. Your choice in cheese can also influence other ingredients you want to add to your sandwich.
• Make it extra: Veggies and proteins go great with grilled cheese. To make a breakfast grilled cheese, add eggs, bacon and American cheese. To make a caprese-inspired sandwich, opt for mozzarella, basil leaves and tomato slices. 

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