With the Super Bowl coming up, it’s time for a party in New England, and chances are you’ll either be hosting or attending one this Sunday. For some, creating a menu for a party can feel like a daunting task, but there are some easy ways to offer great food to your guests while taking part in the fun with no stress. I find that one-bowl dishes are often crowd pleasers and can be simple to make, serve, and clean up. Here are five (soon to be six 😉) super bowls that will really punch up your Super Bowl party!
Peppy Pimento Cheese Dip
Every Super Bowl party needs a good dip and lots of things TO BE dipped. Sub low-fat cheese in this pimento cheese dip for the perfect, savory complement to crudité and whole gain crackers that will keep your team crunching throughout the game.
Classic Chili with Champion Toppings
Chili is a classic cold weather favorite and can be a fun addition to your spread. Whether you make your own, follow a recipe on the back of the chili spice packet, or pick up a ready-made or canned chili, the fun part is what you put on top! Let your party-goers elevate their individual chili bowls from mundane to super with champion-class toppings like shredded low-fat cheese (we recommend cheddar), green onions, low-fat sour cream, and more.
Power Snack mix
A big bowl of handy snacks will go a long way with a hungry crowd. Mix a few of your favorites: crunchy rice square cereal, pretzels, popcorn, and nuts. To take it up a notch, add dried cranberries or cherries for a sweet and tart addition.
Fast and Easy Barbecue Meatballs
Party goers like fast popping snacks that satisfy. You don’t have to slave over a hot stove to make a great tasting party favorite like barbecue meatballs. Keep it simple. Toss a bag of frozen meatballs (or turkey meatballs for a leaner option) into a pot or slow cooker with two bottles of your favorite barbecue sauce. Simmer on low or set your slow cooker to medium and let everything cook low and slow until piping hot and cooked through. Place the meatballs into a serving bowl with toothpicks at the ready (blue and red would be ideal). Game on!
Patriot Berry Trifle
What’s a party without dessert? A throwback to the 70s and early 80s, trifles have made a comeback. This layered, spoonable delight is super versatile and can be made many ways.
For this Patriot Berry Trifle, you will need Angel food cake, strawberries and blueberries and whipped cream (see the simple recipe below). Your guests can scoop a serving of deliciousness into individual bowls to enjoy as the game is wrapping up.
Ingredients:
1 store-bought Angel food cake, cubed
1 pound strawberries, washed, stemmed, and sliced
2 pints blueberries, washed
For whipped cream:
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
Using a large glass bowl or a trifle bowl if you have one, start with a layer of cubed up Angel food cake. Add a layer of whipped cream and top with a layer of berries. Repeat with alternating layers until you reach the top of the bowl, but leave room for one final layer of whipped cream and berries. Add a tangy twist by using Greek yogurt whipped cream!