Super Bowl Sunday is upon us! Whether you are a football fanatic or just there for the commercials, this American tradition is a great opportunity for friends to gather and share a meal and some fellowship. Here are few general food rules, and some great recipes guaranteed to leave you with no left-overs to take home. Enjoy the party!
General Party Food Considerations:
Be food allergy smart.
If you know someone in your group has a specific allergy, try to avoid bringing dishes that contain that allergen if possible. This is especially important if the person in question is a child, who might not be as able to resist tastes of something that looks tasty. If you aren’t sure, it can be helpful to label your dish with ingredients so that people can make their own informed decisions.
Be flu smart.
Flu season is definitely here, and bugs like influenza and Norovirus can spread like wildfire at large group gatherings. Wash your hands before preparing or handling food. Consider serving methods that don’t involve multiple people digging their hands into a large communal bowl — like using toothpicks to stab sausages, tongs to pick up fruit or veggies, or individual cups to scoop out popcorn. And as always, stay home if you are sick.
Be culturally smart.
Super Bowl parties traditionally involve a lot of delicious meat, dairy, adult beverages, and sweets. However, if you as the host know that one of your attendees has specific dietary needs related to culture, religion, or general beliefs, make that person feel welcome and included by ensuring there are foods and beverages available that everyone can enjoy.
My Favorite Super Bowl Food Recipes
Beer Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup Onion minced
- 2 Tablespoons parsley flakes
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese
- 12 fluid ounces beer
- 42 ounces chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 15 ounces Cheddar Cheese extra sharp
- Popcorn (optional, for topping)
1. Add 4 cups chicken broth to a large Dutch oven or heavy bottom saucepan. Bring to an easy boil. Add the carrots, celery, onion, parsley, and butter. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
2. Whisk the corn starch into the remaining cold chicken broth. Add slowly while stirring gently to the simmering soup. Stir gently as the mixture comes to a very slow boil and begins to thicken. Once it seems like it is as thick as it will get, reduce the heat so that it stops boiling.
3. Add the Velveeta Cheese and the cheddar cheese. Blend slowly until the cheese melts.
4. Add the beer slowly and mix gently. Heat through.
5. Serve right away or place soup in a crock pot to keep warm until halftime. Serve topped with popcorn.
“Little Smokies”
There are as many ways to serve “little smokies” as there are food enthusiasts. I’m a simple person, so my go-to is just a package of miniature smoked sausages topped with a bottle of barbecue sauce. Dump in a crock pot and let them warm. Yum!
My Easy Cheese Ball
I found this recipe about 15 years ago, and I have made it about a hundred times. I have made a few changes to the original recipe to make it my own. It always goes over well and pairs easily with crackers or veggies. Pro tip: if you have nut allergies in your group, just leave out the nuts. It’s just as tasty!
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces softened cream cheese
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
- 1 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds
Beat cream cheese with cheddar cheese until soft. Add all the rest of the ingredients (except the nuts) and mix well. Shape into a ball and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Roll the ball in the chopped nuts. Serve with crackers or vegetables.
No matter which team wins — enjoy the party!
If you are looking for more food ideas, check out more recipes from Iowa City moms.
