by Sherry Law

Created on: January 29, 2011   Last Updated: January 30, 2011

Nothing screams ‘Super Bowl Party’ like a steaming pot of hot chili.  There are, however, many other things you can serve that will satisfy your guests, as well.  The things you need to think about when planning the menu for your Super Bowl party are pretty simple - the foods you choose should be tasty, something that can be prepared ahead of time (or at least take very little time in the kitchen during the game) and they need to be easy to eat when sitting in front of the television.  Also, depending on your guests, they should be easy to clean up if spilled on the carpet or furniture.

Almost a tradition at many Super Bowl parties, chili can be the basis of pretty much any menu you plan on serving.  Served with hot cornbread or a variety of crackers, some sliced jalapenos, chopped onions and shredded cheese, chili is one of those perfect foods for Super Bowl Sunday.  If you are making your cornbread from scratch, think about adding some peppers or possibly some grated cheese to give it a little added flavor punch.  A platter of tamales to go with the chili is always a nice surprise for your guests.

Platters of cold cuts, cheeses, veggies and some deviled eggs can also be served with a minimum of time away from the game.  Prepared the day before and left in the refrigerator until game time, they can be set on the coffee table.  With some napkins and paper plates, the platters heaped with goodies allow guests to serve themselves.  A variety of of meats, cheeses, veggies, olives, pickles, crackers and small bowls of dips will ensure that everyone finds something they enjoy.

Pigs-in-the-blankets (cocktail sausages wrapped in dough and then baked until the dough is thoroughly cooked) or sausage balls (a combination of Bisquik, sausage and grated cheese, mixed together and then baked until the sausage is done) are two more popular easy-to-eat foods that work well with the beer that is part of many Super Bowl parties.

A quick and tasty queso can be made by combining a two pound package of Velveeta cheese, a pound of hamburger and a can of either Rotel tomatoes (mild or hot both work) or a jar of pace picante sauce.  Brown the hamburger, drain well and put into a crock from a crock-pot.  Cut the Velveeta into small cubes and add to the hamburger.  Pour in the Rotel or Pace and heat in the microwave until the cheese begins to melt.  Stir.  Keep heating, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is completely melted.  Carefully transfer the crock to the crock-pot and leave on low.  Though you will need to stir once in awhile if it’s not eaten right away, this is a super simple Super Bowl dish.  Serve with chips, some guacamole and extra hot sauce.

For those hosts who are more ambitious, a brisket can be started early in the morning and will be ready (if you don’t forget and let the fire go out) by mid to late afternoon.  Potato salad, some beans (canned will do fine if you’re not into making them yourself)  and hot garlic bread are natural partners to a great brisket and all can be prepared the day before.  When the brisket is almost ready to pull from the smoker, throw the garlic bread in the oven for a few minutes, heat up the beans and, voila - a feast fit for any football fan.

Last minute ideas can include a variety of bowls of popcorn or pizzas ordered from the local pizza restaurant, but why not take a little time before the game and give your guests something a bit more special than carry-out pizza?  With a bit of preparation, your Super Bowl party menu can be something to be proud of.

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