The Super Bowl Guide

Even if you hate football (no judgment, obviously), I feel like pretty much everyone can get on board with a good Super Bowl party. After all, there’s something about the general lack of pretension on Game Day that just screams, “Let’s get weird!” and you have to respect that sentiment. Want to get sloppy drunk, eat your weight in nachos, and scream profanities at a television screen while wearing a hot sauce-stained jersey? Totally cool! As a wise man once said, “Get down girl, go ‘head get down.”

Since some of you may be hosting the festivities this Sunday, I’ve put together a handy little Game Day entertaining guide to help you out. Below, you’ll find my top tips for keeping your extravaganza as streamlined and stress-free as possible, followed by an exhaustive list of crowd-pleasing Super Bowl snacks. As per usual, feel free to email or tweet me any recipe/prep/party questions. After T-Day, Super Bowl Sunday Q+A is my favorite.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose! Roll tide! Virtual butt slap, etc., etc.

Tips For A Stress-Free Super Bowl Extravaganza:

1. If you’re entertaining a crowd, have at least one vegan and gluten-free option. (FYI, guacamole and hummus are vegan.) Everyone likes to have an allergy these days, and some people are still on their crazy New Year’s diets. Be respectful.

2. Serve plenty of room temperature items. Having a few snacks (guac and other cool dips, sandwiches, chips, party mix, etc.) that can sit out for a couple hours means minimal kitchen time during the game. (Hate the football? By all means, serve exclusively hot dishes! Respect.)

3. Keep the hot stuff on rotation. There’s nothing worse than setting out all of your delicious, piping hot food at the start of the game, and then being left with sad, ice cold snacks during the second half. Prep things like quesadillas and grilled cheeses in advance and cook up a few at a time. (You can easily cook a pre-assembled ‘dilla or sandwich during a commercial break.) Keep chilis, stews, and braised meats over super low heat and have guests serve themselves from the pot, or bring out smaller batches periodically. I also recommend dividing hot dips into multiple baking dishes and warming them throughout the game.

4. Don’t be afraid to outsource. Ain’t no shame in ordering in your favorite pizza, really good wings, or a boss dessert to round out your homemade menu.

5. Double down on brews. The Super Bowl is a beer drinking event, so there’s no need to stress about a full bar.

6. All disposable everything. If there were ever an occasion for paper plates/utensils and Reynolds bakeware, it’s the Super Bowl. You’re definitely not going to do a mountain of post-game dishes before bed, and coming home to them after work on Monday? Dear God, WHY?! Save yourself the trouble and go with disposable dishware. You can even color coordinate with your favorite team if you’re feeling festive. (Environmentalists may use the recycled paper dishes—they’re everywhere these days.)

Now, on to the Game Day eats!

FAN FAVORITES
Dude Diet Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Yogurt Ranch
Bacon and Smoked Cheddar Stuffed Cheeseburger Sliders with Jalapeño Relish
Loaded Sweet Potato Irish Nachos with Beer-Braised Short Ribs
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sliders
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with Sriracha Honey Mustard
Spicy Pulled Chicken Sliders with Bacon-Queso Guacamole
Baked Buffalo Wings
Chickpotle Mexican Pizza
Mexican Mac and Cheese
Chipotle Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Ahi Nachos with Pickled Red Onions and Wasabi Crema

DO DA DIP
Easy Edamame Dip
Super Smooth Chipotle Hummus
Chicken Jalapeño Popper Dip

CHILI AND OTHER POTS OF AWESOMENESS
White Bean Chicken Chili
Pork and Pinto Bean Chili
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Brown Rice Jambalaya with Shrimp and Chicken Sausage
20-Minute Chicken Posole
Chicken Tortilla Soup

EPIC SANDOS
Dude Diet Philly Cheesesteaks
Open-Face Buffalo Chicken Subs with Ranch Slaw
Barbecue Chicken Grilled Cheese
Dude Diet Turkey Reuben
The Ultimate Hawaiian Grilled Cheese
Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sweet and Spicy Pickles
BBQ Chicken Club with Provolone and Guacamole

TACOS AND ‘DILLAS
Spicy Chicken Quesadillas with Corn, Black Beans, and Caramelized Onions
Chipotle Pork Tenderloin and Butternut Squash Tacos
Crispy Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa and Avocado Salsa Verde
Shrimp Tacos with Corn Salsa and Chipotle-Avocado Crema
Chipotle Steak Quesadilla
Grilled Vegetable Quesadillas with Goat Cheese and Pesto
Brie Quesadillas with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon and Beer-Glazed Onions

ON THE SIDE
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Vegetable Fajita Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette
Skillet Cornbread
Quinoa Broccoli Slaw
Roasted Potato Salad with Pancetta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Arugula

SWEET STUFF
Dark Chocolate Chipotle Popcorn
Sriracha Caramel Corn
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake-Swirl Brownie Bites
Slutty Brownies (Thanks, Gaby.)
Popcorn Toffee Crack Bars (Courtesy of the geniuses at Bon Appétit.)