How to Throw a Great Super Bowl Party

By: Nina Hoffman, RecipeLion.com

Sure, everyone is always looking for cheap Super Bowl tickets, but how many of us actually manage to acquire cheap Super Bowl tickets? Very few. The next best thing to getting cheap Super Bowl tickets is attending a Super Bowl party — for free! Learn the secrets of how to throw a great Super Bowl party.

Secret number one: The most important thing about a party — any party —is the food, and Super Bowl party food is no exception. Super Bowl party recipes usually revolve around one thing, leading us to...

Secret number two: That one thing is easy appetizer recipes. Sure, you can go all-out and get very complicated in your cooking for the big day, but easy appetizer recipes are...well...just easier, and nobody has to know you didn't slave for hours and hours making them. In fact, easy appetizer recipes are fun to make, and other than who won the Super Bowl, are what your guests will remember.

Yes, you can put up some cute Super Bowl party decorations for fun, such as little football cutouts and streamers and such. Themed napkins and paper plates are always fun too, and help to keep the atmosphere festive. We recommend wide-bottomed cups, not wide-topped, to reduce the risk of spillage. Of course, when either team scores, someone is likely to jump up and shout, so you might have spills anyway. That being the case, keep plenty of paper towels or — better yet, an eco-friendly alternative — microfiber towels on hand.

Now, for some of those easy appetizer recipes:

These barbecue mini meatballs are perfect for your Super Bowl party. Serve these on toothpicks or mini skewers with your favorite dipping sauce. Your guests are sure to love these tasty treats, and you can get them going ahead of time and just leave them in the slow cooker to keep warm while you watch the game.

Serves: 11

Ingredients

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 egg
¹/2 cup soft bread crumbs
¹/4 cup chopped onions
¹/4 cup milk
1 clove garlic, minced
¹/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 tablespoons oil
8 ounces bottle mild taco sauce or 12 ounce jar chili sauce or ketchup
1 jar grape jam (about 8 oz)
1 ¹/2 tablespoons Dijon or prepared mustard

Instructions

In large bowl, combine beef, egg, bread crumbs, onion, milk, garlic and chili powder; mix well. Shape into about 45 1-inch balls.
In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until oil sizzles, about 1 minute. Add meatballs. Brown on all sides.
In small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Add to meatballs. Stir gently to coat meatballs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, until meatballs are done through and through.
You can put them in a slow cooker and cook on low until ready to serve.

Other favorite easy appetizer recipes include:

Chicken Wings in Coke — Coat your wings! This recipe is surprisingly good, and it keeps the wings so moist, you've just got to try it!

Pam's Hot Chili Dip — This simple recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish and is perfect with tortilla chips.

Veggie Pizza Appetizer - Everyone loves a pizza.

Remember, as with any party, just make sure your guests are comfortable, the TV works, and you have plenty of munchies. If you follow that advice, your Super Bowl party with easy appetizers will be a big hit!