The Big Game is here! A fan of football or not, I think we can agree the best part about football parties are the commercials and the food! (I’ve long since given up on the halftime show). My family and friends have shared their favorite appetizers and we’ve narrowed it down to three recipes deemed “undefeated” for serving at your football party. Y’all know I won’t eat crawfish so don’t expect any seafood recipes here … sorry! Party foul in Southern Louisiana, I know!
Sausage Balls
My husband’s family saves this recipe just for Christmas. But surely something this awesome can be enjoyed twice a year, right? These sausage balls are so amazing, you’ll need to make a freezer full as your guests will certainly ask for more!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Owens hot sausage (room temperature)
- 2 1/2 cups sharp cheese, grated (best if grated freshly from the block)
- 3 cups Bisquick
- wax paper
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well. Roll into bite-size balls. Place on wax paper on cookie sheet. Freeze overnight. When ready to cook, bake at 375° for 15 minutes.
Party Rye Pizzas
This pizza recipe comes from my aunt. Growing up, I could eat my weight in these and probably still could! They, too, can be frozen until you are ready to bake.
Ingredients:
- 3 loaves party rye bread (ask your baker for this specialty bread)
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 2 lbs. bulk sausage
- 2 lbs. Velveeta cheese
- cumin powder (generous amount; to taste)
- oregano (sparingly; to taste)
Directions:
Cook meats until redness is gone. Add spices. Pour off excess fat. Cube and melt cheese into meat mix. Pile mixture on party rye bread and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350° until crusty. Makes about 100 small pizzas.
Stuffed Mushrooms
My sister-in-law serves this recipe as an appetizer before Easter lunch. We are always surprised when they magically run out. You really cannot make enough of these easy, stuffed mushrooms!
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. package of fresh, whole mushrooms
- 8 oz. Philadelphia chive and onion cream cheese (room temperature)
- 8 oz. bag of shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°. Wash mushrooms and remove the stems. Lightly stir cream cheese in container with a teaspoon. Fill mushroom with spoonful of cream cheese. Place the mushroom cap-side down into a glass baking dish. Bake for 17 minutes. Sprinkle the tops of the mushrooms with shredded Parmesan cheese. Bake for another 8 minutes or until the tops have begun to brown. Allow the mushroom to sit and cool for 10 minutes.
Whichever team you are rooting for, win over your guests with these simple but yummy appetizers this game. Out of curiosity, who are you rooting for? Geaux Bengals!
