It’s nearly time for Super Bowl 50. Time for a party that will likely include high fives and booing, commercials we’ll actually watch and a halftime show we’ll scrutinize. I’m still a big fan of Missy Elliott’s moment and Madonna’s acrobatic moves while singing. I’m excited to see Lady Gaga belt out the anthem and all the extra guests for halftime like Beyonce and Adele. I’ve got Super Bowl party tips that work for game day or any football party in your future.
Hang or tape these team banners on kraft paper or attach to a white sheet as a DIY photo booth. Let your friends decide which team to root by choice of pom pom, finger sign or helmet for photos. All of these DIY creations from photo booth signage to cupcake toppers to chips boxes were made with the Cricut Explore Air.
Simple, Tasty Finger Food
Ordering delivery on game day can take hours to arrive. I plan ahead and do a stop at the market for chips, dips, drinks and food that will satisfy everyone’s cravings. I skip the freezer aisle and focus on the refrigerated foods that are fresher and healthier and easy to prepare from pasta dishes to pizzas to salsas.
For this delicious dish I took a package of organic Three Bridges Rainbow Tortellini and their Heirloom Marinara to make Parmesan Tortellini Bites.
This recipe yields four servings. Start to finish, prep and cook is 25 minutes.
Ingredients:
20 oz. package of Three Bridges Rainbow Tortellini
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 cup all purpose flour
4 large eggs beaten
1 cup Three Bridges Heirloom Marinara
Directions:
1- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to instructions on package. Drain well.
2- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3- In a large bowl, combine panko and parmesan then set aside.
4-Working in batches, dredge tortellini in flour, dip into eggs then dredge in panko mixture, pressing to coat.
5-Add tortellini to the skillet, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer cooked tortellini to a paper towel lined plate.
6- Serve immediately with marinara sauce and sprinkle with additional parmesan if you like cheese like I do — meaning, more please. Enjoy!
Super Bowl Party Tips
Skip white clothing. There’s likely to be a lot of jumping up and down and yelling for touch downs so avoid your finer clothes. Keep napkins handy for finger foods like wings. Since you’ll be busy with decor, putting out drinks and making the finger foods skip making the salsa from scratch. Ok, it’s likely you weren’t going to do that anyway, but you can make a better choice than a jar version and choose Rojo’s Salsa in the refrigerated aisle made with fresh ingredients. And, or course, have plenty of chips available. Consider going the extra step and offer individual paper bags that you roll down from the top or mini paper containers you decorate to hold the chips so everyone gets their own and there aren’t a lot of messy hands in a bowl.
Game day would be a bust without chips. Since I don’t anybody that can stop at eating just one or two chips, I prefer to offer some healthier versions like Beanitos bean based chips made with black beans, white beans, navy and pinto beans that are gluten free and have protein and fiber. The original black bean with sea salt and the hint of lime flavors are my go to choice that pair well with salsa and dips.
Ok, so cupcakes aren’t what you’d call healthy, but I believe necessary at a party.
Place cupcakes, chips and salsa, and all your foods in tiered serveware to save some table space and make food easy to grab. All of these party serveware pieces are by B. Smith available Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Drinks
Build Your Own 6 Pack
You can mix n’ match any of Cost Plus World Market’s international beer offerings into your own personalized 6 pack. Explorer Member’s receive 25% off all build your own 6 packs.
Besides beer and non-alcoholic drinks, offer a mixed drink everyone can enjoy so you don’t have to play bartender. Make a big batch and make it self serve from a drink dispenser available at Cost Plus World Market.
