Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili Five-Way
If you've never tried Cincinnati chili, this is the year to do it. (Go Bengals!) And if you're wondering how different it could be from "regular" chili, the answer is very. "Warm spices like cinnamon, allspice and cloves set this chili apart from the more traditional versions," writes Meredith Deeds in 2013. But five ways? If you want a bowl of chili on its own, that's One-Way, chili over spaghetti is Two-Way, chili over spaghetti with beans is Three-Way, chili over spaghetti with beans and cheese is Four-Way, and add onions to that and you have Five-Way. Find the recipe here.
Detroit-style Pizza
With its thick, chewy crust, a mind-blowing amount of Wisconsin cheese that forms a crispy brown edge and a garlicky, slightly sweet sauce, Detroit-style pizza is still all the rage. "It's not the pizza you might expect, but it's the pizza you're going to crave from here on out," writes Meredith Deeds in 2020. Sure, you can have it delivered. But be the playmaker and try to make it on your own. Find the recipe here.
Borani
For Beth Dooley, spinach dip — served in a hollowed-out bread bowl, of course — was the Super Bowl snack of choice. Then she discovered Borani. "It's a genius combination of cooked spinach with super-thick strained plain yogurt and Middle Eastern spices, served garnished with caramelized onions and lightly toasted lavash," Dooley writes in 2017. If there are any leftovers, served it on grilled fish, roasted lamb or in sandwiches. Find the recipe here.
Hazelnut Parmesan Crackers
Step up your meat-and-cheese tray game with homemade crackers. But why make your own when there are so many options available at markets? "Let's start with flavor," writes Beth Dooley in 2021. "Freshly baked crackers are distinctly delicious. Far more than a carrier for toppings, they're great nibbled on their own." But be warned: once you start making your own crackers, you might not stop. Find the recipe here.
Game Day Chipotle Chicken Chili
If you're a little intimidated by Cincinnati chili, here's another alternative. Start this crowd-pleaser between the first two quarters and it will be ready before halftime is over. "There's a lot to like about this chili, including the fact that you can make it in about 30 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients," writes Meredith Deeds in 2015. This crowd-pleaser is hearty, economical and (relatively) guilt-free. Find the recipe here.
White Bean Hummus in a "Football"
Among the array of food, it's never a bad idea to include meatless options. "Specifically, we're looking at creamy white bean hummus, studded with olives and peppers and feta, inside an edible bread 'football,' " writes Robin Asbell in 2018. The football is a hollowed-out loaf of bread but this dip is just as tasty served in a bowl, too. Find the recipe here.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
A cook's dilemma: Everyone has their favorites, but you want to stretch your culinary muscles. "Even if you don't want to wander too far astray, you can take familiar flavors and turn them into unfamiliar dishes. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are a perfect example," writes Meredith Deeds in 2018. Problem solved. Find the recipe here.
Soft Pretzels
These delights, the topic of a 2015 Baking Central column by Kim Ode, will not disappoint. The trickiest part is getting the shapes to be pretzel-like, but practice makes perfect. It's also the perfect kid-friendly activity for the weekend — or any time. Go ahead and make a practice batch first — they won't be wasted. "Fresh pretzels, made that morning and rewarmed in a 250-degree oven, will be pounced on as quickly as a fumble," Ode said. Find the recipe here.
Pork Pot Stickers with Sesame-Soy Dipping Sauce
While this recipe appeared nearly 10 years ago, it remains a go-to in my appetizer repertoire. "Pot stickers are a great choice for this kind of 'all-together-now' cooking," writes Meredith Deeds in 2012. "They're not too difficult, so anyone big or little, experienced or not, can do them. They're impressive, so everyone feels a sense of pride in the result." Find the recipe here.
Bloody Mary Bar
If you're looking for some pregame ideas, bloody Mary bars are usually a crowd-pleaser. "There are no rules to making a good bloody Mary, but there are elements for the home barkeeper to have on hand for a do-it-yourself gathering," writes Lee Dean in 2016. Find all the tips and tricks — and recipes for homemade mix — here. And don't forget the beer chaser.
