Want to Throw a Last Minute Super Bowl Party?

Thinking about throwing a Super Bowl Party this year? Even if you aren't the biggest football fan, Super Bowl Sunday is a good excuse to get family and friends together and have a good time. Need some party food ideas for your Super Bowl Party? We’ve got you covered.

The Food

Football fans are the easiest snackers to satisfy: They love anything that's easy to eat and delicious. Whether you’re watching the game for the football or the commercials, the food for your party can be festive, easy and tasty. Here are a couple tips:

• Keep it simple and portable. A buffet is your only option. Nobody wants to be sitting down at a table to eat when they'd rather be screaming at a television set or two.
• Make sure to offer a menu with a nice selection that will appeal to a variety of tastes and diets.
• Think of items that are easy and self-served. This way you can enjoy the party yourself!
• Be creative, think "fun" and have a great time.

Here’s a few ideas that may inspire you for your big bash.

And The Trophy Goes To?
The Super Bowl is all about two teams battling for the big win. How about continue that battle on the food table by serving food that represents the teams local fare? This is an area where you can have some fun. Both teams come from areas that are steeped in Eastern European traditions, so get your inspiration from that.

Green Bay Packers
It’s easy to name a popular Super Bowl food that is identified with the Green Bay Packers: cheese. Oh…where to start—speads, melts, fondue, dips, cheese and crackers. The list could go on and on. Wisconsin also produces sausages in many forms—summer sausage, franks, wurst and kielbasa.

Packers Menu

• Beer Cheese Fondue
• Hot Bacon Cheese Dip
• Zesty Fiesta Sausage Dip
• Beer Brats
• Sausage Chili
• Beer Cheddar Bread—a perfect side for your chili
• Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes

Pittsburgh Steelers
For most die-hard Pittsburghers, it's kielbasa, pierogies and chipped ham barbecue. They're easy to prepare and serve, with little to clean up, and they keep the meat and potato lovers happy. Pierogies can be homemade, but time consuming although not hard, or you can find them in your freezer section. Serve with sautéed onions, sour cream, bacon or any garnish. They are filling and always a hit. Chipped ham is one of Pittsburgh's most famous foods. It is a spicy lunch meat that made its debut in 1933 at a locally based family chain of dairy stores. For dessert, why not serve Klondike Bars—they originated in Pittsburgh. You never know what your guests will do for a Klondike bar! Add a little Steelers colors to your food as well. Mango Black Bean Salsa with black beans and gold mangoes is yummy served with tortilla chips. For a healthy treat, try fat-free black bean dip served with yellow and orange peppers for dipping.

Steelers Menu

• Mango Black Bean Salsa
• Fat Free Black Bean Dip
• Kielbasa Sandwiches
• Buffalo Pierogies
• Chipped Ham Barbecue

Sticking to Those New Year’s Resolutions
With the holiday’s behind us, we make those resolutions to eat better, go to the gym, etc., and then comes the Super Bowl.

Did you know that only Thanksgiving beats out Super Bowl Sunday when it comes to most food consumed by Americans in a single day?

Having a more healthy Super Bowl party does not mean watching the game while on the treadmill. No worries—if you're looking for a few great, healthier crowd-pleasing recipe ideas that everyone will enjoy, you're in luck. Here’s a few suggestions to stick to your diet:

• Southwestern Layered Bean Dip 
• Chili Con Queso
• French Onion Dip
• Fresh Tomato & Chicken Pizza
• Quick Pizza Margherita
• Turkey Chili

Here are some simple food swaps that will reduce the “bad” fat (saturated fat) content of your favorite super bowl recipe:

•  Salsa instead of cream-based dip
•  Guacamole (good fat) instead of queso dip
•  Sub sandwich instead of pizza
•  Baked or popped chips instead of fried chips (Popchips are yummy).
•  Fruit platter instead of a cheese platter (Sorry, Packers fans).
•  Air-popped popcorn instead of nuts (Nuts are a "good" fat, but very high in calories).
•  Use nonfat plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo or sour cream for making dip

The Bank Is Broke
Economic woes shouldn’t keep you from hosting a Super, Super Bowl Bash. Here are a few money saving tips to help you get the celebration going—without breaking the bank

• Money Saving Tip #1: Make it a team effort. Assign guests a dish to bring—a great way to share the work and expense. Be specific with your guests on what you would like them to bring, as there is nothing worse than getting four pots of chili and 10 bags of uneaten chips. Your guests will love you for this…they don’t have think what to bring!
• Money Saving Tip #2: Dollar store. Hit up the dollar store for your paper products, plastic tablecloths, etc. Load up on your favorite team colors instead of the logo paper products that are at the party stores that can be double the price.
• Money Saving Tip #3: Save your money on decorations. Ask guests to get in the spirit by wearing the colors or team jersey of the team they are rooting for. A room full of football fans dressed for the game will add all the spirit you need.
• Money Saving Tip #4: Stock up on cheap appetizers. Guests will inevitably eat less of their main meal if they've been snacking on nachos and chips for the past hour.
• Money Saving Tip #5: Make food that caters to large parties. A great example of this is chili. People love chili, and the ingredients are relatively inexpensive. You can make a lot of it for a little price. Also, a taco bar would be a good idea too. Cook up a ton of ground beef, and put out cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
• Money Saving Tip #6: Prepare your food from scratch. It will take a little more time and effort but it does save money. Catering food or buying premade food from the grocery store is always more expensive than preparing it on your own. Plus, you can control the types of ingredients you put into the food, how fattening or nonfattening you want it to be, and how much salt you want to add to it.

Now, enjoy the party. Have a wonderful time with your family and friends, kick back and relax…