Big Game Party: Main Game Recipes

Recipes and a party planning checklist to complete your Super Bowl Party

By Jeanne Benedict
Jeanne Does Pizza Burgers - Click Here to WatchJeanne Does Pizza Burgers - Click Here to Watch the Video
A Big Game party is the ultimate sports celebration, so fire up the grill for your main game meal! Sack the pizza delivery, and make Stuffed Pizza Burgers. Blitz the ‘wings with a Maple-Bourbon Glaze. Cook up these tasty recipes for your party and you’ll have an award-winning buffet.

A Quarterback Spin on Party Food

Put a twist on traditional football party food. If you’re hosting the bash, you can do better than pizza delivery without spending all day in the kitchen. Serve homemade Stuffed Pizza Burgers with a toppings bar on the buffet. Offer pizza sauce, grilled mushrooms and onions, cheese, olives, even pineapple slices! In addition to the specialty items, include all the burger must-haves: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce, and tomato.

Extra Point Buffet Spread Ideas

Take your buffet spread up a level with these quick ideas.

  • Use mini, star-shaped cookie cutters to make red, yellow, and green pepper stars to top pasta salad
  • Add color to a green salad with quartered baby red and yellow tomatoes
  • In addition to standard-issue condiments, whip up gourmet spreads for burgers

For the fans in my house, it’s not a football party without the chicken wings. Treat guests to Maple-Bourbon Glazed Chicken Wings, a super variation of this sports party favorite. Complete your menu by serving a green salad, potato salad, and pasta salad. Follow my game plan below for a true victory celebration!

Big Game Party Planning Checklist

Serve Your BurgersThis Buffet Has Its Game Face On

1 Week Before the Party
Favor PacksWatch the Halftime Fun and Games video
2 Days Before the Party
1 Day Before the Party
  • Set up the buffet without the food
  • Decorate party rooms
  • Make pasta and potato salads. Cover and refrigerate.
Morning of the Party
  • Make dips. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Put pasta and potato salad, and all toppings, except fresh cut vegetables and salsa in serving bowls. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Prep Stuffed Pizza Burgers. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Put chips and other non-refrigerated snack food in serving bowls. Cover until party time.
1 hour Before the Party
  • Prep hot appetizers and heat upon guests’ arrival
  • Make fresh salsa (or open your favorite jar)
  • Set out snacks and appetizers. Keep veggies fresh by placing a damp paper towel over them until guests arrive.
30-45 Minutes Before Serving
    Apps on TableServe Your Appetizers in Style
  • Fire up the grill and cook burgers
  • Cook chicken wings
  • Put green salad in a bowl (toss with dressing just before eating)
  • Put toppings, pasta and potato salads, wings and burgers on the buffet
  • Ice down drinks in coolers
  • After the meal, swap out appetizers for cookies and sweets

Big Game Recipes for the Main Game Meal


A menu like this is an instant touchdown!

STUFFED PIZZA BURGERS

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 8 Minute(s)

6 Tbsp. Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. chopped pepperoni
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves, crushed
1/2 cup Ragu ® Pizza Quick Sauce - Traditional, heated
4 hamburger buns, toasted

1. In small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese and pepperoni; chill.

2. In large bowl, combine ground beef and oregano; shape into 8 patties. Evenly spread pepperoni mixture on center of 4 patties; top with remaining patties and seal edges tightly. Grill or broil, turning once, until burgers are done.

3. Evenly spread remaining 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise on buns. To serve, arrange burgers on buns and evenly top with Pizza Sauce.

MAPLE-BOURBON GLAZED CHICKEN WINGS
with Real Mayonnaise

Serves: 72 appetizers
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 15 Minute(s)

36 chicken wings (about 3 lbs.)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup pure maple or pancake syrup
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup bourbon or whiskey
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional)
1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise

1. Cut tips off wings; cut wings in half at joint.

2. In medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook onion, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until golden. Add syrup, ketchup, bourbon and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat. With wire whisk, stir in Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise until smooth.

3. Grill or broil chicken wings, turning occasionally and brushing frequently with sauce, 15 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

EASY ROASTED GARLIC POTATO SALAD

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 40 Minute(s)
Stand Time: 20 Minute(s)

3/4 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 lbs. red bliss or new potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/3 cup chopped green onions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. In large bowl, combine 1/4 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, garlic, salt and pepper. Add potatoes and toss to coat. In broiler pan, without the rack or shallow baking pan, arrange potatoes in single layer. Roast, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown. Let cool 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup Mayonnaise and onions. Add potatoes and toss to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.
ITALIAN-STYLE PASTA SALAD

Serves: 8
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 20 Minute(s)

1 box (16 oz.) twist or spiral pasta
1 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1 cup Wish-Bone® Italian or Balsamic Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
5 cups assorted chopped vegetables*

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool.

2. In large bowl, combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, Dressing and vegetables.

3. Toss pasta with mayonnaise mixture. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Toss, if desired, with additional Mayonnaise before serving.

*Use any combination of the following: red, green or yellow bell peppers, Spanish, red or green onions, carrot, tomato, cucumber, olives, artichoke hearts, broccoli, cauliflower or celery.

VARIATIONS: For a Seafood Pasta Salad, stir in 1 can (6-1/2 oz.) tuna, shrimp or crabmeat, drained.

Be creative...try adding cut-up cooked chicken, turkey, bacon, ham, pepperoni, Parmesan, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese or roasted red peppers.
AVOCADO CAESAR SALAD

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 6 Minute(s)

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1/2 ripe avocado, peeled
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Tbsp. Bertolli® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. anchovy paste or 1 anchovy fillet (optional)
10 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves (about 16 oz.)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. In 10-inch nonstick skillet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray over medium heat, sprinkle about 3 tablespoons shredded cheese to form a 3-inch circle. Cook 2 minutes or until cheese is golden and firm enough to turn over. Cook an additional 30 seconds. Remove and cool on paper towels. Repeat with remaining cheese to make 6 crisps; set aside.

2. In blender or mini food processor, process Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, avocado, lime juice, Olive Oil, garlic and anchovy until smooth, scraping
sides occasionally.

3. In large bowl, toss mayonnaise dressing with lettuce and grated Parmesan cheese. Season, if desired, with freshly ground pepper. Serve garnished with Parmesan crisps.
For more football party ideas, check out the Big Game Party Videos, along with my other articles to help you make your bash a huge success: First Down Appetizers, Super Pro Decor, and Halftime Fun and Games.
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