Easy Super Bowl Appetizers

Hosting a Super Bowl party at your house can be quite exhausting if you don't have a plan! We wanted to keep this year's Super Bowl on a budget and make some simple appetizers to fill everyone up while we down our beers, shots, play beer pong, and watch the Broncos lose Bruno Mars' amazing half time show and funny super bowl commercials...  :)

We kept it simple. We had 5 people total, so I made three appetizers, and we still had plenty left over for later!

Recipes are below. Enjoy and pin for next year's Super Bowl party!

Hot Spinach Queso: Crockpot Recipe

Ingredients: 

-10oz Frozen spinach, thawed and drained

-1lb Velveeta cheese (2% reduced fat)

-8oz Cream cheese (lite)

-1 Jar salsa (I used medium salsa for a kick, about 3/4 of a 18oz jar)

-Handful of chopped cilantro (optional, but so good!)

Directions:

-Cube the Velveeta cheese and place all ingredients in crockpot and heat until cheese has melted. You will want to continue to stir occasionally to combine the ingredients. Keep on low setting, it should take around an hour to be melted (but some crockpots may vary). This method is great so you can keep the dip warm for a few hours during the game.

If you are not doing Crockpot:

If you prefer, you can always place all ingredients in an oven safe dish, and bake until the dip is heated through. Set oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly! 

Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

These are a staple in my household. I'm a HUGE wing lover and these are always a huge hit. They can be pretty spicy, so I always have bleu cheese and ranch dressing on the side for dipping. 

Ingredients: 

-3 or 4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts

-3/4 jar of Louisiana Hot Wing Sauce (Or Red's if you prefer)

-8 Wheat Tortillas

-Bleu Cheese Crumbles

-Dry Ranch Seasoning Packet

Directions:

-Place frozen chicken breasts in boiling pot of water for about 20-30 minutes until cooked

-Place cooked chicken in a bowl and let sit for about 5 minutes to cool

-Shred chicken, set oven to 400 degrees 

-Mix chicken with the buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning packet

-Roll into tortillas and top with bleu cheese crumbles

-Place in oven for 15 minutes

-Cut taquitos in half once taken out of oven.

-Enjoy!

Burger Sliders

These are pretty much a no-brainer. They are just so delicious, though! And so easy. 

Ingredients:

-1pkg King Hawaiian Wheat Rolls (12)

-2lb Lean Ground Beef

-3 Slices American Cheese, cut into fours

-Burger fixings (1 tomato sliced, few pickles, 1 small white onion sliced, small pieces of lettuce)

Directions:

-Divide ground beef into small slider sized patties and season to your liking. We used a small bit of Tony's seasoning and McCormick Steak Seasoning. 

-Set skillet to Medium-High heat. Cook burgers about 2-3 minutes per side. 

-Place cheese on burgers while on skillet to melt

-Slice buns in half and place cooked burgers on the slider buns

-Top with whatever you like

-Enjoy!

What are your favorite appetizers to make for the big day?!

Southwestern Egg Rolls with Spicy Avocado Ranch

Morning, friends! Today I have a special treat of a recipe for you! Not only is this an incredibly easy appetizer that feeds 25-30 people, but it was under $6 to make ALL of it (including the dip!)! I kid you not - I am so glad I made this, and will be making again... and again and again.

Servings: 25-30 rolls

Ingredients:

For the egg rolls:
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1-15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-9 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry with paper towel
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
1-7oz can diced green chiles, drained
4 green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 package of egg roll or wonton wrappers

For the Spicy Avocado Ranch Dip:
1 Avocado
1 cup Mayo
1/2 cup Milk
Spicy Ranch Packet (Dry Seasoning)
Chives or Cilantro for Garnish :-)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil, and spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl mix together corn, beans, spinach, cheese, chiles, onions, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Using a small spoon, scoop a small amount of filling onto the wrapper.
3. Starting at a corner, carefully start to roll the wrapper. When it’s slightly rolled, tuck in the two side and continue rolling to the last point. Wet your finger with water and dab a bit on the corner to seal the egg roll.
4. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling, placing them slightly apart on the baking sheet.
5. Lightly spray the tops of the egg rolls with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes, flipping them at least once during baking.

Spicy Avocado Ranch Dip:
1. Mash Avocado in a small-med sized bowl, leaving as chunky or smooth to your liking.
2. Empty dry seasoning packet and add in milk and mayo, and whip into a dip. If you have a blender or food processor, this would be a perfect dip to blend. I wanted my avocado to be a little chunkier, so I did it by hand.
3. Top with chives or cilantro for garnish, and dip those egg rolls! So good!

You can find these egg roll wrappers in the grocery store in the refridgerated section by the Asian influenced foods like tofu and sushi. A pack of 16 is only $1.20, friends! SO inexpensive. All of the vegetables were in the frozen isle for around a $1 for over 16oz which is more than double what the recipe calls for. Like I said, incredibly delicious, meatless, brilliant appetizer to make for a party. Our friends loved them!

Another thing I definitely wanted to mention is that you can add shredded chicken to these for more protein and it would probably be even better!!

I had so many leftover egg roll wraps, and plan to make these Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls next week! Will definitely post how they turn out!

This recipe is Pinspired by Cake & Ally.

Happy Hump day! Make it a great one!

Game Night Appetizers

Last night we had a few friends over to watch OKC stomp on the Spurs. And they succeeded. Go Thunder!! Anyway, my sister & I decided to get some appetizers workin' in the kitchen before people started showing up. I am the kind of "Susie Homemaker" that has to have lots of delicious food ready for people coming over, even if Scott just invites his buddy over to battle in NBA 2k12 (is anyone else's lover obsessed?).

So we whipped up some insanely delcious appetizers - and each one was a huge hit! I barely have leftovers! If you have not made any of these three, you are missing out!

First things first, Dusty's and Ruthie's
Bacon & Cheese Bread Bowl Appetizer

Ingredients:

1 Round Loaf King's Hawaiian Bread

2 Small Packets of Bacon Bits (2.5oz)

1 Cup Chopped Onions

2 Cups Shredded Cheese (I used 1 Cup Cheddar, 1 cup Jalapeno & Jack Cheese Blend)

1 Cup Reduced Fat Mayo

1/2 Cup Shaker Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

2. Cut the center of the bread into a circle like you would a Soup Bread Bowl. Keep the inside of the bread (as you see in picture it can be used as dippers!) Also keep bread in original pan it came in.

3. In Medium Sized Bowl, mix Bacon, Onions, Cheese, & Mayo, then pour into the center of the braed bowl.

4. Cover loaf with Aluminum foil and place on baking sheet, then bake for 30 minutes. Uncover then bake for an additional 10 minutes (and keep an eye on the outside of the bread so it doesn' burn).

5. Grab some dippers and enjoy! I used some Ruffles Chips, Celery, and Bread pieces, but you can also use crackers, etc. 

Next thing we made was my latest success,

Baked Chicken & Spinach Flautas

Ingredients:

1 lb Boneless Chicken Thighs

16 oz Beer

2 Cups Water

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Ground Cumin

1 tsp Chili Powder

1 Jalepeno Pepper (Minced)

3 Cups Baby Spinach (Chopped)

Flour or Whole Wheat Tortillas (This yields 10, and we use HEB fresh homemade tortillas)

6 oz Queso Quesadilla or other melting cheese (Shredded)

1 tbsp Olive Oil or Cooking Spray

Salsa, Sour Cream, or Ranch for Serving

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2. Put Chicken thighs in a deep sauceman with beer and water. Bring to boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove chicken and shred it. Mix together the chicken and seasonings.

3. Pour out all but 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the jalepeno and spinach and cook over low heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.

4. Take a normal dinner spoon and measure that for how much chicken you put in the tortilla (you don't want it overflowing. Then Spinach/Jap and Cheese and roll up as tightly as you can, then place seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

5. Brush the flautas with the olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip them and bake an additional 8-10 minutes. (Or until Crispy)

Serve with Salsa, Sour Cream, or Ranch

Then, we made a new similar to the above recipe we found on Pinterest,

Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

Ingredients:



4 Cups of Chicken, shredded

12 soft Flour Tortillas

2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese

4 oz Light Philly Cream Cheese

1/3 Cup Frank's Hot Wing Sauce

1/3 Cup Milk

2 Tbsp Butter

1 tsp Mrs. Dash

1 tsp Garlic Powder

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. In a small saucepot over medium low heat, melt butter

3. Add Mrs. Dash, garlic powder, stir to combine for 1 minute

4. Add cream cheese and stir until melted and cmopltely combined with butter and spices

5. Whisk in hot sauce and milk, then simmer for 5-8 minutes. Add salt to taste.

6. Combine Chicken and Sauce

7. Lay out tortillas, and fill about 1/3 cup chicken with 2 tbsp mozzarella then roll tightly and placeon a greased baking sheet. Repeat until Chicken is gone.

8. Brush taquitos with Oil on all sides and bake for 10 minutes on one side, then flip and bake for anothe 8-10 minutes. Until golden brown.

Serve with Bleu Cheese Dressing, Ranch, and/or Sour Cream and Celery Sticks.

Okay, is your mouth watering yet? These appetizer dishes were absolutely incredible and will be made again and again for future parties.

What are your favorite go-to appetizer dishes!?