Ideas for an Italian Themed Super Bowl Party

So a Mexican themed party is not for you or you’ve been there done that…. and want to do something different this year…. Italian foods can be casual… easy to make… many can be made ahead… and are generally universally liked….

So here are some ideas….








Pizza… is an obvious choice… but buying pizza can get expensive… and most pizza places are overwhelmed with orders for that day… can you be sure it will be ready when you want it? Making your own pizza is easy… but make sure you have enough for your party guests… if you can only fit one pizza at a time in your oven… then you might have to re-think your plans… consider how many guests you have and how many slices are coming out of the oven at one time… you could make a large rectangle pizza and cut it into squares… it feeds a lot of people and you will have other foods for them to eat… you can prepare two… and when one comes out… put the other in…



Stromboli…. is a perfect choice…. you can prepare one or more ahead… slice it and serve at room temperature… you can vary the ingredients between the different Strombolis.




Italian Spinach Bacon and Cheese Sandwiches…. these sandwiches can be made with small party bread…. perfect snack or horsdourves size…. the smaller size will eliminate the need for a fork and a knife…. they will require use of the oven… but you can bake them first… before foods that take longer… and serve them at room temperature


Fried Ravioli…. These can be made ahead and frozen…. then re-heated in the oven… again you will need the use of an oven… you could use a toaster oven… but I would lower the temperature and use a lower rack in the toaster oven …. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-cooking and incinerating them ( I did that with a batch on New Year’s Eve… luckily I had more in the freezer).



Quick and Easy Salami and Provolone Pasta Salad… a perfect choice too… can be totally made ahead … is pretty versatile and goes really with most other menu choices.




Mini Calzones….. these can be assembled quite a bit ahead…. then baked ahead also….say an hour or so ahead…. they can be warm or room temperature… keep in mind this will require oven time…. so do a timetable to ensure everything goes smoothly. Serve with tomato sauce they can ladle on their plates.



Antipasto Salad…. another food item that can be totally assembled ahead…. make a large platter, put out tongs and let your guest take a serving….





Italian Meatballs…. make them ahead…. I mean really ahead… a week ahead… freeze them fully cooked… then defrost them and put them in a crock pot with Italian tomato (spaghetti) sauce and you’re done…. and no other work is required….party perfect!.....I have the perfect recipe….I’d make them a bit smaller than usual…. If you do make them smaller … remember to cut back on the baking time (my recipe doesn’t fry them … instead you bake them in the oven).


Garlicy Parmesan Bread Sticks…. also can be made ahead … wrap them in foil and place them briefly in the oven with another food your baking…. sprinkle a little water on them so they don’t dry out in the oven… and don’t reheat them too long otherwise they’ll get hard…… serve with tomato sauce or garlic butter… put a ladle in the sauces so guests can ladle the sauce onto their plates… to avoid double dipping.


Baked Ziti…. If you want to serve something substantial… this dish can fit the bill…. It’s easy to serve can be assembled ahead and baked…. goes well with Antipasto Salad… Garlic Bread… Breadsticks… Meatballs…. Stromboli… Fried Ravioli…. Just an all around terrific choice if you want something hearty… and not expensive to make.

Italian Mini Subs…. You can purchase sub rolls… and make subs in advance and cut them in half…. make a platter and you’re good to go…. goes well with other finger foods… and the Quick and Easy Salami and Provolone Pasta Salad. Use salami… ham… provolone… pepperoni … meatballs…. sausage, peppers and onions…. just some ideas to get you started….


Desserts… as with the Mexican themed party… my advice is the same… you need them… but keep it pretty simple… brownies or other bar cookie…. cupcakes are always fun... decorate them with a football theme... I’d have two kinds of desserts…. or do something a little different… get small clear plastic cups… and make “Dessert Shooters” like those in restaurants… again these can be made ahead too…. consider something like my Chocolate Pudding Parfaits… do two or more versions for variety.

I hope this helps you start thinking about your menu plans…