Planning on watching the Super Bowl with friends and family this year? It's time to be thinking about foods to serve... after all... that's about as important as the big game itself....
Make it Italian!
So here are some Italian Themed 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… whether you use pre-made dough you purchase or make your own... it's economical and easy..
Make it interesting... try different varieties.. like our Chicken Parm Pizza
You can even save money on Pizza Sauce... I have a quick and easy recipe that takes minutes to prepare...it also makes a great dipping sauce for the oven Fried Ravioli and the Mini Calzones.
Things to think about.... 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…
Things to consider.... how many guests you have and how many slices are coming out of the oven at one time…
Options.... 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… or you can include other foods as well...
Here are other ideas to consider.....
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.
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…. a few days ahead is ideal… 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).
NOTE: I wouldn't serve them with spaghetti, though. It would be too difficult and messy to eat unless you're eating at a table. If you want to make a pasta, I'd stick with baked ziti (read on) or another casserole. Making pasta for a crowd is not as easy as you think. Pots in the home are rarely big enough for a large quantity and you want to serve enough for everyone at once, so stick with a casserole.
Garlic Bread... always a winner.. and so easy to prepare!
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…. I sometimes use small sized sub rolls... my local grocery store calls them Vienna Rolls... found in the bakery department... make a platter and you’re good to go…. or just keep them as regular sized subs... either way they go well with other finger foods…
Meatball Parmigiana Subs are always popular... make up a batch of meatballs ahead... heat them in the crockpot ... cut the rolls ahead... just before serving line 'em up on a baking sheet... fill them.. sprinkle with cheese... pop them in the oven... you can do as many as you can fit on a baking sheet all at once... a perfect time saver!
Desserts… My advice is … you need them… but keep it pretty simple… Brownies or other bar cookie…. cupcakes are always fun... decorate them with a football theme...
I hope this helps you start thinking about your menu plans…
Ciao!
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