The Big Game on a Budget

Note: All ingredients were purchased from Hy-Vee Jefferson City. Make sure to look for some of these items on sale.

With the big game right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning a crowd-pleasing watch party that will wow your guests. Whether you are tuning in to root on your team, or you just enjoy the commercials, snacks are a must. To help score a touchdown with friends and family and make sure you don’t have to call an audible right before the game starts, we’ve come up with recipes that feed a crowd and keep you on budget. Here’s your game plan with easy to make recipes that feed 15 people for $100.

CAKE BALLS $6.60

PREGAME

• Prep Time 40 minutes
• Cook Time 30 minutes
• Total Time 3 hours, 10 minutes
• Servings 36

Ingredients:

• 1 package chocolate cake mix
• 1 16-ounce container chocolate frosting
• 1 3-ounce bar chocolate candy coating

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions and bake.
2. When the cake is finished, crumble while warm into a large bowl.
3. Stir in frosting until well blended.
4. Melt chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water.
5. Form cake mixture into small balls and dip the balls in the chocolate using a toothpick.
6. Place on wax paper to set.

BACON WRAPPED WEENIES $45.03

EXTRA POINT

• Prep Time 10 minutes
• Cook Time 30 minutes
• Total Time 40 minutes
• Servings 15

Ingredients:

• 2 16-ounce packages of Lit’l Smokies
• 1 package of bacon (cut slices into thirds)
• 1 cup brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Wrap individual Lit’l Smokies with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
4. Line bacon-wrapped weenies on a prepared baking sheet.
5. Sprinkle brown sugar over each weenie.
6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is browned.

CHILI $21.30

MVP

• Prep Time 15 minutes
• Cook Time 5 to 6 hours
• Total Time 5 to 6 hours
• Servings 16

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 pounds ground beef
• 4 packages chili seasoning mix
• 4 cans or 14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
• 4 cans or 15 ounces kidney beans, undrained
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and saute 3 minutes. Pour onions into a large crock pot.
• Brown the beef in a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Drain fat from beef and pour your browned beef into the crock pot.
• Stir in chili seasoning mix, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover with lid and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours.
• Serve warm with desired toppings.

FOOTBALL CHEESE DIP $45.35

STARTING LINEUP

• Prep Time 2 hours
• Cook Time 0 minutes
• Total Time 2 hours
• Servings 15

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 5 ounces mini pepperoni slices (2 bags, divided)
• 6 green onions (thinly sliced)
• 1 string cheese

Instructions:

1. Use a mixer to beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy
2. Mix in half of the pepperoni slices and all of the green onions
3. Spoon cream cheese mixture into the middle of a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the cheeseball firmly and use your hands to shape it into a football
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours
5. Remove cheeseball from refrigerator and plastic wrap. Cover completely with remaining pepperoni slices, pressing gently to adhere
6. Use the mozzarella stick to make the laces of the football
7. Serve with pretzels, crackers, or vegetables.

MEATBALLS $8.26

FAN FAVORITE

• Prep Time 10 minutes
• Cook Time 3 hours, 30 minutes
• Total Time 3 hours, 40 minutes
• Servings 15

Ingredients:

• 1 32-ounce bag of frozen, fully cooked meatballs
• 18 ounces barbeque sauce
• 10 ounces grape jelly

Instructions:

1. Place frozen meatballs into a crockpot.
2. Add barbeque sauce and grape jelly.
3. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours on high.

TACO DIP $11.60

HALFTIME SHOW

• Prep Time 20 minutes
• Cook Time 0 minutes
• Total Time 20 minutes
• Servings 15

Ingredients:

• 1 31-ounce can refried beans
• 1 24-ounce tub of sour cream
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 2.25 ounce can black olives, drained
• 1/3 cup green onions, sliced

Instructions:

1. Layer a 9-by-13 pan with refried beans.
2. In a small bowl, mix sour cream and taco seasoning. Layer on top of refried beans.
3. Sprinkle cheese over sour cream mixture.
4. Top with tomatoes, black olives, and green onions.
5. Serve with tortilla chips.

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP $11.98

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• Prep Time 10 minutes
• Cook Time 20 minutes
• Total Time 30 minutes
• Servings 15

Ingredients:

• 4 cups shredded, cooked chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken also works well)
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup hot sauce
• 1 cup ranch dressing

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and spoon into a shallow baking dish.
3. Bake for 20 minutes, or until mixture is heated through, and stir.
4. Serve warm with chips, crackers, or vegetables.

FOOTBALL RICE KRISPIE TREATS $4.87

WINNING TOUCHDOWN

• Prep Time 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Cook Time 15 minutes
• Total Time 1.5 hours
• Servings 15

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Cocoa Krispie cereal
• 4 cups mini-marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Vanilla frosting

FINAL SCORE

Serves 15

Total cost $94.99