This weekend, the greatest television spectacle known to mankind takes place. No, we’re not talking about re-runs of Golden Girls, or that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer falls asleep in the tanning bed. We are talking about the Super Bowl starring Tom Brady. Again. Actually we are more excited to see the Weeknd ’s performance at the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show. And the snacks. Yes… we are totally ok with the delicious food that is going to get consumed this weekend.

This year’s broadcast from Tampa, Fla. will look unlike any other with the stadium limited to 25,000 screaming football fans and 30,000 cutouts to fill the vacant spaces, according to the National Football League. For the millions of people watching from home, you’re going to need some food to get you through it. Because let’s be honest, the food is always the best part of the Super Bowl. So we’ve done a little snacking research and are bringing you some wicked food goals. Or touch downs. Whatever it is.

 

Bacon Cheeseburger Bread

It’s bacon. It’s cheese. It’s bread. The holy trifecta of deliciousness. As if you needed another reason to stuff your maw full of bacon and cheese, we found yet another one.

What you’ll need for this beauty:

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 30 slices of cheese
  • All-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 1/2 pounds store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature
  • 5 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 12 strips cooked bacon, broken in half
  • One 32-ounce jar dill pickle chips (35 to 40 chips)
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

How to tame this beast:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring to break it up into small crumbles, until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, roughly chop half of the cheese, leaving other half as slices. Set aside.

3. Remove the beef from the skillet and transfer to a large bowl; discard the liquid and fat. Let the beef cool completely in the bowl, then stir in the chopped cheese.

4. Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough into a 20-by-14-inch rectangle. Arrange the beef and cheese mixture evenly on one half of the dough, starting on the shorter end and leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Drizzle 2 tablespoons ketchup evenly over the beef mixture and the uncovered half of the dough; repeat with all the mustard, and then the red onion. Lay down the remaining cheese slices evenly over the half of the dough with no beef mixture, leaving a 1-inch border on the sides. Arrange the bacon pieces and 24 dill pickle chips just over the beef mixture.
5. Roll up the dough into a log, jelly-roll style. Pinch the open ends together to seal, then tuck them underneath the log. Transfer the log, seam side-down, to the prepared baking sheet, brush all over with water and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until the bread is golden brown, about 40 minutes.

6. As the bread bakes whisk together the mayonnaise, onion flakes, sugar, a pinch of salt and pepper and the remaining 3 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill pickle chips and 1 teaspoon pickle brine in a small bowl. Taste, and season the special sauce with additional salt if needed. Let the bread cool for 10 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve warm with the special sauce.

Boom. Bacon Cheeseburger bread. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

 

Mac and Cheese Balls with Sriracha

Once again, we take something that everyone likes – mac and cheese – and find yet another reason for you to put it in your mouth on game day! This recipe takes the traditional mc and cheese and spices it up!

What you’ll need:

  • Premade Macaroni and cheese, covered overnight in the refrigerator
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha plus more for serving
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Muffin Liners

How to make this:

1. Using aa big serving spoon or ice cream scoop, portion out a ball of macaroni and cheese. Place into muffin liners and put the liners on a tray. Freeze for 30 minutes.
2. In a shallow dish, combine the sriracha and panko crumbs until its all evenly coated. Beat an egg in a small bowl.
3. Pour you vegetable oil to a depth of 2? in a pot and heat to a temperature of 350F.
4. Remove mac and cheese balls from the muffin liner, coat with egg and roll in sriracha breadcrumbs. Set aside and repeat.
5. Add the mac and cheese balls to the hot oil, working in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding. Remove when golden brown and crispy.
6. Drizzle with additional sriracha to taste and serve immediately.
The Super Bowl may be boring, but the party in your mouth from these Sriracha Mac and Cheese balls definitely wont be!

 

Quite possibly the greatest Chili ever made

This may be the greatest chili recipe on the face of the earth, and it’s very possible that it actually may be from the author’s own personal recipe collection. So, consider yourselves very lucky because you can’t have a Super Bowl without chili, and you sure as heck can’t have one without THIS chili. Buckle up buckaroos and burn this recipe into your brain.

What is in this masterpiece:

  • 1 Can of Black beans
  • 1 can of Kidney Beans
  • 1 can crushed tomato
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced yellow pepper
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup of Hickory BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • 2 tbsp Franks Red Hot or Cholula
  • ½ can of Dr. Pepper

How to Prepare:

1. Go to your cupboard and grab the largest pot you have in the house.
2. Dump every single ingredient from the above list into the pot
3. Simmer on low for 4 hours stirring intermittently
4. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese or sour cream
5. Serve to those lucky enough to be related to you or your friend.

Remember kids, the Super Bowl doesn’t have to be about football. The food and drink are the most important part of this day, so embrace the carbs and the fat and the cheese and just go to town. YAY Football!!