Ready to get a head start on food prep for the big game? Whether you're hosting a party or watching with your friends and family, these make-ahead Super Bowl food ideas can help you get out of the kitchen and into the middle of the action on the big day. What a great - and tasty! - way to free up your time so you can focus on pre-gaming and savor every moment of every quarter (and the commercials).
Super Bowls Full of Yum for the Big Game
Super Bowl Sunday is a great time to plan a soup-er menu! Make a flavor-filled hearty soup ahead of time, then refrigerate or freeze until the big day. Put it in your slow cooker on low that morning so it's hot before the game and to keep it warm all evening.
Chili
Chili tastes even better after it mellows in the fridge for a day or two, so it's a great make-ahead food choice for Super Bowl Sunday. You can eat this beef and bean chili by the bowlful, or scoop it over tortilla chips and add cheese to make nachos.
Not into beef? Try a creamy white chicken chili instead. Just as with tomato-based chili, the flavor of this white chicken chili recipe will improve if it sits in the fridge a day or two before you serve it on game day.
Chili doesn't have to be for meat eaters only. Whip up a vegetarian chili recipe instead of (or in addition to) the meaty versions above so there's something for everyone. It'll reheat perfectly and taste incredible by the bowl or as a nacho topping.
Taco Soup
Taco soup is incredibly easy to make, and it's always a hit. Whip up this slow cooker taco soup recipe a few days before, then refrigerate it directly in the crock. Start reheating it on low in the early afternoon on game day. Set out fun garnishes like tortilla chips, sliced green onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream so guests can fill their bowls with goodness any time they get hungry.
Super Bowl MVP Make-Ahead Main Courses
Soup is super (soup-er?), but it's not the only hearty make-ahead game-day main course option. Try your hand at an easy-to-make-ahead Super Bowl casserole and some other main dishes that are sure to be a hit.
Enchilada Casserole
Rather than rolling individual enchiladas, take the easy way out by making a beef enchilada casserole or chicken enchilada casserole to store in the fridge or freezer before baking on game day. Substitute cheese or beans as filling for a vegetarian casserole.
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Meatballs are a great make-ahead meal, whether you prep them way ahead and freeze or put them together a few days before you need them. This easy freezer meatballs recipe tastes great on its own or in meatball sandwiches.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
BBQ is always popular during football season, and BBQ pulled pork is easy to make ahead. Prep slow cooker pulled pork the day ahead and refrigerate. On game day, a few hours before kickoff, put the shredded meat back into the slow cooker, add barbecue sauce, and reheat on low.
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are even easier than slow cooker pulled pork. Just brown some hamburger and stir in sloppy Joe sauce (store-bought or homemade). Store in the fridge or freeze until you're ready to re heat it on the stovetop. Serve with hamburger buns.
Stay Chill Sides for Super Bowl Sunday
Looking for all-star make-ahead sides that'll make your life much easier on game day? Opt for refrigerated sides meant to be served cold. That way, you'll just need to move them from the fridge to the serving area when it's time to eat.
Black Bean & Corn Salad
Looking for a versatile side dish that's ready to serve directly from the fridge? This black bean and corn salad recipe can do double duty as a cold side dish and a salsa. It even makes a tasty topping for chili or tacos.
Freezer Slaw
With freezer slaw, you're not just saving time, you're also boosting flavor! That's because vinegar-based freezer slaw tastes better after it sits in the fridge for a few days. You can even store it in the freezer for up to six months, which means you can make it so far ahead of the Super Bowl that it will be months before you even know which teams are playing.
Pasta Salad
It doesn't get any easier than cold pasta salad. You can follow a pasta salad recipe, or just cook and drain your favorite noodles. Once they've cooled, stir in your favorite salad dressing and add some veggies and seasonings, then refrigerate.
Rice Salad
Chilled rice salad is a delightful side dish meant to be prepped ahead. There are a lot of rice salad recipes, all featuring chilled cooked white rice mixed with some kind of dressing, spices, and veggies. Some even feature diced ham or other types of meat.
Hot Side Dishes That Won't Warm the Bench
Chances are that it'll be cold outside on Super Bowl Sunday, so you'll need a few hot sides in addition to the ones that you'll serve directly from the fridge. Fortunately, there are plenty of make-ahead options.
Roasted Potatoes
Rather than trying to deal with keeping French fries fresh during the big game, use this crispy roasted potato recipe to make roasted potatoes. Once they're cooked, freeze them, then pop them in the oven on game day. No need to thaw them first. To rewarm, preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and cover with foil. Warm for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for five minutes more. You can also reliably reheat them in an air fryer.
Baked Beans
Homemade baked beans are oh, so much better than their canned counterparts. Store this baked beans recipe in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze it for even more of a head start on prepping yum for Super Bowl Sunday. To reheat, preheat your oven to 300°F. Cover the beans with foil, and heat in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is a delicious make-ahead side dish that can serve double duty as a warm dip for corn chips. Store this creamed corn recipe in the fridge for three days, or freeze it for up to three months. Reheat on the stove top on medium-high, stirring frequently, until warmed through.
Creamed Spinach Casserole
Put together this creamed spinach casserole recipe a day or two before Super Bowl Sunday and bake it before the game. It's nothing but creamy goodness that is a tasty side that people can also use as a dip for chips, crackers, or crusty bread.
Make-Ahead Munchies for Super Bowl Sunday
What's Super Bowl Sunday without some snackable apps? From chilled dips to shelf-stable snacks best enjoyed at room temperature, there are plenty of fix-ahead-and-forget appetizer options for the big game.
Cold Crab Dip
When your team makes it to the Super Bowl, that's the perfect time to splurge on some lump crab meat to make this luscious cream cheese and sour cream-based crab dip recipe. (You can also use canned crabmeat for a more budget-friendly option.) You can make it a day or two ahead of time, although it's best if you make it the morning of the big game.
Buffalo Chicken Rollups
Buffalo chicken dip isn't just for dipping! Make a batch of cold buffalo chicken dip, then spread it in a thin layer on flour tortillas. Roll the tortillas up pinwheel style and refrigerate for 24 hours. Cut the into bite-sized pieces just before serving.
Pimento Cheese Dip
Homemade pimento cheese always tastes better a few days after making it. Prep this popular spread/dip when you have time and leave it in the fridge until game day. Serve alongside crackers, carrot sticks, and cut-up celery.
Savory Party Mix
There's no need to purchase expensive pre-made party mix to watch the big game. Instead, just mix together some cereal (such as Chex Mix and/or Cheerios), pretzels, and nuts. It'll stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for a few weeks.
Delightful Make Ahead Super Bowl Desserts
Your Super Bowl spread won't be complete without at least a few sweet treats. Bake your favorite cake recipe or whip up one of the sweet treats below. They're all as sweet as the happy ending you're cheering for your team to have.
Football Frosted Cookies
Bake up a batch of your favorite sugar cookies (or use store-bought cookie dough - we won't tell!) a few days before the game, using a football cookie cutter to shape them. Add chocolate frosting and buttercream laces just before the game.
Overnight Bread Pudding
This overnight bread pudding recipe can be whipped up a day before you need it. Just prep it the night before, take it out of the fridge about an hour before the game, then put it in the oven at kickoff. You'll have a piping hot sweet treat at halftime.
Apple Crisp
Prep this make-ahead apple crisp recipe well in advance of the Super Bowl and freeze it until game day. You don't even have to thaw it before baking - just pop it in the oven frozen and in less than an hour you'll have a hot and tasty shareable dessert.
Marinated Fruit Salad
Marinated fruit salad needs to sit in the fridge overnight, so it's an ideal make-ahead dessert for Super Bowl Sunday. Make a big bowl or dish it into individual serving containers before placing it in the fridge to marinate.
Have a Flavor Filled Super Bowl
When your Super Bowl menu includes tasty selections like the make-ahead ideas above, you'll be able to get a lot of the food ready ahead of time. That'll free you up to focus on other things on game day, including making some traditional football party food selections or getting creative with even more tasty Super Bowl food ideas. No matter which team wins, everyone who watches the game at your house is in for a treat.
