Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

The Super Bowl has become a national holiday in the United States. As with most holidays, we love to surround ourselves with good friends and good food!

So for those of you looking for ideas on what to bring to your Super Bowl Party this weekend, check out the list of recipes I've put together below. These will include lower calorie, higher protein options that still satisfy those cravings but allow you to enjoy the day without so much guilt!

Cooper's "Gator Dip"

• Fill the baking sheet or shallow dish with Light Sour Cream

• Sprinkle garlic powder

• Spread one jar of medium or hot salsa (drained)

• Sprinkle with 2 cups of finely shredded Fat Free cheddar cheese

• Sprinkle with 4 diced scallions

• Finish with one pint of quartered grape tomatoes

Cover with saran wrap and keep refrigerated. Serve cold with tortilla chips

Note: Make one to bring to the party and one for you to enjoy because this goes fast!!

Healthier Beef Nachos

What you'll need: 9 extra thin corn tortillas (Mission), 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp lime juice, paprika, chili powder, chipotle pepper powder, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper (optional), 1lb lean ground beef, 10oz reduced fat pork sausage, shredded fat free cheddar

To make the chips:

• Preheat oven to 400F

• Line baking sheet with parchment paper/non-stick cooking spray

• Stack tortillas and cut them into 6 triangles with a pizza cutter. Spread them on the baking sheet

• Sprinkle salt and lime juice on top

• Bake for 6 minutes or until golden brown

While chips are baking

• Mix paprika, chili powder, chipotle pepper powder, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin and cayenne pepper (optional) together

• Add ground beef and sausage to a large skillet over medium-high heat while mixing in the seasoning

• Cook until no pink remains

After chips are baked

• Move 1/3 of the chips to a baking dish

• Add 1/3 cup of cheddar and 1/3 cup of cooked meat

• Repeat until you have three layers

• Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted

Alternative: Add to one large baking sheet and cover with toppings

Lower Carb Mac & Cheese

What you'll need:

Ranch Chicken: 1lb Boneless skinless chicken tenderloins/breast, 1tbsp olive oil, 1/2 Ranch dip seasoning, 1tsp chili powder

Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese: 1 Box Banza pasta shells (or 2 boxes Barilla Ready Pasta Elbows), 1.5C Fat Free shredded cheddar, 1/4c light butter, 1C fat free plain Greek yogurt, 6 slices Bacon

Crispy Topping: 2tsbp Light butter & 2C Corn Flakes

• Preheat oven to 400F

• Boil one large pot of water

• Cut chicken into bite size pieces and add to a bowl with 1tsp olive oil, half a packet of ranch seasoning and chili powder

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken for 5 minutes, flip once they have a crispy bottom layer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes

• Once chicken is fully cooked, add the cheese sauce ingredients to the skillet and stir until the cheese melts

• After mixing evenly, stir in the cooked pasta

• Microwave remaining 2tsp butter for 10 seconds before mixing with the Corn Flakes. Fold the melted butter into the cereal and top the Mac & Cheese mixter

• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the topping is golden brown

Instant Pot Sloppy Joe's

What You'll Need: 2lb Lean Ground Beef, Turkey or Chicken (96/4), 2tsbp Minced garlic, 1/4C white onion, 1/8tsp salt & pepper, reduced sugar ketchup, 1/4C mustard, 2tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4C SF maple syrup, 1tsp chili powder, 1/2tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Set instant pot to saute function and wait for the "Hot" notification

• Spray the pot with nonstick cooking spray before adding the minced garlic, onion, salt/pepper, and ground meat

• While the meat cookies, mix the ketchup, mustard, vinegar, syrup, chili powder & cayenne in a separate bowl

• After the meat has browned, add the sauce on top

• Leave the sauce and close the Instant Pot, cook for 10 minutes

• Fold the sauce into the meat, mixing well. It will lose its thickness and begin to blend.

Serve on a bun or roasted vegetables for best taste!

Have any favorite recipes you'd like to see with lower calorie options?

Feel free to send them my way and I'll do a future post featuring your requests!