This weekend, the Baltimore Ravens will take on the San Francisco 49ers in the biggest game of the year, Super Bowl XLVII. More importantly, at least to me, Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child will be performing during the half-time show. Those girls will always be fabulous role models.
But let’s face it; the Super Bowl is not just about the game. It’s another excuse to get together with friends and eat so many wings, chips, dips, burgers and hot dogs that you won’t be able to stand up from the couch. Even though it’s all so delicious, it’s also really heavy on the calories, which will make you regret even taking one bite. According to the Snack Food Association, the average daily consumption of snacks during the Super Bowl doubles with Americans consuming more than 33 million pounds of snacks in one day. That’s a lot of munchies.
This year, pass on the junk food and try some of these healthy Super Bowl recipe alternatives from fellow JMU Dukes. These recipes will leave your taste buds satisfied and stomach feeling guilt-free!
1. Chicken Tortilla Soup
I’m pretty sure that at every football party there are nachos, quesadillas or that oh so delicious seven-layer taco dip. This year, mix it up and try something different and healthy, like this chicken tortilla soup. This recipe, submitted by Michelle Heard, can double as soup or dip served with chips! Top with cheese or Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream) and serve hot.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chicken broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can whole kernel corn
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 3-4 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
Directions:
Put all ingredients in a pot on medium heat and bring to a boil. It’s that simple!
2. Buffalo Chicken Dip
This recipe, submitted by Angela Scibilia, is “quick, easy to make, and is always a big hit at parties!” This dip has all the flavor of Buffalo wings without the heavy calorie load! Try dipping veggies, like carrots and peppers, or opt for some baked tortilla chips.
Ingredients:
- 2 (10-oz.) cans chicken breasts
- 1 (8-oz.) package fat free cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup fat-free ranch dressing
- ¼ cup fat-free Greek yogurt (try Fage 0 percent yogurt!)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place cream cheese in a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Mix in Frank’s RedHot, mozzarella cheese, ranch dressing and yogurt. Stir in chicken until thoroughly combined. Spoon mixture evenly into a deep 8-inch-by-8-inch baking dish.
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes!
3. Honey-Chipotle Turkey Meatballs
Meatballs are a great party food. You can create your own by spicing them a million ways and letting them simmer in wonderful sauces. This recipe, submitted by Melanie Markham, is one of her favorite ways to serve meatballs because it has that chipotle kick!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
- ½ yellow onion, diced small
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 to 2 tbsp chopped chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
- 2 tsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, mix together turkey, onion, garlic, salt and ground pepper until combined (don’t over mix!). Form into 16 meatballs. In a small bowl, stir together honey, chilies, and vinegar.
- In a large ovenproof skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven, pour honey mixture over meatballs, and swirl skillet to coat. Bake until liquid is reduced and meatballs are glazed, 5 minutes, swirling halfway through.
4. Pepperoni and Cheese Roll-Ups
Pepperoni pizza, actually just pizza in general, is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. However, even just one slice can add up to almost 300 calories. This recipe, submitted by Carolyn Chastka, is a perfect alternative to normal, greasy pizza. It is a great finger food and would serve nicely with some marinara sauce!
Ingredients:
- 1 16-oz. package whole wheat pizza dough
- 1 6-oz. package Hormel turkey pepperoni
- 8 sticks light sting cheese, cut in half
- 2 tbsp light butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasonings
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and lightly mist with non-fat cooking spray.
- Lightly dust a flat surface with flour, and roll out pizza dough into a rectangle, about ¼-inch thick.
- Cut out 16 triangles, about 3-inches and 6-inches long.
- Place three slices of pepperoni on the bottom, wide end of each triangle. Place a cheese stick half on top of the pepperoni. Roll up and place 2-inches apart on baking sheet, seam side down.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, melt butter and stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Brush each pepperoni cheese stick roll-up with the melted butter. Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing to dip.
5. Triple Chocolate Nutella Fudge
I know I usually don’t make it to the dessert round at Super Bowl parties, but there are those champions out there. This recipe, submitted by Brittany McMahon, has no added sugar and tastes “divine.” I mean, who can resist Nutella? I’ll tell you who, no one! This fudge recipe literally takes 5 minutes to prep, so definitely put it on the menu!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup coconut butter, melted
- ¼ cup Nutella
- 1-2 tsp cocoa powder or cacao powder
- ¼ of a large banana
- A pinch of salt
- Sweetener, if desired
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
- After blending, taste to see if you want to add sweetener. Scoop into a container and put it in the fridge or freezer so it firms up.
- If desired, top with chocolate chips and more Nutella.