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20 Midwestern Super Bowl Recipes You'll Love—Even If You're Rooting Against The Chiefs

Who's bringing the chili?

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classic beef chili with sour cream and toppings
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

The Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl, much to the horror of most football fans across the country. Personally, I’m ecstatic. Not necessarily because I’m a massive Chiefs fan, but because, as a Kansas girl away from home, I’ll take any opportunity I can get to enjoy my favorite Midwest dishes and appetizers. Little smokies, chili and cinnamon rolls (yes, together…don’t knock it 'til you try it), and Kansas City-style BBQ all together on one night? That’s something to get excited for, even if the Chiefs (or football in general) are not your thing. Whether you’re a forever Chiefs fan, a Midwesterner, invested in the Taylor Swift of it all, or are just looking for some crowd-pleasing Super Bowl snacks and drinks, these recipes will make this Super Bowl one to remember, no matter the outcome.

1

Classic Chili

classic beef chili with sour cream and toppings
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Chili is a must-have at every Midwest Super Bowl, and this one is an absolute must. While many chili recipes call for simmering for at least an hour (sometimes even more), our best-ever beef chili can be made in just 40 minutes. Want to truly party the Midwest way? Serve what's on the next slide alongside your bowl.

Get the Classic Chili recipe.

2

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Listen—don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Chili and cinnamon rolls are a staple Kansas combo, and no, you don't eat the cinnamon rolls dipped into the chili. They add the perfect sweet bite alongside the hearty chili, and will be a welcome addition to your Super Bowl spread.

Get the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls recipe.

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3

Sloppy Joe Cups

sloppy joe cups
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Looking for another easy appetizer to bring to your Super Bowl celebration? These sloppy Joe cups are it. Store-bought crescent dough is stuffed with our sloppy Joe recipe before being covered in melty cheese—what more could you want?

Get the Sloppy Joe Cups recipe.

4

Tater Tot Casserole

tater tot casserole with ground beef, corn, and cheddar cheese
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Midwesterner or not, this tater tot casserole will become a game day (or weeknight) staple in your home because it’s easy and reliable. Sure, it sounds ideal for the kiddos, but your inner child will be scooping seconds.

Get the Tater Tot Casserole recipe.

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5

Homemade BBQ Sauce

bbq sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: LIBERTY FENNELL

BBQ sauce has plenty of variations, but this Kansas City-style recipe just might be the best. It's thick, slightly sweet, and perfectly tangy. Make it and store it, then use in all your favorite BBQ recipes, or serve on the side with your Super bowl spread.

Get the Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe.

6

Rotel Dip

rotel dip with tortilla chips
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

You only need 4 ingredients to make this cheesy dip—ground beef, Rotel tomatoes (with the chopped green chiles), Velveeta, and chili powder. It comes together all in one pot too, meaning less dishes!

Get the Rotel Dip recipe.

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7

Hawaiian Roll Sliders

sliders stacked with sliced ham, swiss cheese, honey mustard, caramelized onions all between hawaiian rolls topped with a poppy seed dressing
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Sliders are always a guaranteed hit on game day, but these ones are the crème de la crème. Ham, Swiss, and jammy caramelized onions are layered between the star of the show: buttery and soft Hawaiian rolls.

Get the Hawaiian Roll Sliders recipe.

8

Layered Ombre Lemonade Drops

spiked ombre lemonade
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

These take the idea behind classic faves like frozen margaritas and strawberry daiquiris to the next level with colorful, bright layers that just so happen to represent your favorite Kansas City team.

Get the Layered Ombre Lemonade Drops recipe.

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9

Slow-Cooker Ribs

cajun spice rubbed baby back ribs, slow cooked in barbecue sauce until fork tender
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Just because you don’t have a smoker doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy and share a tender, well-seasoned rack of ribs. The prep is simple: Rub them with your favorite dry rub, load them into the slow cooker, smother them with BBQ sauce (Kansas City-style, of course), and cook them completely hands-free until they’re falling off the bone.

Get the Slow-Cooker Ribs recipe.

10

7-Layer Dip

layered dip with refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, tomatoes black olives, and lettuce in a clear dish
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This truly has everything we could ever want in a dip: refried beans, homemade guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cheese (😍) all topped with fresh veggies for an added crunch. You'll never buy the store-bought version again after trying this homemade recipe.

Get the Best-Ever 7-Layer Dip recipe.

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11

Slow-Cooker Bourbon Smokies

slow cooker bourbon smokies

They might not look like much, but lil smokies are the appetizer served at every party in my Kansas household. Cooked in a slow cooker along with sweet bourbon sauce, these bites are the perfect alternative if you're tired of pigs in a blanket.

Get the Slow-Cooker Bourbon Smokies recipe.

12

Pulled Pork

pulled pork in bbq sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Everyone needs a pulled pork recipe to keep in their back pocket for game day, and this one will always be our go-to. Extremely tender with a sweet-yet-tangy Kansas City-style homemade BBQ sauce, this pulled pork feels like an extra-special treat.

Get the Pulled Pork recipe.

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13

Funeral Potatoes

creamy cheesy potatoes with a buttery cornflake topping
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Don't be fooled by the name—the only thing deathly about this casserole is how absolutely delicious it is. This cheesy, creamy casserole is originally a Mormon dish, but has now become a staple at practically every occasion in my Kansas household.

Get the Funeral Potatoes recipe.

14

Spiked 3-Peat Palmer

glass with lemonade on the bottom and iced tea on the top with crushed ice, a lemon squeeze and mint
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

In honor of the Kansas City Chiefs' potential to three-peat, we're re-imagining our spiked Arnold Palmer as the 3-peat Palmer. This spiked drink is a refreshing cocktail all year long, but works especially well on game day.

Get the Spiked Arnold Palmer recipe.

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15

Pigs In A Blanket

pigs in a blanket with a mustard dippings sauce
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough both should work here too.

Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.

16

Puppy Chow

chex mix tossed in peanut butter and powdered sugar
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Whatever you call it—puppy chow, muddy buddies—one thing is for certain: This creation is one of the easiest, most satisfying party favors. With only a handful of ingredients, this peanut butter-chocolate dessert comes together in under 20 minutes, making it the easiest dessert or party snack.

Get the Puppy Chow recipe.

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17

Kansas City Chiefs Jell-O Shots

kansas city chiefs jello shots
Erica Pitera

What better way to celebrate the Super Bowl than with a themed Jell-O shot? We love our football Jell-O shots, but this year, we're breaking out the layers for the Chiefs.

Get the Kansas City Chiefs Jell-O Shots recipe.

18

Instant Pot Potato Soup

instant pot potato soup
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you love a loaded baked potato brimming with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives, then you'll go crazy for this easy soup recipe. The best part? This recipe is made in the Instant Pot, so you can enjoy peak cozy vibes in under an hour.

Get the Instant Pot Potato Soup recipe.

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19

Buffalo Chicken Dip

buffalo chicken dip in a skillet with celery and carrots beside and a tortilla chip dipping in
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We're always looking for more ways to enjoy Buffalo sauce, but when serving a party, this Buffalo chicken dip just might be our favorite version of the classic party appetizer. No matter where you're hosting the Super Bowl, this app is a must. The best part? It only requires 10 minutes of prep time!

Get the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.

20

Gold Rush Cocktail

gold rush cocktail
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

If your Chiefs party is more like a Taylor Swift Super Bowl party (no judgement here), then a Gold Rush is a must-make. It's the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, with just a few changes. It calls for honey instead of simple syrup, and doesn't call for any egg whites (so it's even easier to whip up).

Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe.

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