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27 New Orleans-Inspired Recipes To Make You Feel Like You're At Super Bowl LIX

Let the good times bowl.

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smoked gouda grits, breaded and fried until crispy then topped with cajun seasoned shrimp and creamy remoulade sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Close your eyes, and imagine for a moment that you’re a billionaire (I’m talking Taylor Swift-level, why not dream big?), and can travel wherever you want to go, and attend whatever big ticket event you want. Where are you going first, and why is it Super Bowl LIX? Just kidding, I know already! It’s for the FOOD. This year’s Super Bowl takes place at Caesar’s Superdome in Louisiana, the birthplace of some of the best food in the world. Not only do the options at the Superdome stand out among your average stadium fare, but you’ve also got the most amazing melting pot of French, Caribbean, Italian, and more cuisines right outside the parking lot.

Okay, okay, reality check. You’re (probably?!) not actually a billionaire, but you CAN relieve a little bit of that Super Bowl FOMO, right at home. I’ve rounded up some of our best New Orleans-inspired game day foods so you can let the good times bowl, no matter where you live or who wins or loses.

When it comes to game day fare, you really can’t go wrong with bites or dips, and we’ve got a number of great ones here, including our shrimp & grits bites, our hot crab dip, our pimento cheese-stuffed mini peppers, or our hoagie dip. Serving a bigger crowd, and need more hearty options? Lean on classics like sandwiches or stews, but with a little New Orleans flair—try our classic muffuletta or our shrimp po’ boy burgers (hot tip: turn them into sliders!), or make a big batch of jambalaya, Southern baked mac & cheese, or Louisiana-style red beans & rice.

You could also take a note from the Superdome stadium eats, and make a beef brisket sandwich, some chicken fried shrimp, a Cajun-inspired pasta (like our smoked sausage Cajun Alfredo), fried chicken strips, or a frozen daiquiri. Speaking of daiquiris, if you want even more inspiration, check out our Mardi Gras roundups of cocktails, apps, and desserts for even more New Orleans-inspired ideas.

1

Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers

mini red and yellow peppers stuffed with pimento cheese and baked
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Pimento cheese is infinitely better when it’s served warm, and a small pepper becomes the perfect vessel for it in this recipe. These are a really good vegetarian alternative to our bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, so everyone can enjoy them at your game day or party spread.

Get the Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers recipe.

2

Jambalaya

jambalaya with shrimp, chicken, and sausage in a skillet
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Spicy, hearty, and incredibly flavorful, jambalaya is a New Orleans classic for good reason. Its complex flavor is informed by cuisines from around the world—Spanish, West African, and French to name a few. Our recipe combines three proteins and vegetable-packed rice for a flavor-packed dish that will keep you warm if you're not in the South this game day.

Get the Jambalaya recipe.

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3

Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites

smoked gouda grits, breaded and fried until crispy then topped with cajun seasoned shrimp and creamy remoulade sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Shrimp & grits are a Southern staple for good reason: the combination of creamy grits and spiced juicy shrimp in a holy trinity-spiked sauce is a match made in heaven. You can eat it for nearly every meal... including as a game day appetizer, thanks to these adorable bites.

Get the Cheesy Shrimp & Grit Bites recipe.

4

Shrimp Po' Boy Burgers

shrimp po boy burger
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Our shrimp po' boy-inspired burger is a twist on the classic Louisiana sandwiches, pairing cornmeal-crusted shrimp burgers with a tangy, homemade remoulade sauce. The combination of juicy shrimp and Creole seasoning will transport your taste buds straight to New Orleans. Hot tip: make 'em mini and serve them as sliders for game day!

Get the Shrimp Po' Boy Burgers recipe.

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5

Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels

mussels stuffed with cornbread and spanish chorizo
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

These mussels will make you rethink if stuffed mushrooms are the only stuffed appetizer you should be making this year. Make your own cornbread or use store-bought—these are so good, no one will mind either way.

Get the Cornbread-Stuffed Mussels recipe.

6

Muffuletta Pizza

thin crisp pizza topped with olive salad, salami, provolone, and parmesan
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This pizza has the same components as its namesake muffuletta sandwich (with a chewy-crisp crust standing in for the sesame roll!) but is arguably even simpler to make, portion, and serve to a big crowd. Make it for a casual dinner OR a Mardi Gras bash, and watch everyone freak out.

Get the Muffuletta Pizza recipe.

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7

Crispy Fried Chicken

crispy fried chicken with a pinch of flaky salt
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

To complete the journey to fried chicken nirvana, we went through 5 whole chickens, 3 gallons of peanut oil, and over 20 iterations of the recipe. The final result is a simple formula: a seasoned buttermilk brine + a dip in batter + a shake in flour + a dunk into a pot of hot oil = the only fried chicken recipe you'll ever need.

Get the Crispy Fried Chicken recipe.

8

Hush Puppies

hush puppies
ETHAN CALABRESE

Hush puppies—or fried balls of savory cornmeal batter—are a welcome addition to any seafood spread or fried food feast. These golden, crispy bites are so easy to make, they're the perfect last-minute appetizer for all your game day festivities.

Get the Hush Puppies recipe.

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9

Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo

cajun flavored alfredo with penne tossed with smoked sausage
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This dish expands on what we all love about fettuccine Alfredo, amping it up with the punchy spices and andouille sausage commonly found in Cajun cuisine. If your crowd loves gumbo and jambalaya, this is the recipe you should bring to share this Super Bowl.

Get the Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo recipe.

10

Southern Fried Oysters

southern fried oysters
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Long before the creation of fried oysters, oysters were considered a poor man’s food because they were so abundant in the waters off the East Coast of the United States. They were first breaded and fried in the Western Hemisphere in the mid-19th century and have since been upgraded with a crispy, crunchy cracker crust. TMYK!

Get the Southern Fried Oysters recipe.

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11

Southern Baked Mac & Cheese

baked mac and cheese in a casserole dish
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This isn't your average mac & cheese. Chef Millie Peartree puts an entire layer of pure cheese in between two layers of (already cheesy) macaroni. Game. Changer. Your Super Bowl guests will flip.

Get the Southern Baked Mac & Cheese recipe.

12

Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil

baby potatoes, sweet corn, spicy sausage, and lemons swimming in a flavorful broth with juicy shrimp tossed in plenty of old bay seasoning
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A shrimp boil is a wonderful thing, but not always to easiest to achieve in February. The solution is simple: Throw those same ingredients into the slow cooker and let the machine do the work. This is the kind of hands-off meal that makes game day entertaining a breeze.

Get the Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil recipe.

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13

Deviled Eggs

deviled eggs piped in a star shape with paprika and chives
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A classic appetizer, deviled eggs bring the party to any event. While they’re fairly simple to make, there are a few ways things can go wrong. If you’re looking for a foolproof method for hard-boiling and filling your deviled eggs, this recipe should be your new go-to.

Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.

14

Hot Crab Dip

hot crab dip in a cast iron skillet served with crackers
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Okay, we'll say it: Hot crab dip belongs in the party dip hall of fame. Packed with melty cheese and sweet, tender crab meat, this rich dip may seem extra-fancy, but it's so easy to whip up. It's the perfect last-minute app to throw together with minimal effort and is best served hot straight out of the oven!

Get the Hot Crab Dip recipe.

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15

Bourbon Balls

bourbon balls
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER

If you’re looking for a boozy treat to get your New Orleans-themed Super Bowl party started, these little bites are calling your name. Made with finely chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and of course, bourbon, these no-bake cookie truffles highlight the flavor of the bourbon while taming its typical burn.

Get the Bourbon Balls recipe.

16

Pulled Pork

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

If you're looking for the best pulled pork recipe to keep in your back pocket—this is it. Sandwiched between a soft potato bun, piled on top of a baked potato, or even eaten on its own, pulled pork is the versatile must-make dish for any game

Get the Pulled Pork recipe.

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17

Remoulade Sauce

remoulade sauce
PHOTO: ANDREA MONZO; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Now synonymous with Cajun and Creole food, remoulade is a cold sauce with French origins that can be used to add flavor to anything from fried foods to your favorite sandwich. Always creamy, tangy, and spicy with a hint of sweetness, this sauce is guaranteed to become a fast favorite.

Get the Remoulade Sauce recipe.

18

Muffuletta

slice of muffuletta
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

The muffuletta was first served at Central Grocery, an Italian deli in Louisiana. Sicilian farmers would stop by the deli in between shifts at the French Market and juggle plates of olives, salumi, and cheese for lunch. To make it easier to eat, the owner decided to slap all the ingredients between two pieces of bread, and the muffuletta was born. The more you know!

Get the Muffuletta recipe.

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19

Pimento Cheese

shredded cheese and diced peppers spread in a bowl topped with chives
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

Affectionately known as the “caviar of the South,” pimento cheese has been a Southern party staple since the early 1900s. This soft, creamy spread—loaded with shredded cheddar and spiked with diced pimento peppers and hot sauce—can be served hot or cold and is perfect for spreading on anything from crackers to celery.

Get the Pimento Cheese recipe.

20

Fried Chicken Strips

fried chicken strips served with ketchup and ranch
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

While we understand relying on frozen chicken or takeout, there’s something extra special about making chicken strips homemade. Make some homemade fries to go along with these strips and serve with ranch dressing, honey mustard, or ketchup (or Chick-fil-A sauce, anyone?), and you’ve got an upgraded classic on your hands that everyone will get excited about.

Get the Fried Chicken Strips recipe.

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