POV: You’re Hosting Super Bowl and Need Easy Recipes STAT

Bonus points for DIY decor 😍

by Jessica Toscano       Feb 4, 2026

Stephen Andrews

‘Tis the Super Bowl season for themed gatherings, drool-worthy meals, and—dare we say—sexy competition between you and your office crush over the company game day pool. In fact, this most-watched football event of the year is the best excuse for throwing a party outside of the usual birthdays and holidays and offers you the chance to impress with minimal effort, thanks to easy-to-make crowd pleasers and DIY decor. 

All you need is a football field table runner, themed snacks, your team’s colors and fun games like commercial bingo or score squares, says Edward Perotti, award-winning celebrity event designer who’s headed parties for stars like Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas. The set-up won’t take long, can be made from items you probably already own, and will completely transform your gathering for a memorable night. 

Start by setting up a photo booth (the backdrop can be as simple as streamers in your team’s colors), complete with football-themed props for guests to take fun pictures. Next, create a football field runner by laying down green craft paper or faux grass onto your serving table and drawing yard lines with a white marker, says Perotti. Top it with functional decor by placing utensils in mason jars, creating food banners from scouring pads, and using red or yellow flags as dining accents. Lastly, create a tiered snack display (chips, dips, and finger foods are great starters) and serve cocktails (or mocktails for the sober curious) with football-shaped ice cubes, he recommends.

When it comes to the type of food to serve, you can’t go wrong with sporting event favorites like pizza and wings, especially when paired with its ultimate cocktail match. But if you really want to keep dishes simple and kick it up a notch, Brandon Fay, celebrity chef and owner of The Perry Club in NYC, recommends giving his game day creations a go.

Unlike their greasy counterparts, Fay's sandwich recipes are hearty, filling, just as easy to serve and equally as finger lickin' good!

Victor Cayke

1. The Game Day Giant: Crispy Chicken Caesar Sub

The six-foot Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad Tailgating Sub is what some might consider a “game-day masterpiece,” says Fay. More than just a sandwich, this “epic feast” is generously filled with piles of juicy and crispy chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and sweet plum tomatoes—all tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing. Shaved Parmesan adds a nutty, salty kick, while fresh anchovies and a final drizzle of balsamic glaze provides a perfect, tangy finish. This magnificent creation is even pre-cut into easy-to-grab mini bites, perfect for self-serving. “Warning: It's way more than a salad,” adds Fay. “It's a glorious, delicious, and messy game-day spectacle and a great centerpiece for any tailgating party.”

Ingredients:

• Store-bought, 6-foot (or any size) focaccia or a rustic, artisanal loaf-style bread 

• Crispy chicken cutlets: supermarket, pre-cooked 2-3 pounds 

• Romaine lettuce: 2-3 large heads, chopped

• Plum tomatoes: 4–5, thinly sliced

• Sunny-side-up eggs: a dozen, cooked

• Shaved Parmesan cheese (for topping)

• Creamy Caesar dressing (for spreading and tossing)

• Fresh anchovies (for layering)

• Balsamic glaze (for drizzling)

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Instructions:

1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Add butter or oil. Place crispy chicken into the pan and heat until warm.
   

2. Adding more butter or oil as necessary, crack eggs into the same pan, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 2–3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
   

3. Wash and chop the romaine lettuce and thinly slice the plum tomatoes. 
   

4. Carefully cut the 6-foot focaccia loaf in half horizontally, creating a massive top and bottom bun.
   

5. Spread a generous layer of Caesar dressing on the bottom half of the focaccia bun. Arrange the crispy chicken bites evenly across, then toss the chopped romaine lettuce with more Caesar dressing and pile it on top. Add the sliced plum tomatoes and warm sunny-side-up eggs.
   

6. Sprinkle the shaved Parmesan and lay the fresh anchovy fillets on top before drizzling with a generous amount of balsamic glaze.
   

7. Place the top half of the focaccia on the sandwich and use a large, sharp knife to cut the final product into 2-inch sections. Pierce with football skewers and serve immediately!

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2. The Gridiron Grinder
   

The ultimate showstopper: a magnificently messy sandwich that's guaranteed to earn a "touchdown!" from your guests, no matter the final score. The Gridiron Grinder packs a hearty sub filled with a scrimmage line of seasoned meatballs, smothered in a cheesy tomato sauce and topped with a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. “Just be sure to keep extra napkins on the sidelines for this all-star player,” recommends Fay.

Ingredients:

• 1 large baguette bread

• 1 package store-bought meatballs (frozen or refrigerated)

• 1 jar marinara sauce (optional, but recommended)

• 1 bag mozzarella cheese, shredded

• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a blend of dried basil and oregano)

• Salt and black pepper to taste
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
   

2. If your meatballs are frozen, warm them up by combining with marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the meatballs are heated through, about 10–15 minutes.
   

3. While the meatballs are simmering, prepare your garlic bread. Slice the baguette lengthwise. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
   

4. Brush the garlic-olive oil mixture evenly over the cut sides of the baguette. Then, place the baguette halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up, and bake for 5–7 minutes or until lightly toasted and golden.
   

5. Spoon the warm meatballs and sauce generously over the toasted baguette halves. Sprinkle with a layer of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
   

6. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
   

7. Slice the baguette into smaller, sandwich-sized portions and serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey and warm.

3. The BCLT Blitz

“These bite-sized behemoths are guaranteed to score more points than the halftime show,” says Fay. Packed with crispy bacon (the B), juicy chicken (the C), fresh lettuce (the L), and tomato (the T), they're held together with a tangy garlic sauce that’ll make you want to throw a penalty flag on anyone who takes the last one.

Ingredients:

The Sliders:

• 1 pack (12-count) King’s Hawaiian Rolls or slider buns

• 6-8 frozen breaded chicken strips or patties (e.g., at the deli counter from your favorite supermarket or from your favorite Italian deli)

• 8-10 slices Applewood smoked bacon

• 4-6 slices Swiss or provolone cheese

• 4 leaves green leaf lettuce, torn to fit

• 2 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for buns)

• 1 tsp dried parsley or chives (optional)
  

Ketchup Mayo Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup ketchup

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Optional: 1 tsp sauce (hot or Worcestershire) for extra tang
  

Tips for Success:

• Use Hawaiian Rolls: The soft, buttery, and slightly sweet rolls (like King's Hawaiian) perfectly contrast the salty and crispy bacon, holding up well when baked to create a crowd-pleasing, melty, and portable Super Bowl party snack. 
  

• Prevent Sogginess: Make sure the chicken is very crispy before assembling, and refrain from adding the lettuce until just before serving to maintain freshness.
  

• Sauce Variations: Add a dash of smoked paprika to the sauce to match the Applewood smoked bacon. Trader Joe’s has a great tangy sauce.
  

• Best Store-Bought Chicken: Look for "lightly breaded" breast fillets or strips for the best texture.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place Applewood bacon on a baking sheet and cook for 12-15 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels and cut in half.
   

2. Cook the store-bought breaded chicken tenders/filet according to package directions (air fryer or oven works best for maximum crispiness).
   

3. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, dried parsley, and garlic powder to create the herb butter. In another bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, and smoked paprika until smooth to create the sauce.
   

4. Slice the entire sheet of slider rolls in half horizontally to create a top and bottom slab. Next, place the bottom slab of rolls in a baking dish, and brush lightly with the herb butter. Toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes to prevent sogginess.
   

5. Spread a generous amount of the ketchup-mayo sauce on the bottom toasted buns, then layer it with the crispy breaded chicken, cheese pieces, and cooked bacon. Place the top bun slab over the sliders, and brush with the remaining garlic herb butter. Bake at 350°F-375°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly toasted.
   

6. Remove from the oven, carefully separate the sliders, and open them to add the fresh lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.

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Jessica Toscano

Jessica Toscano is the founder of IntrigueMag, covering health and fitness, sex and relationships, and more.

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