21 Make-Ahead Super Bowl Food Ideas to Simplify Your Party

When you don't want to miss a moment of the big game (including the commercials) but you want amazing food, the best way to stay out of the kitchen and in front of the TV is with make-ahead foods. With these delicious make-ahead Super Bowl food ideas, you won't miss even a second of the game unless you're busy looking down at your plate or headed to the kitchen for seconds.

If you've ever made chili and noticed that the leftovers tasted even better than the day you made it, then you've discovered the magic of making chili ahead of time. So make your pot the day before, give it a day to mellow in the fridge, and then reheat it on the stove in time for the big game. It's super satisfying, and it goes perfectly with football. We love this beef and bean chili by Epicurioius — whether you make it by the bowlful or scoop it over tortilla chips and add cheese to make nachos.

We love this poultry-filled twist on regular chili. It's deeply satisfying, lightly spicy, and so cozy and comforting. Tastes Better from Scratch's white chicken chili recipe will fill your belly with cozy deliciousness during the Super Bowl, and it'll keep in the fridge for a few days so you can make it a day or two before. 

Not into meat? We totally get it! This vegetarian chili recipe from allrecipes is super satisfying, and it'll keep in the fridge for a few days, so there's no need to cook on Super Bowl Sunday unless you want to.

Spend 30 minutes Sunday morning putting ingredients into the slow cooker, and your house is going to smell amazing all day. By the time the game rolls around, everybody will be ready for huge bowls of this tasty slow cooker taco soup from allrecipes. It may be quick and easy, but boy is it good — and ready anytime everyone is hungry during the game.

Related: 18 Crowd-Pleasing Super Bowl Potluck Foods That'll Get All the Cheers

Casseroles are always crowd-pleasers, and when you give them a little Mexican flare, their cheesy, spicy goodness will make everyone cheer. You can construct a casserole ahead of time and then pop it into the oven just before the game begins for a hot meal that's ready by halftime. Try this beef enchilada casserole by Simple Joy or this chicken enchilada casserole by Gimme Some Oven. Whether you make them of the morning of or make them days before and freeze them, they'll be ready to go. 

Eat 'em from a bowl or put out some hoagie rolls and a few toppings like shredded cheese and chopped pepperoncini so everyone can make their own sandwich. No recipe needed for this — head to the frozen aisle for a bag of meatballs and then stick them in the slow cooker on low with your fave jarred pasta sauce. Easy peasy. 

Related: 6 Crockpot Meatball Recipes to Make for Supper Tonight

This is another one that doesn't really need a recipe. Just pop a pork shoulder in the slow cooker with about a half cup of apple cider vinegar and a quarter cup of dark brown sugar. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, then shred the pork. Drain the liquid and return the meat to the slow cooker with your favorite BBQ sauce, and set it on keep warm until the big game.

All you need here is some ground beef, cooked and crumbled, a few cans of sloppy Joe sauce, and some buns. Make it ahead of time and then warm it up in the slow cooker just before the game. Hold it on keep warm, and people can serve themselves as needed. We love ours topped with a spicy slaw. 

With freezer slaw, you're not just saving time — you're also boosting flavor! That's because vinegar-based freezer slaw from allrecipes tastes better after it sits in the fridge for a few days. You can even store it in the freezer for up to six months, which means you can make it so far ahead of the Super Bowl that it will be months before you even know which teams are playing.

This tasty Southwestern salad almost demands you make it ahead of time and let all the flavors mingle in the fridge for a day or two. Dinner at the Zoo's black bean and corn salad will keep in the fridge for up to five days, as long as you wait until the last minute to add the avocado, so you can make it well ahead of the game.

The Kitchn's pasta salad recipe is something you can make a day or two ahead of time and serve chilled, and it will be a super satisfying and tasty side. Don't want to work that hard? Boil up some pasta and drain and chill it. Toss it with your fave bottle of Italian salad dressing and some chopped jarred roasted red bell peppers, chopped marinated artichoke hearts, and some diced red onion for a fast, easy, and yummy make-ahead salad that will hold for up to three days in the fridge.

Rice is always nice, even a few days after you've made it. And like many of the foods on this list, one of these rice salads from allrecipes actually gets better with a few days of age under its belt. It's a super colorful and tasty side that'll make everyone cheer.

We have two totally satisfying baked potato casserole recipes that'll keep everyone coming back for seconds. Prepare it a day or two ahead of time and then reheat it in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 30-45 minutes.

Baked beans are always a crowd-pleaser, and they're the perfect side for pulled pork! Bake up a batch of Tastes Better from Scratch's super satisfying baked beans and reheat them on game day. 

What's creamy, slightly sweet, and super satisfying? Creamed corn! It's a delicious make-ahead side dish that can serve double duty as a warm dip for corn chips. Store this creamed corn recipe from Simply Recipes in the fridge for three days, or freeze it for up to three months. Reheat on the stovetop on medium-high, stirring frequently, until warmed through.

When your team makes it to the Super Bowl, that's the perfect time to splurge on some lump crab meat to make this luscious cream cheese and sour cream-based crab dip recipe from Wholesome Yum. You can also use canned crabmeat for a more budget-friendly option. You could make it a day or two ahead of time, although it's best if you make it the morning of the big game.

Buffalo chicken dip isn't just for dipping! Make a batch of cold buffalo chicken dip from cook2eatwell, then spread it in a thin layer on flour tortillas. Roll the tortillas up pinwheel style and refrigerate for 24 hours. Cut into bite-sized pieces just before serving.

This homemade pimento cheese from Taste of Home always tastes better a few days after making it. Prep this popular spread/dip when you have time and leave it in the fridge until game day. Serve alongside crackers, carrot sticks, and cut-up celery.

There's no need to purchase expensive pre-made party mix to watch the big game. Instead, just mix together some cereal (such as Chex Mix and/or Cheerios), pretzels, and nuts. It'll stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for a few weeks.

Bake up a batch of your favorite sugar cookies (or use store-bought cookie dough — we won't tell!) a few days before the game, using a football cookie cutter to shape them. Add chocolate frosting and buttercream laces just before the game.

Prep this make-ahead apple crisp recipe from Food Network well in advance of the Super Bowl and freeze it until game day. You don't even have to thaw it before baking — just pop it in the oven frozen, and in less than an hour, you'll have a hot and tasty shareable dessert to serve with vanilla ice cream.

Don't chain yourself to the kitchen during the big game. Instead, cheer alongside your friends and family and let them help themselves to the tasty foods you made ahead.