As I was sitting watching the Super Bowl, I was thinking that the Super Bowl was not just a football extravaganza. It’s a celebration of camaraderie, competition, and of course, mouthwatering snacks.
Depends on who you are asking, but the food is the best part. No hesitation is needed.
Growing up, I learned that when you are hosting a Super Bowl party, having an arsenal of delicious yet easy-to-make appetizers and snacks is essential. But one standout dish that never fails to impress are my Super Bowl Meatballs.
The best part about this? It only requires three ingredients and a crockpot. What are they you ask? Frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce. This is a sure way for your guests to be coming back for more of that wonderful taste explosion.
One of my favorite parts of this recipe is how quickly it comes together and how cheap it is. Everything costs less than $10, and it comes together in one minute.
Here is the famous trio for these Super Bowl Meatballs:
- Frozen Meatballs
Now, I always prefer doing frozen meatballs because making your own sometimes didn’t always work out for me. The last time that I made my own meatballs, the meat completely fell apart. The only way that I can see making these meatballs homemade is if you freeze them prior.
But at that point, all your ingredients and efforts over exceed the time of picking up a frozen bag of meatballs in the frozen section of your grocery store. Another thing that I have noticed is how the frozen meatballs absorb more flavor, almost like a culinary sponge! But not only do they save you the hassle of preparing meat from scratch, they also cook quickly, making them an ideal choice for game day.
One tip I always tell people when sharing this recipe is to opt for smaller meatballs. This ensures that they are easily poppable and provide the perfect, one-bit wonder for your guests.
2. Grape Jelly
Now, when I first heard that grape jelly was a key ingredient, I definitely was raising my eyebrows! We think of jelly as a sweet side, but to use it in a savory dish was a whole other story!
After making it, I then realized why this ingredient was so necessary. The addition of grape jelly creates a glaze that is both sticky and rich. It also brings a sweet and fruity note to the meatballs, which makes it the perfect combo with the meat and chili sauce!
One tip that I do prefer doing with this recipe is finding high-quality grape jelly without preservatives. I feel it brings more of a true and authentic flavor to the meatballs, but this time, I did the off-brand version and it was very doable as well. This is just something that I have noticed overtime.
3. Chili Sauce
Growing up, I have never seen my mother use this stuff in the kitchen. But looking at the ingredients list of what is inside the chili sauce, I now understand why it’s needed! It has tomatoes, sugar, and chili peppers. I feel this adds the perfect touch of spice that this recipe needs.
I am sure there are other replacements you could use instead of chili sauce, but I find it to be the perfect counterbalance of sweetness from the grape jelly and chili sauce. It feels like a marriage coming together of sweet and spicy!
Although it is not a tip, you could alter this recipe by choosing different versions of chili sauce. I always go for the milder sauce since I make this for when guests are over, but I know my husband would love a hotter chili sauce if it’s just the two of us.
Step by Step:
Now that I’ve introduced the three key ingredients for this recipe, let’s dive into the simple process of creating these Super Bowl Meatballs that will truly steal the show of your guests.
- Prepare Your Crockpot
For this, I got my crockpot sprayed and ready for cooking. In this step, you can prepare a liner, but I just spray cooking oil and call it good. At this step, I put the crockpot on either high or low. (High for 2 hours or low for 4 hours)
2. Grab Your Meatballs
Place your meatballs, however you did them, into the crockpot. Make sure they aren’t stacked up on top of each other. (It’s okay to have a few, but if there is room, try to place them side by side.)
3. Pour in Your Jelly and Chili Sauce
When your meatballs are placed to how you need them, pour both the grape jelly and chili sauce on top of the meatballs. When done, grab a spoon or spatula to evenly spread the glaze over each individual meatball. (I never miss this step as you want that glaze over each meatball!)
4. Cook and Serve!
Let your crockpot do its thing! I try not to open it or release the steam unless I truly need to stir the glaze. Once done, I place it on a plate with toothpicks, and voila! You are done and ready to eat them!
Ingredients:
- 32 oz bag of frozen meatballs (or your own!)
- 20 ounces of Grape Jelly (Welch’s is great for this)
- 12 ounces Chili Sauce (Heinz makes the best sauce)
Feel free to tweak the ratio of grape jelly and chili sauce! If you want more of a tangy flavor, add more chili sauce. If you do not want a lot of heat, add less chili sauce! The same with the jelly.
There is a huge realm of Super Bowl snacks one could make for the special day, but this three-ingredient wonder trumps everything else in my opinion. I have never met someone who doesn’t like biting into a juicy meatball while watching their favorite team!
The reason why I love this recipe so much is how simple it is. It blows my mind that three simple ingredients can come together to make something mind-blowing. It truly is a perfect trio, and I do not plan on changing it soon.
Whether you are a seasoned host or looking for a last-minute appetizer, do not overlook this recipe. It is a foolproof recipe to elevate your game and show off to your friends without breaking the bank.
As always, let me know if you create this simple masterpiece! I would love to see your results or what you do differently.
The Maddie Dish 