Countdown to the Big Game: Hearty Mains for Half-Time

Your game-day party simply cannot survive on apps alone.
Food Network Kitchen's Cheeseburger Pizza for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network

FNK_CheeseburgerPizza_H

Food Network Kitchen's Cheeseburger Pizza for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Appetizers, chips and beer don't have to the be only stars of your Super Bowl party spread. Skipping the main dish seems tempting, but seriously — an hours-long party cannot survive on dip alone. By the time the second quarter ends, your guests will start nosing around for a dish that's a little more hearty. Add one of these savory mains to your buffet this year.

Mash-up dishes are all the rage right now, but our cheeseburger-meets-pizza dish isn't gimmicky — it's just majorly delicious.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Start this dish in the morning (it only requires 10 minutes to prep) and you'll have tender, saucy chicken ready by the time some fans in the room might be craving a little comfort.

Food Network Kitchen's Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network

FNK_BaconWrappedChickenBreasts_H

Food Network Kitchen's Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©© 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, © 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Bacon is always a shoo-in for MVP on game day, but Food Network Kitchen doubled-down on this dinner's umami flavor stuffing it with a cheesy, garlicky filling, too.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

A big pot of chili is a no-brainer for a big group, and Rachael Ray's recipe is super flavorful thanks to chili powder, grill seasoning, cumin, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Make it ahead of time (chili keeps well in the freezer) and you'll feel like a superhero host.

Food Network Kitchen’s Extra Crunchy Mac And Cheese for Better In A Sheet Pan, as seen on Food Network

Food Network Kitchen’s Extra Crunchy Mac And Cheese for Better In A Sheet Pan, as seen on Food Network

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Don't incite a rowdy crowd by asking them to fight over the crusty part of this deeply cheesy dish. Every bite has crunch (and you can make quite the big batch) when you prepare mac and cheese in a sheet pan instead of a casserole dish.

Food Network Kitchen's Beef Sliders for a Crowd For Food Network

Food Network Kitchen's Beef Sliders for a Crowd For Food Network

Photo by: Alice Gao ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Flipping burgers for a group is a fool's errand at a Super Bowl party — the host is stuck in the kitchen (or shivering near the grill on the patio!) monitoring everyone's dinner. Here's where our trusty sheet pan comes in handy once again. Spread ground beef out on a baking sheet, score it into slider-sized squares, and in 10 minutes you've got 24 burgers ready to serve all at once.

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