Cheese makes your game-day table a champion

A legendary Super Bowl party always starts with a solid game plan.

While some are interested in the action on the field, others are there for the commercial breaks. Your snack table is the glue that brings everyone together as a team.

A winning spread is always crucial to a great game-day party, so make sure to have plenty of wholesome cheese as part of the lineup. It’s always a crowd favorite. Fans across the country will eat more than 20 million pounds of cheese during the big game, according to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

Here are some sure-fire recipes that will fuel the festivities from kickoff through the final whistle:

Delicious cheese dip: A football gathering isn’t complete without nachos. Skip the jars and cans. A creamy, homemade cheese dip featuring sharp cheddar tastes great and it’s simple to put together. Use a tablespoon plus one teaspoon of corn starch per 8 ounces of shredded, sharp cheddar. Add a cup of evaporated milk and whisk while heating until it’s smooth. Make one mild. Add some hot salsa to make another one wild.

Baked mozzarella sticks: Believe it or not, you can serve up some gooey, stretchy mozzarella sticks without the hassle and added calories that come with frying. Freeze your mozzarella sticks before coating with flour and egg, then a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Bake at 400 degrees for five minutes per side, then serve them hot with a side of marinara sauce. If you’re planning a big spread and every minute counts, go the easier route. Prepared and frozen mozzarella sticks from your grocery store also taste great! Just pop them in the oven or air fryer and they’ll be ready in minutes.

Smoked gouda and bacon cheese ball: Incorporating some bacon will keep everyone smiling regardless of the score. Blend 8 ounces of cream cheese with 1 ½ cups of grated, smoked gouda. Add garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes and chives. Scoop the mixture onto some cling wrap and shape it into a football. Chill, then coat it in bacon crumbles. Serve it in the center of a plate surrounded with your favorite crackers.

Whipped feta dip: Any great snack table includes some unexpected touches. Provide your game-day revelers with a tangy Mediterranean taste. Place equal portions of feta and cream cheese into your food processor along with garlic, lemon, olive oil and Greek seasoning. The seasoning, a blend of Mediterranean spices, is available in many grocery store spice aisles. Pulse until smooth and creamy, then serve with pita bread, crackers and vegetables.

Provolone meatball sliders: It’s all the goodness of a meatball sub in a smaller bite. Separate Hawaiian rolls into top and bottom and place the bottom portion into a baking dish. Place one meatball onto each portion and top with marinara and a slice of provolone cheese. Add the tops of the rolls, then brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and parmesan. Bake until the cheese is melted and serve.

No matter how your team fares on Super Bowl Sunday, your guests will be winners if your game plan includes delicious, wholesome cheese. Agropur is the cheese of choice for restaurants and prominent brands around the world. Producing more than 1 billion pounds of high-quality cheese annually, our cheeses continually earn top honors at the world’s most prestigious contests. Click here to learn more about Agropur cheese.