Healthier and Delicious Super Bowl Recipes
Get in the game with healthier and delicious Super Bowl recipes and healthy eating tips!
“Defense! Defense!”
That’s what you need to be cheering this weekend as you get ready to attend a Super Bowl party. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest food day for Americans (Thanksgiving is #1). Given that just a month ago many of you have likely made some New Year’s resolutions to eat eat better and exercise more, it seems pretty crazy to undo all that hard work in just one afternoon.
But all those small changes you’ve made over the past month don’t have to go down the drain. You will be faced with tempting foods, many that are more indulgent than your usual day to day fare, but if you go in prepared you can enjoy game day and wake up Monday morning with no regrets.
Your Playbook for a Healthy Super Bowl Sunday
- Get in at least 30 minutes of sweat-inducing cardio before the Big Game. Go for a power walk, run, bike ride, or move your body on the elliptical – whatever you enjoy most.
- Make sure both breakfast and lunch are loaded with fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. And definitely do not skip those meals.
- Prepare a healthy dish or two for the game to ensure you’ll have at least one better-for-you option to fall back on. (See the healthier and delicious super bowl recipes below)
- Have a snack before you head out to avoid overeating when you arrive. The best snack is one that has some protein and/or healthy fat to keep you satiated.
- Check out what food is being offered before filling your plate. This way you can plan your plate to have a balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables.
- Drink wisely. It’s okay to enjoy your drink of choice in moderation, but be sure to have lots of water throughout the night to stay hydrated and prevent you from confusing thirst for hunger.
- Enjoy yourself. I am a true believer that all foods fit in moderation and special events and parties are an appropriate time to be a little more indulgent than usual. Just be sure to choose what is really special and not something you would have any other day.
Back to tip number three above, what are some healthier options you can make or bring with you? Here are 45+ of them to try!
Healthier and Delicious Super Bowl Recipes
Flatbreads, Pizzas, and Quesadillas:
Rosemary-Roasted Tomato Pesto Pizza
Mediterranean Hummus Flatbread
Kabocha Flatbread with Rosemary-Roasted Grapes and Shallots
Mushroom Onion Truffle Pesto Pizza
Farinata with Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto Drizzle
Sweetpotato Black Bean Quesadillas
Small Bites & Finger Foods:
Lemon Hummus Endive Boats with Pomegranate Seeds
Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
Butternut Sage Risotto Balls with Lemon Honey Drizzle
Soups, Stews, & Chili:
Roasted Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Soup
Tomato White Bean Soup with Kale Pesto
Corn Tortilla Soup with Black Beans
Pasta Dishes:
Lightened Up Macaroni & Cheese
Roasted Root Vegetable Pasta with Pesto
Quick & Easy Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Pasta
Salads & Side Dishes:
Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with Pomegranate Ginger Dressing
Grilled Avocados Stuffed with Corn & Black Bean Salsa
Citrus Fennel Salad with Champagne-Lemon Vinaigrette
Miso-Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Root Veggies
Rosemary-Roasted Cauliflower with Raisins
Corn & Black Bean Quinoa Salad
Chili-Lime Roasted Butternut Squash
Spinach Salad with Jicama, Black Beans, and Lime Vinaigrette
Cocktails:
Spicy Strawberry Rhubarb Margaritas
Cran-Toddy or Cranberry-Cider Cooler
Orange French 75 Champagne Cocktail
Dessert:
Lemon Poppy Seed Thumbprint Cookies
Grilled Stone Fruit with Honey Lemon Yogurt Sauce
Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
No-Bake Strawberry Mousse Parfait
Iced Orange-Cranberry Biscotti
Check out my Football Season & Super Bowl Pinterest page for even more recipes to enjoy this Super Bowl Sunday!
Do you have a favorite healthier and delicious Super Bowl recipe?
Share with me in the comments below!

Such great tips from your fellow RDN friends! Your dishes all look so tasty but I’m especially loving the veggie & bean quinoa bites- yum!
Thanks Sonali! Those bites are really fun little hors d’ourves and also great to make ahead and freeze for those days when you just can’t get lunch done in time for the kids (or yourself)!
Love the idea of arranging fruit in the team colors. Great tips to eat a little healthier while still enjoying yummy food!
Thanks Elizabeth! I thought that was a great idea too!
I’ll have one of each 🙂
hahaa…too many good things to choose from!
That hummus flatbread looks so good! Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Kaleigh! Hope you enjoy!
I had no idea Super Bowl Sunday is the 2nd biggest food day, wow! Luckily we are armed with these healthy recipes, thanks for sharing, Jessica! 🙂
It’s pretty crazy! Just goes to show how much we eat all in the name of football! Thanks so much for checking out my recipes!
I had no idea Super Bowl Sunday was such a big food holiday! I love those ideas you listed, and the roundup is full of recipes I need to add to my list!
It’s so crazy, right? Especially after everyone makes resolutions for the New Year! Hope you get a chance to try some of the recipes, Melanie!
What a great assortment of healthy recipes, Jessica! I think the chicken satay will be coming with me to my Super Bowl party 🙂
Thanks Jodi! Hope you enjoy it! Have fun.