Super Bowl LVIII is set for February 11th and regardless of whether or not you are a huge football fan, everyone knows this day is about the food. I mean, who doesn’t love indulging in a good appetizer? So, why not make ones that are budget friendly and affordable for college students?

Let’s approach this in true college fashion with a tight budget of $15. Your wallet may be slim, but your taste isn’t, and chips and salsa no longer seem appealing. You begin thinking of possible food options that will satisfy your guests. Here’s what you found:

#1-Homemade Guacamole

To preface, I am using “homemade” as a loose term here. While it may not be true authentic Mexican guacamole with ingredients like jalapeños, cilantro, and onion, it can surely be made in the kitchen. Of course, guacamole can be purchased in the refrigerated section of any grocery store, but nothing compares to it being homemade. 

Crediting my cousin Ashley who showed me this simple recipe displayed on the back of the product packet, it is low-cost and takes about five minutes to put together. Could it get any easier? I don’t think so. 

Typically near the produce section, you will find a packet of Concord Guacamole Mix which is composed of dry seasons to help elevate the dip’s flavor. Depending on the size of your crowd, you might opt for purchasing a few. 

You may ask, well Kait, what about the price? I should first note that its cost depends on the retailer. If purchased at Shoprite or Acme, the mix is sold for around $1.29-39. Not a large price difference, but it still saves for other items. 

While in the produce section, you need to pick up a few avocados. As mentioned, this will be dictated by your number of guests so calculate costs accordingly. One packet of mix calls for about 2-3 avocados. I would opt for ones that are ripe, typically dark in color, and feel soft but not mushy. 

In terms of cost, organic avocados are typically more expensive, so your wallet might prefer ones that are conventionally grown. Remember, work within your budget. There should be no judgment. If you purchase a bag of avocados at Target or Acme, they are sold for around $4. If bought individually, they are less than a dollar. 

Not necessary, but this tiny addition is a game-changer. When I make this guacamole, I like to add a quarter of a lime. It delays the avocados from turning brown and will stay fresh longer. Again, this is a personal choice, but definitely a good touch. 

Checklist for Homemade Guacamole: 

• Concord Guacamole Seasoning Mix
• 2-3 Avocados per mix packet
• Optional: Lime

#2- Sourdough Pull-Apart Bread

Who’s ready to carb-load? This recipe will surely win the crowd and your stomach! Now, if you haven’t stumbled upon Tik-Tok videos of this appetizer, be ready to prepare yourself. I mean, who could hate the combination of cheese, ranch, and bacon? Certainly not me!

Since this is not an original recipe, we can head over to Allrecipes and view Angela’s Cheddar Bacon Ranch pulls. But first, did you see that feature video? Wow, that pull-apart looks wonderful and cheesy!

If you want a detailed cooking tutorial, it is advised to reference the recipe’s page. But, I will break down its ingredients, cost of each item, and what the recipe consists of. So, let’s see what ingredients the recipe calls for!

Checklist for Sourdough Pull-Apart Bread:

• 3 slices of bacon
• 1 loaf (1 pound) of round sourdough bread
• 8 slices (1 ounce) of Cheddar cheese (add more if preferred)
• ½ cup of melted butter
• 1 tablespoon of dry ranch dressing mix

This ingredients list is a bit longer than the previous one, but can still fit under our $15 budget. Thinking of substitutions can certainly make this cheaper. 

Depending on its cut, a packet of Hardwood Smoked bacon can range anywhere from $4 to $7. Of course, this price can fluctuate and be more expensive. But again, this depends on quality, quantity, brand, and cut. A cheaper alternative is bacon bits whose price is around $2 to $6. A slight difference between the two, but it still serves the same purpose as a game day treat!

While others may make their own sourdough bread, I am assuming that as college students, we don’t have the time. We need something more convenient, so a ready-made one it is! Fresh-baked goods can be on the pricey side, but no need to fear. Acme sells Crest Hill Sourdough for $2.99 and although it is only 14 ounces, it won’t ruin your entire recipe.

The most important part- cheddar cheese! Regardless of whether you purchase a block or shreds of cheddar cheese, its price point is very reasonable ranging between $2 to $4. Forewarning, if you buy the block, it will need to be cut down so it can be placed inside the sourdough. 

Let’s be honest, butter can be pricey, especially if it is organic or grass fed. The choice is yours. But, remember, we are within a budget. If a tub of butter is preferred, Walmart sells an 8 ounce of Land O’ Lakes for $2.48 while a pack of two Great Value salted butter sticks costs $2.26. (A little side note- you don’t need two sticks for the recipe, so technically it’s even cheaper.) This is a preference, but the price difference should be accounted for. 

Here’s a helpful tip- if you buy dry ranch seasoning, stick to the packets of Hidden Valley. And yes, for some reason, the packet and container of dry ranch have completely different tastes. At Target, a 1 ounce packet of Hidden Valley Dry Ranch Mix costs $1.99. 

With 4.7 out of 5 stars, it seems Angela and her recipe are doing something right! Does it seem like a fit for your Super Bowl party?

#3- Everything Bagel Stuffed Peppers

If I can be honest, this can’t be categorized just as a Super Bowl appetizer, but a go-to treat. A delicacy for all pepper and cream cheese lovers! Maybe “delicacy” was a bit exaggerated, but nonetheless, you get the point! 

Like the homemade guacamole, this is a fairly simple recipe that doesn’t need precise measurements. Therefore, the ingredient list is solely based on its necessary components. The quantity in which you would buy is determined by how many guests you are serving and or the amount you expect them to eat.

If you are looking for a detailed recipe, head over to Mary on Mission: to Save. 

A recipe that calls for only a few ingredients! What a win! Now, let’s talk about prices and how this recipe could be spruced up!

Like I mentioned with avocados, vegetables can be pricey if they are organic. Personally speaking, I tend to opt for Acme’s field & farm bag of Assorted Mini Peppers that sell for $2.79 or Target’s Good & Gather 16 ounce bag of Mini Sweet Peppers for $3.49. A sleeve of assorted bell peppers is a great option as well. These retail at Walmart for $2.98. 

Now, I must admit that I feel obligated to recommend Philadelphia Cream Cheese as a city native, but it is truly one of the best! There are cheaper options such as an 8 ounce Great Value cream cheese block for $1.86. But if Philadelphia cream cheese is your go-to, at Walmart, an 8 ounce block is $2.82. 

The notorious Everything Bagel Seasoning that took the internet by storm! A personal favorite of mine is Aldi’s Stonemill Everything Bagel Seasoning which retails for about $2. What a steal!

If this recipe appears boring to the taste buds, here’s a hack. After the stuffed peppers are assembled, wrap it in a piece of salami. Realistically, it could be your favorite lunch meat or one lying in the fridge. But, I have to argue that salami pairs pretty well. 

Although this appetizer is cheap, it doesn’t have to taste like it! Remember that you can always elevate a food item with something you may already have at home be it a garnish or spice. It’s all about getting creative in the kitchen!

Checklist for Everything Bagel Stuffed Peppers:

• Bell Peppers or Mini Sweet Peppers 
• Cream Cheese
• Everything Bagel Seasoning 
• Optional: Packet of Salami

#4- Boneless Chicken Bites

I know you’re disappointed that wings didn’t make it to the list. But, let’s be reasonable with our $15 budget. Most of these appetizers require time for cooking and assembling, so there needs to be one that is effortless. This means buying something from the frozen section. 

 How does chicken bites sound? 

Checklist for Boneless Chicken Bites:

• Bag of Chicken Bites
• Optional: Sauce 

At Target, Good & Gather sells a 25.5 ounce frozen bag of popcorn chicken for $7.99. For about two dollars more, Tyson Any’tizers retails their 24 ounce bag of frozen chicken for $9.29. 

Now, if you are like me and need sauce, there is certainly room in our budget. Two of my personal favorites are Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parm and Medium sauce. At Walmart, these are sold for $3.30 each. Again, this is an optional purchase, but will enhance its taste. 

#5- Pizza Dip

That’s right, pizza dip! Anyone can buy a cheap pizza for their Super Bowl party, but pizza dip screams a delicious appetizer! While it might need a handful of ingredients, this dish is sure to please your guests. 

If you need a detailed recipe, please refer to Holly on Spend with Pennies. 

Before talking about the recipe’s ingredients, I previously considered some of the items and their cost such as cream and shredded cheese. So, please refer to those sections if needed. 

Now, I would assume that these seasonings are household items. Therefore, I wouldn’t factor them into your overall costs unless you don’t currently have them. 

Let’s look at some of these “new” ingredients! At Target, Good & Gather sells a 14 ounce jar of  traditional pizza sauce for $1.69 whereas Walmart retails a 14 ounce Great Value pizza sauce. 

Be aware that the taste of pizza sauce depends on the brand. Personally, I prefer Prego or Rao’s, but that can be a bit more pricey. 

Now, the recipe does not specify whether they use regular-size or mini pepperoni, so we will view the cost of both. Walmart sells 6 ounces of original pepperoni slices for $2.58 while Target holds a 7 ounce of Hormel sliced pepperoni for $4.19. When looking at a bag of mini pepperoni slices, Hormel seems to be the primary brand sold for around $4. 

While bagel chips pair perfectly with pizza dip, if your budget allows, it can surely be an option. For the sake of being affordable, a bag of tortilla chips is a fitting alternative. At Walmart and Target, a bag of tortilla chips roughly costs around $3 to $5. 

Pizza dip is one of my absolute favorite appetizers! Not only is it a fan-favorite, but a unique appetizer that can be made low-cost. With 4.99 stars out of 5, Holly’s recipe seems like a hit and will surely go over on game day!

Checklist for Pizza Dip:

• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 2 cups of mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup cheddar cheese
• ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon of dried basil 
• ¼  cup of fresh parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of pizza sauce
• Pepperoni slices
• Bag of tortilla chips 

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Please consider that the price of items depends on the store in which you shop, area, brand, and quality. Therefore, the prices that I listed in this article may fluctuate. This must be acknowledged when shopping on a budget. 

These recipes focus on affordable alternatives that fit into the tight budget of college students. While $15 does not seem like a lot, you can stretch your money by searching for cheaper alternatives. 

Everyone deserves to take part in events like the Super Bowl. Regardless of your wallet size, you should not be excluded from an experience that can hold lifelong memories.

So, what are you waiting for, Chef? Let’s get cooking!

Kaitlyn Cross is a fourth-year English student minoring in Creative Writing and Marketing/Management.