I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again

Erin McDowellFeb 11, 2024, 21:07 IST

Buffalo chicken dip is a classic game-day food you can make in a slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Insider

Super Bowl Sunday is the perfect time to use your slow cooker for easy, hands-off recipes.
I made five game-day foods in my own Crock-Pot, including creamy queso dip and mac and cheese.

In a bid to find simple Super Bowl party foods that didn't require hours in the kitchen, I decided to test out five slow-cooker recipes.

While I've made classics like Buffalo-chicken dip countless times in my Crock-Pot, I decided to try some other recipes like spicy wings, meatballs, and mac and cheese.

All of the dishes impressed me, but the wings were my favorite of the bunch.

Here's how I made the game-day appetizers in a slow cooker.

The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs.

The ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs.

The ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly.

The meatballs on a sheet pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly.

The meatballs on a sheet pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven.

The meatballs on a sheet pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven.

The meatballs on a sheet pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the ingredients for the tomato sauce and let it all cook on low for four hours.

The meatballs in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the ingredients for the tomato sauce and let it all cook on low for four hours.

The meatballs in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too.

The finished meatball on a fork.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too.

The finished meatball on a fork.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings.

The Buffalo sauce ingredients in a bowl.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings.

The Buffalo sauce ingredients in a bowl.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top.

The Buffalo wings in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top.

The Buffalo wings in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low.

The Buffalo chicken wings on a sheet pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low.

The Buffalo chicken wings on a sheet pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I decided to serve the wings with blue-cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice.

The finished Buffalo chicken wings.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I decided to serve the wings with blue-cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice.

The finished Buffalo chicken wings.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe.

The finished Buffalo chicken wings.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe.

The finished Buffalo chicken wings.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients.

The ingredients for the queso in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients.

The ingredients for the queso in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After putting cheese in the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies.

The ingredients for the queso in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After putting cheese in the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies.

The ingredients for the queso in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting.

The cooked queso.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting.

The cooked queso.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings.

The cooked queso with toppings.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings.

The cooked queso with toppings.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people.

Eating the queso dip with a chip.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people.

Eating the queso dip with a chip.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese.

The cheeses inside the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese.

The cheeses inside the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese.

White onion sauteed in a pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese.

White onion sauteed in a pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

Macaroni-and-cheese ingredients in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

Macaroni-and-cheese ingredients in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with.

Homemade breadcrumbs toasting in a stainless steel pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with.

Homemade breadcrumbs toasting in a stainless steel pan.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The mac and cheese took an hour and a half on high to finish cooking.

Cooked mac and cheese in the slow cooker topped with breadcrumbs.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The mac and cheese took an hour and a half on high to finish cooking.

Cooked mac and cheese in the slow cooker topped with breadcrumbs.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip.

The cream cheese mixture in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip.

The cream cheese mixture in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

The cream cheese mixture and chicken in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

The cream cheese mixture and chicken in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese.

The Buffalo chicken dip ingredients in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese.

The Buffalo chicken dip ingredients in the slow cooker.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker.

The cooked Buffalo chicken dip.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker.

The cooked Buffalo chicken dip.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy — another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day.

Eating the Buffalo-chicken dip with a chip.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy — another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day.

Eating the Buffalo-chicken dip with a chip.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I made frozen sausages in 4 different appliances, and the best method was worth the extra effort

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I made 5 Super Bowl appetizers in my slow cooker, and I'd make them all again

The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs.

The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs.

I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly.

I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly.

Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven.

Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven.

The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the ingredients for the tomato sauce and let it all cook on low for four hours.

The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the ingredients for the tomato sauce and let it all cook on low for four hours.

Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too.

Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too.

The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings.

The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings.

After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top.

After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top.

I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low.

I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low.

I decided to serve the wings with blue-cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice.

I decided to serve the wings with blue-cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice.

I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe.

I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe.

The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients.

The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients.

After putting cheese in the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies.

After putting cheese in the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies.

The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting.

The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting.

After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings.

After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings.

I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people.

I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people.

I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese.

I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese.

I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese.

I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese.

In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with.

I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with.

The mac and cheese took an hour and a half on high to finish cooking.

The mac and cheese took an hour and a half on high to finish cooking.

The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip.

The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip.

I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese.

Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese.

After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker.

After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker.

The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy — another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day.

The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy — another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day.