You had us at bacon balls … 5 recipes to make you the Super Bowl MVP

Want to host a winning Super Bowl party?

It’s all in the food.

Here are 5 recipes that are sure to please the die-hard football fans at your party and those just in it for the commercials, the halftime show and the food.

1. SMOKIN’ BACON BALLS

Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or attending one and need a dish to take, these meatballs are sure to win you new friends. Heck, you might even be voted MVP. These meatballs offer a unique blend of flavors and texture, and are definitely a guilty pleasure. The magic ingredient: definitely the bacon lardons, but the heavy cream, smoked cheddar and ricotta also help to put this dish over the top.

>> RECIPE: Smokin’ Bacon Balls

2. SPINACH AND BACON-STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Just because you are devoted to following the Paleo diet doesn’t mean you have to miss out on delicious Super Bowl treats. This bite-sized snack will hit the spot. And there’s bacon …

America’s Test Kitchen’s “Paleo Perfected: A Revolution in Eating Well with 150 Kitchen-Tested Recipes,” includes a perfect snack-sized recipe for stuffed mushrooms. Instead of using bread crumbs, this recipe uses boiled cashews that are then whipped into a creamy paste. Spinach, bacon and spices round out the flavor. The result is a versatile appetizer that’s hearty enough to include for Sunday football watching and elegant enough to serve at a cocktail party. It’s also quite easy to make and just as easy to eat.

>> RECIPE: Spinach and Bacon-stuffed Mushrooms

3. GRILLED CHEESE SLIDERS WITH PANCETTA AND TOMATO MARMALADE

You had us at grilled cheese.

This recipe comes from “Cooking Like a Master Chef: 100 Recipes to Make the Everyday Extraordinary” by Graham Elliot with Mary Goodbody and is a perfect Super Bowl snack.

These little sandwiches are simple to put together and simple to devour. The Tomato Marmalade can be prepared in advance (it keeps for two days in the fridge). The last step is using a panini press or hot frying pan to give the sandwiches a pleasant, crunchy finish, but if you like your sliders soft, you can eliminate this step.

You’ll find pancetta at the deli. Ask for very thin slices so they’d cook thoroughly in a matter of a few minutes. If you can’t find potato rolls at your grocery store, try Hawaiian rolls or mini burger buns instead.

>> RECIPE: Grilled Cheese Sliders with Pancetta and Tomato Marmalade

4. BAKED PEPPERONI PIZZA DIP

This recipe is perfect for parties and is made in a cast-iron skillet. If you don’t have one, consider making an investment. This recipe is easy to assemble and blends traditional pizza ingredients, with some suprising extras.

It’s perfect for sharing!

>> RECIPE: Baked Pepperoni Pizza Dip

5. BOURBON AND COKE WINGS

A chicken wing recipe is like a chili recipe: Everyone needs to have one. This recipe by bestselling cookbook author Francine Bryson has wings that aren’t breaded or fried.

In the time these drumettes bake in the oven, a few simple ingredients stirred together in a pot on the stove become the tasty coating. Easy to make, easy to transport and easy to eat.

>> RECIPE: Bourbon and Coke Wings