(Family Features) Whether your game day celebrations call for a full-blown parking lot party or homegating with your closest friends, the nibbles and noshes you serve set the stage. Building your menu with crowd-pleasing classics – including one tried-and-true favorite that offers a fresh, veggie-forward taste: chilled salsa – makes your guests cheer for more than just the home team.
Healthy game day snacks are important to almost half (48%) of tailgaters and 18% said they’d consider leaving a party if salsa wasn’t served, according to the “Game Day Eats Report” survey from refrigerated salsa brand Fresh Cravings. With its low-calorie count packed with high flavor, salsa supports health-conscious goals. Made with ingredients like fresh tomatoes, crisp vegetables, zesty peppers, and more, the authentic taste of chilled salsa is a universal favorite among fans.
With a belief that plant-based foods should contain wholesome ingredients and bold flavors worth celebrating, Fresh Cravings refrigerated salsas are available in the produce section, next to dressings and dips, in restaurant-style or chunky mild, medium, and hot varieties. Chilled salsa is an affordable and vibrant-tasting alternative to jarred salsa, making it a key ingredient in this Mexican Pizza Dip from celebrity chef George Duran. It’s a simple crowd-pleaser you can make in less than an hour, leaving more time for pregame festivities.
For more information and game day recipe ideas, visit freshcravings.com.
Mexican Pizza Dip
Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran
Servings: 6-8
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef
1 package taco seasoning mix
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa, plus additional for topping
1 cup grated mozzarella
1/2 cup blended Mexican cheese
sliced jalapeno (optional)
sliced black olives (optional)
green onions (optional)
tortilla chips
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray 8-by-8-inch glass pan or large souffle dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat and add ground beef, breaking up with a flat wooden spatula, until fully cooked. Sprinkle taco seasoning throughout the beef and combine.
Place warm beef mixture in a large bowl and add cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup salsa, and mozzarella. Mix well until combined and pour into prepared pan. Top with blended cheese and sliced jalapeno, black olives, and green onions, if desired.
Bake until fully warmed and cheese is melted, 30-35 minutes.
Top with small spoonfuls of salsa. Serve with tortilla chips.
Source: Family Features
