Whether you’re hosting game day, a formal party, or a family holiday, appetizers are a must. They keep guests satisfied the main dish – or they can be served in lieu of a big meal – and they get the party started. However, who has the time to whip up elaborate hors d’oeuvres, especially when your want to mix and mingle with your friends and family. Sure, you could turn on the oven and heat up some frozen tidbits, but more often than not they lack flavor or come out soggy.
To make your next event a success, we have put together a list of 15 hearty appetizers that are sure to be real crowd pleasers and prevent you from being trapped in the kitchen so you can enjoy spending some quality time with your loved ones. Grab a pen and your recipe book because you’re definitely going to want to jot these appetizer recipes down.
1. Tantalizing pizza dip
This appetizer is tasty and hearty, and best of all, it requires minimal effort to prepare. In fact, you and your family and friends will be digging into it in less than 15 minutes! To make it, you’ll need a package of softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, jarred pizza sauce, and chopped green pepper.
Start by beating the cream cheese and Italian seasoning in a bowl and spread the mixture in an ungreased microwave safe dish. Combine mozzarella and parm cheeses and sprinkle half of it over the cream cheese. Pour the pizza sauce over top of the cheese mixture and top with the remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle on the pepper and onion and microwave, uncovered, until the cheese melts – about 3 minutes. If you want, you can also add some pepperoni to the top. Serve with bread sticks or tortilla chips.