Super Bowl Party on a Budget: 3 Sample Menus for 30 People (Under $150) - Trader Joe's Focus Using Google Gemini
Welcome to week 1 of From Here. A weekly series highlighting life these days, and ways I’m intentionally creating space for more of what feels good in this new season.
I’m doing a Super Bowl party for my birthday, so I asked Gemini, Google’s AI platform, to provide me with 3 sample menus with a shopping budget of $150 or less.
I’m going to make some tweaks, but after a few rounds of revisions, I was pretty impressed with the results and leaning towards a chili bar. What’s your go-to game day meal? I’ll be sharing the final lineup next week 😋
Sample menus if you’re still trying to decide below:
Super Bowl Party on a Budget: 3 Sample Menus for 30 People (Under $150) - Trader Joe's Focus
This blog post provides three budget-friendly Super Bowl party menu ideas using primarily Trader Joe's products, designed to feed 30 people while staying under $150.
Menu 1: Tex-Mex Fiesta
Main Course:
Hearty Beef Chili:
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Brown ground beef in a large pot.
Drain off excess grease.
Add onion and cook until softened.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until flavors are well combined.
Serve with shredded cheese, chopped onions, and sour cream.
Appetizers:
Nacho Bar: Trader Joe's tortilla chips, shredded cheese, salsa (make your own with avocados, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime), jalapeños, black olives, sour cream.
Trader Joe's Mini Chicken & Waffles: (Easy to heat and serve)
Sides:
Trader Joe's Mexican Style Corn
Desserts:
Trader Joe's Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Fruit Platter: (Watermelon, grapes, berries)
Grocery List (Menu 1):
2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Avocados
Tomatoes
Onions
Cilantro
Limes
Jalapeños
Black olives
Trader Joe's tortilla chips
Trader Joe's Mexican Style Corn
Trader Joe's Mini Chicken & Waffles
Trader Joe's Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Fruit (watermelon, grapes, berries)
Menu 2: Italian Feast
Main Course:
Hearty Beef and Pasta:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 jar (24-28 ounces) your favorite marinara sauce
Instructions:
Brown ground beef in a large skillet.
Drain off excess grease.
Stir in marinara sauce.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Serve over your favorite pasta.
Appetizers:
Trader Joe's Mini Mozzarella & Tomato Skewers
Trader Joe's Bruschetta
Charcuterie Board: (Use Trader Joe's salami, prosciutto, and a variety of cheeses)
Sides:
Trader Joe's Garlic Bread
Desserts:
Trader Joe's Tiramisu
Trader Joe's Almond Biscotti
Grocery List (Menu 2):
1 lb ground beef
1 jar marinara sauce
Pasta (your favorite kind)
Trader Joe's Mini Mozzarella & Tomato Skewers
Trader Joe's Bruschetta
Assorted Trader Joe's salami, prosciutto, and cheeses
Trader Joe's Garlic Bread
Trader Joe's Tiramisu
Trader Joe's Almond Biscotti
Menu 3: Classic Game Day
Main Course:
Hearty Chicken Chili:
Ingredients:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Brown chicken in a large pot.
Drain off excess grease.
Add onion and cook until softened.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until flavors are well combined.
Serve with shredded cheese, chopped onions, and sour cream.
Appetizers:
Trader Joe's Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Trader Joe's pita chips
Trader Joe's Hummus & Roasted Red Pepper Dip with vegetable sticks (carrots, celery)
Trader Joe's Mini Mozzarella & Tomato Skewers
Sides:
Trader Joe's Creamy Coleslaw
Trader Joe's Potato Salad
Desserts:
Trader Joe's Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Fruit Platter: (Watermelon, grapes, berries)**
Grocery List (Menu 3):
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 large onion
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper
Trader Joe's Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Trader Joe's Hummus & Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Trader Joe's pita chips
Carrots
Celery
Trader Joe's Creamy Coleslaw
Trader Joe's Potato Salad
Trader Joe's Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Fruit (watermelon, grapes, berries)
Tips for Staying Under Budget:
Check for sales and use coupons: Trader Joe's often has sales and seasonal specials.
Buy in bulk when possible: For items like chips and drinks.
Limit alcohol: Offer beer and wine instead of more expensive liquors.
Keep it simple: These menus focus on easy-to-prepare options with minimal ingredients.
Remember to adjust these menus based on your preferences and what's available at your local Trader Joe's. Happy Super Bowl!
