What you’ll need

• For Pizza Dip:

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 3 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 5 oz pepperoni minis
  • 14 oz jarred pizza sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
  • French bread

• For Cheese Dip:

  • 16 oz Velveeta, cubed
  • 8 oz cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Pico de Gallo
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 lb pork sausage
  • Tortilla chips

• For Mac and Cheese:

  • 16 oz box elbow macaroni noodles
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 8 oz yellow cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz white cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz Velveeta, in 1-inch cubes
  • 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp ground mustard

• For Little Smokies:

  • 4 14 oz Little Smokies
  • 18 oz chili sauce
  • 8 oz pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

• For Cranberry Meatballs:

  • 2 lb frozen pre-cooked meatballs
  • 1/2 cup chili sauce
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 14 oz jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• For Grape Jelly Meatballs:

  • 18 oz BBQ sauce
  • 18 oz grape jelly
  • 32 oz frozen meatballs

Step-by-step instructions

1. Pizza Dip: In your crockpot, combine the cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and basil. Stir until everything is mixed well. Cook on low for 2 hours, then serve with slices of French bread.

2. Cheese Dip: Slice the Velveeta and add it to the crockpot along with cheddar cheese, Pico de Gallo, milk, and crumbled pork sausage. Cook on low until melted and creamy, which should take about 2 hours. Pair it with tortilla chips and sour cream for dipping!

3. Mac and Cheese: Combine elbow macaroni, milk, yellow and white cheddar, Velveeta, sea salt, white pepper, and ground mustard in the crockpot. Stir to combine, and cook on low for 2-3 hours until it’s deliciously creamy.

4. Little Smokies: Add the Little Smokies to the crockpot with chili sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar. Heat on low for 2 hours. These are fantastic as finger foods!

5. Cranberry Meatballs: Combine frozen meatballs, chili sauce, BBQ sauce, cranberry sauce, orange juice, orange zest, honey, and parsley in a crockpot. Cook on low for 2-3 hours for a unique twist on your usual meatballs.

6. Grape Jelly Meatballs: Simply mix the frozen meatballs with BBQ sauce and grape jelly in the crockpot. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until bubbly and irresistible.

Best ways to enjoy it

These appetizers offer endless serving possibilities! Serve them on a large platter for sharing or set up a mini buffet where everyone can grab their favorites. Pair the cheesy dips with fresh veggie sticks for a crunchy contrast, and don’t forget sour cream or fresh salsa on the side for extra flavor. The sweet meatballs can shine bright on their own but also shine when placed on skewers for easy grabbing.

Storage and reheating tips

Got leftovers? No problem! Store any uneaten dips and meatballs in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat in the microwave or return to the crockpot on low until warmed through. If you want to save them for later, you can freeze most of these appetizers for up to 3 months. Just make sure to label your containers with the date!

Helpful cooking tips

• Prepping Ahead: Chop ingredients like basil and sausage ahead of time to save on prep time.
• Dairy Choice: For the cheese dip, feel free to mix different cheeses based on preference or what you have on hand.
• Adjusting Spice: If you prefer less heat, use mild sausage and skip the jalapeños in the Pico de Gallo.

Creative twists

Want to shake things up a bit? Experiment with different meats such as turkey sausage or swap out the cheeses for dairy-free versions if catering to food allergies. You can even spice up the mac and cheese with jalapeños or bacon for an exciting twist. Try adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika to the cheese dip for a smoky flavor that will tantalize your taste buds!

FAQs

Can I make these appetizers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the ingredients the night before and store them in the fridge. In the morning, just pour everything into the crockpot and cook away!

What if I don’t have a crockpot?

If you don’t have a crockpot, you can use a stove-top pot on low heat or even bake some of the appetizers in the oven. Just keep an eye on the cooks to avoid burning.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes! For a vegetarian-friendly twist, replace the sausage with mushrooms or add extra veggies to the dips. Most ingredients can easily be adjusted to fit dietary needs without losing out on flavor.

Cooking is all about having fun and getting creative, so gather your ingredients and enjoy whipping up these scrumptious crockpot appetizers!

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