Half-Time Show

When you're having company over, it can be hard to strike that balance between time spent in the kitchen and time spent with your guests. That's especially true on Superbowl Sunday, when you also want to send time in front of the TV -- even if it's just to see the commercials.

My solution? Break out the slow cooker!

For last year's game I made this dip, which was a huge hit. It was full of flavor and quite versatile. I served it with veggies, crackers, and breadsticks. Any leftovers? Serve over a short-cut pasta for some zippy macaroni and cheese!

Zippy Sausage Cheese Dip
Recipe from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pork sausage, squeezed out of casing and crumbled
  
• 2 lbs. Velveeta cheese, cubed
  
• 2 10.75-oz. cans Rotel tomatoes with chilies, undrained

Directions:

1. Brown sausage in large nonstick skillet. Drain.
   
2. Return browned sausage to skilled and stir in cubed Velveeta cheese.
   
3. Cook over low heat until cheese melts. Stir occasionally.
   
4. Place pork and melted cheese in slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes.
   
5. Cover and cook on LOW 1-2 hours until heated through.
   
6. Serve warm with raw, cut-up veggies or chips.

Variation: For a creamier dish, add 2 10.75-oz. cans cream of mushroom soup to Step 4, stirring soup in with the tomatoes.