The vibes of the next two weeks are…diverse. How do you meal plan and prep for:

1. 17 hungry, loud (whether they’re happy or not with the result, the volume is non-negotiable) sports fans

2. A “Love Week” (because apparently my daughter’s kindergarten teacher didn’t think one “Love Day” on the 14th was enough stress and prep for the parents

3. And a cute Valentines date night??

I did some digging and figuring this out was honestly my Super Bowl, but that I did, so here we go…One Menu. Three vibes. Zero stress. Clear eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t lose.

The secret is finding recipes that can be repurposed. Same core dish, three completely different presentations. Make one thing. Serve it three ways.

🤫 A Pepper Hack Just for Our Newsletter Community 🌶️

I am loving the “Trending Collections” section of the Pepper app. It always knows what I’m looking for before I do (and sometimes reminds me of big occasions and events that I’d forgotten about…see: National Pizza Day). This Super Bowl collection is getting filled with more and more game day recipes by the minute!

For Pepper+ members, you can also make your own collection to keep for your personal digital cookbook or collaborate on with your friends. Just click the “+” button in the top right corner of the “Saved” tab and pick a name.

Here’s mine!

5 Base Recipes that Work Overtime This Month

1. Something with meatballs

The Base Recipe: Classic Italian meatballs

🏈 Game Day Version: Meatball Subs 

Pile meatballs into hoagie rolls, top with marinara and mozzarella, broil until bubbly.

💝 Date Night Version: Spaghetti and Meatballs 

Twirl the pasta, top with meatballs and sauce, finish with fresh basil and parmesan, and add a glass of red wine.

This recipe is straight from Pepper’s founder, himself! Thanks, Jake!

👧 Kids Valentine's Version: Heart-Shaped Meatball Pizza 

Press store-bought pizza dough into a heart shape on a baking sheet. Top with marinara, mozzarella, and flatten the meatballs slightly so they sit flush. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes.

Here’s a photo of the perfect heart-shaped pie that my friend made last week!

2. Something with chicken

The Base Recipe: Baked chicken wings

🏈 Game Day Version: Buffalo Wings with Ranch 

Toss wings in buffalo sauce, serve with celery sticks and ranch. This is what everyone expects at a Super Bowl party. Don't overthink it.

💝 Date Night Version: Sticky Asian Glaze Wings 

Same wings, different sauce. Toss with soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Plate over jasmine rice.

👧 Kids Valentine's Version: Sweet & Tangy "Cupid Wings" 

Mix ketchup, honey, and a tiny bit of vinegar for a sweet dipping sauce kids actually like. Serve with heart-shaped sweet potato fries (use a cookie cutter, they'll think it's magic).

3. A big dip

The Base Recipe: Creamy, melty cheese dip

🏈 Game Day Version: Buffalo Chicken Dip 

Mix shredded rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and cheddar. Bake until bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips, celery, or…a spoon.

💝 Date Night Version: Baked Brie with Fig Jam 

Take a wheel of brie, top with fig jam and chopped walnuts, bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

👧 Kids Valentine's Version: Cream Cheese Dip 

Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and a handful of diced berries. Serve with graham crackers or pretzels for dipping. The kids get a "treat" that's basically a deconstructed cheesecake.

4. Obviously chocolate (that’s a given)

The Base Recipe: Chocolate ganache (just heavy cream and chocolate chips melted together)

🏈 Game Day Version: Chocolate Fondue Station 

Set out ganache in a bowl with skewers. Surround it with strawberries, pretzels, marshmallows, pound cake cubes.

💝 Date Night Version: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries 

Dip strawberries in the ganache, let them set on parchment paper. Arrange on a plate with champagne. Kiss someone…probably.

👧 Kids Valentine's Version: Chocolate Bark 

Spread ganache thin on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with sprinkles, crushed cookies, mini marshmallows, whatever. Refrigerate until firm, break into pieces. The kids get to help decorate and then eat candy that you made together.

5. A pasta fail-safe

The Base Recipe: One big batch of marinara sauce and cooked pasta

🏈 Game Day Version: Baked Ziti

Mix cooked ziti with marinara and ricotta, dump into a 9x13 pan, top with mozzarella, bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve buffet-style.

💝 Date Night Version: Pasta Pomodoro 

Use the same marinara. Toss with fresh pasta. Plate individually with fresh basil, parmesan, and a drizzle of good olive oil.

👧 Kids Valentine's Version: Heart-Shaped Ravioli 

Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter on lasagna noodles. Top with marinara and mozzarella. They get Valentine's-themed dinner, you get to use the same sauce you've been making all week.

💰 The Grocery List 💰

Proteins:

• 3 lbs ground beef (meatballs)

• 5 lbs chicken wings

• 1 rotisserie chicken (for dip)

Dairy:

• 2 blocks cream cheese

• 2 bags shredded mozzarella

• 1 container ricotta

• 1 wheel brie

• Heavy cream

Pantry:

• 2 boxes pasta (ziti and spaghetti)

• 2 large cans crushed tomatoes

• Chocolate chips

• Buffalo sauce

• Fig jam

Produce:

• Strawberries

• Garlic

• Fresh basil