It’s time to ring in the New Year, and in the spirit of the season, many people will be hosting parties for their friends, family, and neighbors. These delicious finger foods are the perfect dishes to serve and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face, as guests mingle and count the minutes until the ball drops in Times Square, and it’s once again time to lift their glasses to toast the dawn of another New Year.
New Years Party Recipe for Cranberry Glazed Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 bag 32-count frozen precooked meatballs
- 1 bottle chili sauce (12 ounces)
- 1 can jellied cranberry sauce (16 ounces)
Preparation:
- Combine chili sauce and cranberry sauce in large pan.
- Cook on medium, stirring constantly, until smooth.
- Add meatballs.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are thoroughly heated.
(If preferred, all ingredients can be placed in a crock-pot, covered, and then cooked on high for approximately 3 to 4 hours.)
New Years Party Recipe for Cheesy Sausage Pineapple Tidbits
Ingredients:
- 16 English muffins (split in half)
- 2 pounds pork sausage
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 4 cups pineapple tidbits (well drained)
- 4 six-ounce cans tomato paste
- 2 pounds finely grated Cheddar cheese
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation:
- Place muffin halves on lightly greased baking sheet.
- Slowly fry sausage, breaking into small bits, until thoroughly cooked and brown.
- Drain off excess fat.
- Add seasoning and pineapple bits.
- Spread muffins with tomato paste.
- Add layer of sausage.
- Sprinkle with Cheddar then Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Cut in quarters and serve hot.
Yield: 64 tidbits
New Years Party Recipe for Cheese Fondue Dip
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
- 2 cups shredded American cheese
- 3 to 5 drops red pepper sauce
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- Assorted vegetables for dipping: green peppers, zucchini squash, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes
Preparation:
- Heat margarine over low heat until melted.
- Gradually stir in cheese, stirring until melted.
- Add pepper sauce and wine, stirring slowly.
- Heat until hot, stirring constantly.
- When serving, provide long-handled fork for guests to dip veggies.
This recipe can also be prepared in the microwave by following these directions:
- Microwave margarine uncovered until melted.
- Stir in cheese.
- Microwave 30 seconds, stir, and then microwave another 30 seconds.
- Add pepper sauce and wine, stirring slowly.
- Microwave until hot.
- Serve immediately.
Yield: Approximately 1 and 1/2 cup dip
New Years Party Recipe for No-Bake Miniature Cheesecakes
Ingredients:
- 2 packages no-bake cheesecake filling
- 1 and 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup margarine, melted
- 3 cups milk (check the amount called for on cheesecake filling package since this might vary depending upon brand of filling)
- Maraschino cheery pieces, drained
- 24 paper baking cups
- Muffin tins
Preparation:
- Remove the graham cracker crumbs from the cheesecake filling packages.
- Combine crumbs with chopped pecans, sugar, and melted margarine.
- Divide crumb mixture among baking cups.
- Press mixture firmly against sides and bottoms of cups.
- Refrigerate approximately 15 minutes or until cool.
- Pour milk into mixing bowl.
- Add cheesecake filling.
- Beat at low speed until well blended.
- Pour into prepared crusts.
- Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
- Before serving, garnish with maraschino cheery pieces.
Yield: 24 miniature cheesecakes
All of these recipes are relatively simple to make, yield enough to feed quite a few hungry guests (double the recipes for a higher yield), and are delicious ways to celebrate the beginning of what everyone hopes will be a happy and prosperous New Year.
Related Articles: “Easy New Years Party Drink Recipes,” provides tasty punch recipes for ringing in the New Year.
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
