The biggest sporting event of the year is little over a week away.

The countdown to Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers is on.

Watching the game can be a fun event for the entire family.  In fact, millions of clans around the world gather together to cheer on their favorite team at huge Super Bowl parties, though hosting one can be quite challenging and expensive if you are not careful.

One way to reduce the cost of hosting a viewing party is to make simple and affordable snacks.  Not only will the following recipes keep your budget intact, but you can also score extra points with your kids by allowing them to help make the delicious dishes.  My 8-year-old is able to put together these tasty recipes with very little assistance:

Deli Pinwheels 

Ingredients:

• 2 blocks (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 small packet dry Ranch dip mix
• 10 large flour tortillas
• 1 pound thinly sliced deli ham, turkey, or roast beef or a combination of all three
• 2 cups of fresh spinach
• 1 jar roasted red peppers

Directions:

1. In a large bowl mix together cream cheese and dry Ranch dip.
2. Spread a thin layer on each tortilla.
3. Add a few slices of deli meat on top.
4. Place some spinach and roasted red peppers on the meat.
5. Tightly roll up tortilla.
6. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least two hours.
7. When you are ready to serve, unwrap and cut into 4 to 8 pieces depending on how big you want to make the pinwheel sandwiches.

Kicked-Up Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 package of cheese tortellini, cooked and cooled
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 can of artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 can of roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 lemon zested
• Juice of one lemon
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup grape tomatoes cut in half

Directions:

1. In a large bowl add pasta and chopped baby spinach.
2. Add in artichokes, roasted red pepper, and garlic.
3. In a separate bowl whisk lemon zest, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
4. Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad and toss.
5. Before serving, add in basil and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and toss well.