Make-Ahead Graduation Party Foods

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 15 mini bell peppers
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 8 ounces mozzarella balls
• Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth.
2. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Serve warm with tortilla chips, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetable sticks.
3. Halve the mini bell peppers and remove seeds. Mix ricotta, feta, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stuff the mixture into each pepper half and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
4. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, and egg. Mix until just combined.
5. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
6. In a saucepan, heat marinara sauce and add baked meatballs. Simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Assemble Caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella balls, then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
8. Melt dark chocolate and dip strawberries in it, then refrigerate until set.
9. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into muffin tins.
10. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, then pour into the crusts and bake for 20-25 minutes.