Game Day Recipes That Will Score Big During Any Tailgate

​ Game Day Recipes That Will Score Big During Any Tailgate Dig into warm bacon-spinach dip, sticky-saucy chicken wings, a tangy treat and more finger-food favorites

The action on the field might be the most talked-about aspect of any game day, but it wouldn’t be a proper tailgate or watch party without the right spread to satiate fans’ hungry stomachs.

Whether you’re pregaming with a meal alongside your buddies, looking for some ideas for solo snacks or wanting to have something prepared for all your anxiety-induced eating between touchdowns and controversial referee calls, this list will cover everyone’s cravings.

From finger foods to elaborate dishes, here are game day recipes to help you celebrate (or commiserate) all season long!

On game day, the Food Network’s NFL Tailgate Takedown judge is looking for “great one-handers like sliders or wings with a creative spin.”

“This amped-up ketchup packs a serious flavor punch,” he told PEOPLE. “You should be able to smell the flavors before you taste it.”

“The little buns are packed full of flavor,” said chef Marc Forgione. “They’re easy to prepare — there’s no actual cooking — but they’ll taste like you ordered from an Italian deli.”

“Not many game-day foods are going to have greens in them, so the spinach really helps this dish stand out in the spread,” said former NFL quarterback Drew Brees .

The co-owner of Walk-Ons restaurants added, “The cornerstones of a great menu are flavor and adapting it for a crowd. If you tackle that, whether your team wins or loses, you and your crew are sure to be satisfied.”

Preparing this recipe from the “Milkshake” singer takes less than an hour, making them super simple to whip up before tailgates and viewing parties.

“This sweet and spicy combo is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser,” added Kelis , who founded the Bounty & Full sauce line .

“The rolls are the perfect vehicle for meltingly tender, rich and garlicky roast beef,” says the celebrity chef , “Make sure to spoon some of the drippings onto the bread for the ultimate napkin-necessitating experience.”

No game day is complete without wings, so the chef shared a flavorful version with a green curry sauce. The flaked coconut sprinkled on top adds a nice crunch.

Behold, the tailgating snack that has everything. Thomas Boemer’s loaded potato skins are such a crowd-pleaser that we’d be surprised if they make it past kickoff. If you’re running low on macaroni, use whatever small pasta you have in the pantry — like shells, cavatappi or wheels — that will fit inside the potato skins.

“We are all about the comfort food at our house for Super Bowl—give us everything tasty and dippable!” says the star. “This is a take on queso fondido. It’s like very cheesy, stretchy, gooey mashed potatoes with a meaty kick from the spicy chorizo and a crunch from the potato chips.”

“It’s as easy as stirring ingredients in a bowl, yet it packs a spicy, crunchy and creamy flavor punch!” says the author of the 15 Minute Meals cookbook. “It’s make-ahead and served at room temperature, so you can enjoy the game—or halftime show and commercials!—without worrying about it getting cold.”

“I wanted to create a dish that took the flavor of a Thai curry and applied it to an American bar food staple,” says Baz, who features this recipe in her cookbook More Is More . “They should be spicy and pungent, bright and crunchy, and most importantly very messy. If you’re not licking your fingers at the end, you did it wrong.”

“This recipe takes wings beyond Buffalo or barbecue flavors,” said the Top Chef alum, who combines fish sauce, honey, lime juice, and more to make this game day dish. “[The sauce] also works great on grilled chicken or shrimp or as a glaze for pork chops.”

“The final dish should have a kick of spice from the pimento peppers, tang from the hot sauce and vinegar and a creamy, spreadable texture,” said the chef-owner at Saba in New Orleans and Safta in Denver.

He added that a rich, buttery saltine “helps to balance the flavors.”

“It’s the perfect blend of all things,” raved Peyton Manning about this “ultimate” sandwich. “You need a quality sub with a bit of crunch and a strong chicken-to-sauce-to-cheese ratio, and you’re set.”

“I absolutely love and crave this sandwich,” said the former Top Chef winner and chef-partner of Stubborn Seed in Miami. “I’m not sure if it’s the gooeyness or the crackling crunch of the bread, but good luck sharing!”

Alex Guarnaschelli — chef and Food Network star — uses a clever shortcut in her recipe: string cheese!

“Making mozzarella sticks from scratch is so satisfying,” she said. “I love them hot right out of the pan.”

“Tacos gobernador de camarón, or governor shrimp tacos, are a cross between a taco and a quesadilla,” said the Treasures of the Mexican Table author. “They are irresistibly delicious and messy, and the cheese creates an inviting crust as it melts.”

Score big with former Great British Baking Show winner Nadiya Hussain ‘s gooey and flavorful appetizer.

“I love this recipe for its simplicity. It’s easy to get the ingredients and turn them into total deliciousness,” said Bryce Shuman . “The wings are smoky, sweet and tangy with a slight heat that disappears quickly. They’re meaty little devils that are super fun to eat!”

On game day, spend more time watching football and less time prepping in the kitchen. Chef Wolfgang Puck ‘s melty, cheesy dip can be made up to a day ahead and popped into the oven 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve.

Score some major points with these crispy, veggie-packed dumplings. Cookbook author Jessica Seinfeld shared a plant-based snack that is light but hearty — and totally satisfying.

Elevate your pizza game with the Queer Eye alum’s breakfast-for-game-day meal.

“This [recipe] checks all the boxes: creamy mozzarella, sharp Parmigiano-Reggiano, spicy salami and fresh zucchini. And I love an oozy egg on a pizza,” said Antoni Porowski .

The James Beard Award-winning chef shares a crowd favorite, “very easy to follow’” recipe from his 2021 cookbook Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ .

The TikTok star is known for her attainable vegan recipes, and these tacos are no exception. Put out bowls of ingredients and let your guests build and stack their tacos whenever and however they please.

Food Network star Scott Conant adds lots of cheese to chopped kale and broccoli and bakes it inside a warm bread shell, which turns healthy greens into delicious game-day gold.

“The combination of the crispy skin and herby coating makes them perfect to enjoy while rooting for your team,” said Mashama Bailey, chef and co-author of Black, White, and The Grey . For extra-crispy chicken, toss them at least once while baking.

This classic cheesy dip gets an upgrade thanks to the savory crumbled bacon scattered on top — now that’s a touchdown.

A melty mash-up between classic French onion soup and queso fundido that is sure to score big with guests.

“I swear you will never look for another cheese dip in your life!” said the former Top Chef star.

Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern “infuses pork with the bold flavors of Mexican chorizo to create in irresistible burger.” The salsa is great on top of the burger and for dipping.

Eddie Jackson’s subs are packed with bright flavors. The mayo mixture spread on the buns is made with relish and hot sauce, so the spicy shrimp really sing — and the avocado adds a nice cooling element.

Duff Goldman put an “elevated twist” on the crowd-friendly dish by swapping in layers like marinated steak pieces, crème fraîche and Castelvetrano olives. Serve it with store-bought tortilla chips, or make your own with his recipe.

The BIRD Bakery founder’s refreshing dessert squares are both festive and incredibly simple to put together while you’re prepping for the big game. Elizabeth Chambers recommended putting in the tiny bit of extra work for freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled because it “makes all the difference in taste and texture.”

“I love this recipe because the deep beefy flavor of brisket is the perfect canvas for all the nacho toppings,” said the host of Bizarre Foods and the digital series AZ Cooks . “The ingredients complement each other so well, and the dish is perfect for small or larger groups on game day or any day.”

The owners of N.Y.C.’s Don Angie restaurant add an antipasto spin to their game-day subs. The sandwiches are piled high with cheese, meats (like soppressata, spicy capocollo, salami) and a red cabbage slaw that packs a punch.

Chef Emeril Lagasse offers up a spicy starter featuring his special blend of Cajun flavors. Protein and bam! — it’s a game-day winner.

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Source: Lifestyle