Game Day Recipes | Football Food Ideas & Hostessing Tips
Need help with that football party menu? 19 awesome football party appetizers to choose from, plus, 3 party tips to help keep you sane.
Have y'all noticed football season snuck right back into town? I for one, am seriously pumped about it. Not necessarily about the whole "football" part, but mostly just about the food. If I'm being completely honest here, I've gone a whole 33 years and I still have trouble grasping all the rules of the game. And, though I may not understand what's going on at all times, I'll gladly cheer for a touchdown, and you can bet your bottom dollar, I'll be the first to raise my hand, and volunteer to host a game day party.
KEEP IT CASUAL
When I am designing a football party menu, there are multiple factors I take into consideration. First off, this is a casual affair. No need to pull out the caviar and fois gras just yet folks. Save it for Christmas or New Years, or whatever fancy holiday people pull that kind of stuff out for. Just keep it casual: BBQ, hot dogs, chips and dips. Try lightening your work load with no-cook items like cheese and meat trays, and simple, hand-held treats like cookies and brownies will do just fine.
LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Secondly, the work load. People, you work hard, and I say it's time to give yourselves a break already. Rather than providing a full-on meal for my guests on game day, I enlist a little help on the grill via the husband, and I'll usually hop on a few appetizers. When guests ask what they can bring (which most inevitably do) I'll encourage them to bring their favorite side dish or dessert, as everybody loves a good variety. To ensure the help of others, you might try calling it a "Potluck Party" when you send out the invites. Another note, I casually mention to guests what we will be making on our end. This way, if they care to make a dish that goes well with the main course, they have all the info they need!
Allowing others to contribute, not only provides you and your guests with a fun variety of game day eats, it also alleviates your work load. Trying to do it all yourself can leave you scrambling at the end, stressed throughout the party and too tired to even enjoy yourself at your own event! Who wants that?! No one. That's who.
NOBODY THINKS YOU LIVE IN A MUSEUM
I've hosted so, SO many parties over the years, and have just very recently come to this conclusion. This one, very simple, sanity-saving party tip and it goes out to the hostess with the mostess, the perfectionist of all perfectionists: Don't worry so much about your floors and a spotless house, especially if children are going to be running in and out of the home. Trust me, I know how hard it is to let go of this one. It took me a very long time. And if you really can't resist, sure, grab the broom and give it a quick once over. But, please, for the love -- do NOT get out the mop. Unless you just really love to mop, in which case, move in with me.
Here's the deal: The people we invite into our homes are mostly our friends, and if they aren't close friends, they are people we are hoping to forge a closer relationship with. On either level, I don't need these people to think I live in a perfectly, undisturbed house. Do you? OK, but do you really? I have two young children, I am a busy mom and I live in real life. If the wood isn't perfectly polished, I'm sure my guests will find a way to carry on. Humans are resilient that way.
You've opened your home up to these people. It is one of the kindest and (quite literally) most inviting things one person could do for another, so please, don't sweat the small stuff. They're not coming over to judge you, they're coming over to be with you.
NOW, LET'S EAT
So now that we've gotten your game day entertaining strategy underway, let's get on with the recipes, shall we? Below is a collection of a few of my favorite things. From dips, to finger foods, to desserts, you are sure to find some stellar ideas to serve at your football party. Happy entertaining, and, please, enjoy!
GAME DAY DIP IDEAS
An easy ranch dip featuring freshly grated cheddar and bacon.
An easy pimento cheese recipe, featuring freshly grated Cheddar and Havarti cheese.
A salsa-type dip perfect for dipping, cowboy caviar recipe that features black-eyed peas, fresh chopped veggies and a sweet and tangy red wine vinegar dressing.
An easy, homemade salsa recipe, that tastes eerily similar to the beloved Tex-Mex restaurant Chuy's famous salsa fresca.
An easy recipe for queso dip with meat. Featuring Velveeta cheese, Tex-Mex seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, peppers and onions.
A cheesy and addictive spinach and artichoke dip, featuring freshly sauteed spinach, Fontina cheese and marinated artichoke hearts.
A combination of cheeses, cured meats and accoutrements perfect for game day entertaining. This platter features Cheddar, Colby Jack and Gouda cheese, summer sausage and peppered salami and pickled okra. Also featured is a red pepper jelly and a super simple homemade mustard blend.
A simple and easy guacamole recipe, featuring avocados, fresh lime juice and cilantro.
A caramelized onion dip featuring golden onions, bacon and cream cheese. Serve alongside kettle-cooked and sweet potato chips.
FOOTBALL FINGER FOOD
An Aggie game day food idea, featuring ground beef meatballs, covered in a sweet and (slightly) spicy chipotle-raspberry barbecue sauce.
A recipe for boneless buffalo chicken bites, featuring a homemade buffalo sauce (that doesn't break!) and perfectly cooked chicken.
Deviled eggs have never looked so sophisticated, nor tasted this good. Simple additions like briny capers, tangy tarragon vinegar and dijon mustard give this delicacy a unique, and addictive, edge.
A recipe for corn dog muffins, featuring a quick and easy corn dog batter and hot dogs.
How to make perfect bagel bites at home and freeze them for later use. Recipe features miniature bagels, sauce, melty Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
A simple recipe for gluten-free, oven-baked turkey meatballs, featuring fresh herbs and ricotta cheese, plus a recipe for a quick marinara dipping sauce.
GAME DAY SWEET TREAT IDEAS
A simple and lovely cheese spread featuring goat cheese, homemade cranberry relish and pecans. Perfect for fall entertaining and a Thanksgiving Day appetizer.
A s'more cookie, studded with chocolate chips, topped with marshmallow and a chocolate kiss.
A recipe for Aggie cookies, featuring an oatmeal cookie speckled with white chocolate chips and cranberries.
A fast and easy yogurt based fruit dip made with cream cheese, store-bought lemon curd and freshly squeezed lemon. Perfect for dipping fresh fruit and/or graham crackers.
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