Football season is upon us, and that means it's time to gather your friends, fire up the grill, and indulge in some delicious game day eats. Whether you're hosting a tailgate party, watching from the comfort of your living room, or having a casual get-together, the right food can elevate the experience. Here’s our winning lineup of game day recipes that will have everyone cheering for more.
1. Classic Cuban Midnight Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 4 sweet bread rolls
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup prepared mustard
- 1 pound thinly sliced cooked ham
- 1 pound thinly sliced fully cooked pork
- 1 pound sliced Swiss cheese
- 1 cup dill pickle slices
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Split the sandwich rolls in half, and spread mustard and mayonnaise liberally onto the cut sides.
- On each sandwich, place and equal amount of Swiss cheese, ham and pork in exactly that order. Place a few pickles onto each one, and put the top of the roll onto the sandwich. Brush the tops with melted butter.
- Press each sandwich in a sandwich press heated to medium-high heat. If a sandwich press is not available, use a large skillet over medium-high heat, and press the sandwiches down using a sturdy plate or skillet. Some indoor grills may be good for this also. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, keeping sandwiches pressed. If using a skillet, you may want to flip them once for even browning.
- Slice diagonally and serve hot.
2. Blooming Quesadilla
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 1 cup taco sauce
- 20 taco-size tortillas
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
Instructions:
- Heat the oven to 375?F (190?C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken, onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and taco sauce, and mix to combine. Set aside.
- Cut each tortilla in half. Evenly add about 2 tablespoons each of the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and chicken mixture to each tortilla half.
- Roll the tortillas into cones, starting fro the cut edge and making sure not to push the ingredients out of the tortilla.
- Place a wide mouth jar or glass in the center of the baking sheet.
- Create a ring around the jar with about 13 tortilla cones. The points of the cones should be in the center, touching the jar. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the layer. Repeat with the remaining cones to make 2 more layers, finishing with the rest of the cheddar and Monterey Jack. Remove the jar from the center of the ring.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and the edges of the tortillas are crispy, 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the blooming quesadilla to a serving platter. Place your dip of choice inside the ring and top with your desired garnishes. Serve immediately.
3. Smoked Nashville Hot Chicken Queso
Ingredients:
- ??1.5 lb chicken thighs about 5
- ½ cup hot sauce
- ¼ cup pickle brine
- 1/4 cup Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning
QUESO:
- 1 1/2 cup half and half
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temp
- 16 ounces Velveeta queso blanco cubed
- 1 cup finely grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning
- Chopped pickles and pickled jalapeños for garnish
Instructions:
- Mix the chicken with hot sauce and pickle brine. Allow to marinate in the fridge covered for at least 2 hours, up to 6 hours.
- Heat up the smoker for indirect cooking at 275°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and season generously with the Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning. Set chicken on a baking sheet lined with foil, this will help keep the chicken moist for shredding later.
- Prepare the queso. Add all of the ingredients to a skillet, topping with additional Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning.
- Place both the chicken and the queso in the smoker. After about 30 minutes, check on the queso and begin to stir it up, breaking up the cheeses and whisking together. You may need to do this a few times before it becomes completely smooth. If the queso happens to be done early, remove from the smoker and keep warm.
- Continue to cook until the chicken is 165°F internal temperature. Remove the pan from the smoker and cover with foil for about 10 minutes to allow it to rest.
- Shred the chicken and mix into the queso. Top with a combination of chopped pickles and pickled jalapenos. Serve with tortilla chips of your choosing.
4. Crock-Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. frozen meatballs
- 2 c. bbq sauce
- 1 (12-oz.) jar grape jelly
- 1/4 c. sriracha
Instructions:
- Place meatballs in bowl of a slow cooker and pour bbq sauce, grape jelly, and sriracha over. Stir to coat meatballs.
- Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Stir meatballs before serving.
5. S’mores Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Prepare brownies according to the package instructions and bake in a greased pan.
- During the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate chips on top.
- Return to oven and bake until marshmallows are toasted and chocolate is melted. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
6. Sticky Honey Garlic Cauliflower Wings
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower
- Eggs
- Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
- Seasonings (chili powder, paprika, garlic and onion powder)
- Salt and pepper
- Honey
- Soy Sauce (I used low sodium)
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger (or 1/4 tsp dried ginger)
- Cornstarch
Instructions:
- First cut up your cauliflower into florets, trimming off any long stems, and try to keep the cauliflower florets similar in size so that they all cook evenly.
- Next, get two separate bowls, adding the eggs to one bowl and the panko breadcrumbs and seasonings to the other. Dredge the cauliflower florets in the egg wash first then coat them in the breadcrumbs and place on the wire rack of your air fryer.
- Air fry the cauliflower wings at 400 degrees for about 6 minutes, open up the air fryer and flip them over, then air fry again for another 6 minutes until golden and crispy.
- While the cauli wings are in the air fryer, whisk together all the ingredients for the honey garlic sauce and bring the sauce to a boil on the stove. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Toss the cauliflower wings with the honey garlic sauce until completely coated and top with sesame seeds and green onions. The most delicious sticky cauliflower wings are ready to be served!
With these game day recipes, your football party is sure to be a hit. Whether you’re craving something classic like a Cuban Sandwich, or a S'more Brownie, these recipes offer something for every palate. So gather your team, prepare these delicious dishes, and get ready for an unforgettable game day experience. Touchdown!
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