These Gr8 game day recipes will make your football party fun and tasty. One of the biggest eating days of the year surrounds the big NFL Championship bowl game. Here are some big batch, make-ahead main courses, appetizers, and desserts to help you stay competitive on the second biggest eating day of the year!
So put on your stretchy pants and your oversized team jersey and get ready to enjoy the day!
Chili
Our favorite game day recipe is chili. We have four Gr8 dishes for you to choose from. Bake a batch of potatoes or make a big pot of rice, this will stretch the servings and make it heartier.
Scott's World Class Chili
If you choose to make Scott's World Class Chili, head first to the meat counter and ask them to cube the roast for you while you finish your shopping. This will save you time in the kitchen.
This dish simmers for 2 hours, so if you finish a half hour before kick-off, you should be good to go for serving at half-time.
Throw the washed potatoes in a 400ºF oven just as the game starts and they should be ready right on time. Or start the rice about 30 minutes before half-time.
Hearty (Heart Healthy) Turkey Chili
Our Turkey Chili is a healthier version of the classic ground beef chili that we all grew up eating.
Every time I've ever served this my guests come back for more...they don't even notice it's turkey!
To make this quicker, check your grocer's produce section for onions already diced and you can buy green pepper already cut in the freezer section.
This chili simmers for at least an hour, so if you finish just before kick-off, you will have a Gr8 meal at half-time!
Instant Pot Chili
If you're really in a hurry, make Instant Pot Chili!!! Another classic chili and this recipe begins with bacon, so you know it has to be good, right?!
Cheesy Chicken Chili
Switch things up and make this creamy cheesy Chicken Chili. You will be blown away by the rich spicy flavor and creamy consistency.
Pizza
Always a Gr8 idea!
Chicago Style
You don't want to miss Jurga's Deep Dish Skillet Pizza made in your cast iron. Cut it in big pieces for a meal or in small pieces as an appetizer!
Grilled Pizza
Use your grill to make pizza for the crowd. Everyone can choose their own toppings!
Appetizers
If you're game day recipes consist of appetizers, here are our winning ideas.
Nachos
Nachos are always a winner on game day. And these are "Nacho" Typical Nachos.
Full of cheese and chicken and beans these are practically a meal! With these amazing, spicy flavors, you may want to make two batches!!
Wings!
A classic for football watching. One of the best recipes is Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip. To make this quicker, check if your local meat counter already has the wings separated into pieces.
These wings literally go together in minutes and cook in under 15 minutes. Serve a store bought dip if you won't have time to make the dip.
And if you buy the celery and carrots already cut up, you have a beautiful presentation!
Quesadillas
Another appetizer that is easy and hearty is quesadillas. Jurga recently posted her favorite Portabello Quesadillas with Caramelized Onions.
The most time consuming part of these is caramelizing the onions. So, take that into account when planning.
You can have them all assembled and heat them up when you are ready to serve.
Spinach Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip is ALWAYS a crowd pleaser. The classic creamy flavors are loved by all.
Whip this up and keep it in a small crock pot or simmering over a candle and you will have everyone asking for the recipe!
Chips and Salsa
Probably one of the easiest and most loved appetizers to serve is fresh salsa. Buy a big bag of corn chips, set it all up next to the fresh veggie tray and all your guests will be satisfied.
We have several to choose from, or make them all!
Debbie is our salsa expert and she has generously shared both her Salsa Fresca and Salsa Verde recipes.
It may seem intimidating, but it goes together in your food processor or blender quickly...and just about EVERYBODY loves it!
If you want to serve a salsa that's a little different, try Kyle's colorful delicious Pomegranate-Avocado Salsa.
Popcorn
Not just for movies, one of my favorite, last minute, delicious, filling snack ideas is to whip up a batch of popcorn.
Did you know you can make your own DIY Microwave Popcorn? After you drizzle it with melted butter, here are a couple of tasty topping ideas:
- Grated Parmesan Cheese, add finely chopped parsley if you have it
- Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Add a couple Tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce to the 2 Tablespoons melted butter, drizzle over and toss
- Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Something Sweet
You could open a bag of cookies, but if you want to make it truly a Super Fun Food Day, here are a couple of sweet ideas.
Starting with this big batch of easy and yummy homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Everyone loves brownies! And it's a Gr8 dessert for a crowd. Try these Caramel Chocolate Chip Brownies, the recipe starts with a cake mix!
Some Trivia...
Question: Which famous jeweler makes the Super Bowl trophy?
Answer: Tiffany and Co. has been in charge of making the Super Bowl trophy since 1967.
The original design was sketched on a cocktail napkin during a lunch between Tiffany's then vice president Oscar Riedener and the NFL's then commissioner Pete Rozelle in New York City.
It takes four months and 72 hours for the trophy to be finished. Engraved on the trophy are the words, "Vince Lombardi Trophy," the roman numerals corresponding to that year's Super Bowl, and the logo of the NFL.
Details such as the winning team's name and score are engraved after the presentation of the trophy.
All the Recipes
A wrap-up of our game day recipes.
Be a Gr8 Friend and tell us what you think!