Easy Game Day Recipes

It's almost time for the Big Game. Whether you're planning a big party, or just a small get-together, these six game day recipes are sure to be a big touchdown with your crowd. Gather your friends, grab your groceries, and get ready for a great game!

Six Appetizers for the Big Game

1. French Onion Dip

Skip the store-bought imitation and go with the real thing. This French onion dip is so good, you'll never turn back to the pre-made product!

Borrowed from our friends at Food52.

Grocery List

Onion Jam

• 2 large red onions
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• ¼ cup white wine or dry vermouth

The Dip

• 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup sour cream

How It's Done

Onion Jam

1. Peel and slice the onions into fine half-moons. Sweat the onions over a medium-low heat with olive oil in a heavy pan until they begin to caramelize and brown, about 15 minutes.
2. Add thyme leaves and granulated sugar, then cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the sugar is melted and the onions are well caramelized.
3. Add white wine or vermouth to the pan. Work quickly, stirring and scraping to deglaze the pan of all the sticky, browned bits from the bottom. Continue stirring until the liquid has completely evaporated. Turn off the heat, and set aside to cool.
4. You can do this step ahead of time and place the jam into a sterilized jar, which will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

The Dip

1. Start by beating cream cheese with a wooden spoon or  electric mixer until it is completely smooth. Add the sour cream and beat again until combined. Mixture should have a smooth, thick consistency.
2. Add the cooled onion jam, leaving some aside for garnish if desired, and mix together.
3. Serve the smooth, creamy dip spread out on a plate, and top with a tangle of onions for a garnish.

2. BBQ Meatballs

BBQ meatballs make in many menus for game day parties, and for good reason. Crowd-pleasing and simple, these bite-sized BBQ beef snacks are sure to be a hit.

Borrowed from our friends at Taste of Home.

Grocery List

Meatballs

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 5 ounces evaporated milk
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef

Sauce

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

How It's Done Meatballs

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, except the ground beef.
2. Then crumble the ground beef over mixture and incorporate everything well.
3. Shape ground beef mixture into 1-inch balls, and place them onto a greased rack in a shallow baking pan.
4. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
5. Drain any excess grease.

Sauce

1. Combine all of the ingredient for the sauce in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Pour over meatballs.
5. Bake an additional 10-12 minutes.

3. Easy Pimiento Cheese

Ask any Southerner what their favorite snack is and there's a good chance they'll say pimento cheese. This game time staple is easy to make and the perfect dipping chips, pita, pretzels, and more.

Grocery List

• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise (Hellmann's or Duke's are traditional)
• 4-ounce jar diced pimiento, drained
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon finely grated onion
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

How It's Done

1. In a large bowl, stir together mayonnaise, diced pimiento, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and cayenne pepper.
2. Stir in cheese, then enjoy.

4. Oven-baked Buffalo Wings

The granddaddy of all game day recipes. Buffalo wings are synonymous with football, and they're even better when they're oven baked, saving the hassle of frying. Serve with carrots, celery, and blue cheese dressing.

Borrowed from our friends at Simply Recipes.

Grocery List

• 2 pounds chicken wings (about 12 wings)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons bottled hot sauce (like Frank's Original)
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

How It's Done

1. To prepare the wings, cut off the wing tips and either discard or reserve for other use such as making stock. Next, cut wings at the joint, then place pieces in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Create a marinade by stirring together the melted butter, hot pepper sauce, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper in a large bowl. Measure out two tablespoons of the marinade and set aside to coat the wings after they come out of the oven.
3. Add the chicken wings to the marinade and toss to coat. Allow the chicken wings to marinate at room temperature for half an hour.
4. Place the marinated wings on the rack of a broiler pan and discard the remaining marinade in the bowl.
5. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat until chicken is tender and no longer pink; about 10 minutes on each side.
6. Remove the chicken wings from oven and baste with the two tablespoons of reserved marinade. NOTE: Do not use the marinade that was in contact with the raw chicken.

5. Jalapeño Popper Dip

This simple, and easy, jalapeño popper dip is sure to add some heat to the party. You can whip up a batch in no time and serve it up with tortilla or pita chips on the side.

Borrowed from our friends at Delish.

Grocery List

• 10 slices bacon
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 jalapeños, minced
• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper

How It's Done

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon in batches over medium heat until crispy (about 8 minutes). Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then chop.
3. Next, stir together cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, most of cooked bacon (reserve some for topping), most of the jalapeños (reserve some for topping), and 1 cup each cheddar and Monterey Jack in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Transfer to a small oven-safe skillet or baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cups cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, cooked bacon, and jalapeño.
5. Bake until dip is golden and bubbly, about 15 to 20 minutes.

6. 7 Layer Dip

This perfect party dip never goes out of style. While this recipe is for a basic 7 layer dip, you can feel free to add your favorite additions, such as ground beef, pickled jalapeños, or black beans.

Grocery List

• 16 ounces refried beans
• 1 ¼ ounces taco seasoning
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup guacamole
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup lettuce
• 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces sliced olives
• 1 cup tomatoes

How It's Done

1. Mix refried beans with taco seasoning.
2. Layer in this order: refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, cheese, sliced olives, tomatoes.

Get ready for the event of the year with these great game day recipes. If you love these amazing appetizers, share them with your friends on social media!

Related Posts

• Healthy RV Meals
• Quick BBQ Tips for Campers
• Cheese & Bacon Wrapped Meatball Wolf'em