Football and food go together. So break out a new playbook this year, and change up your usual recipes with some ideas from famous chefs. Everyone from Jamie Oliver to Alton Brown has game-day recipes to try this year.
Related: 30 Tailgating Recipes to Feed a Crowd
Rachael Ray’s Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Hoagies
If you’re looking for a hearty sandwich to be the centerpiece of your spread, Rachael Ray’s hoagie recipe might fill the bill. It’s a classic Italian combination that would go well with all kinds of other party food.
Recipe: Food Network
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Guy Fieri’s Pigs in Spicy Blankets
Make a fancy, from-scratch version of pigs in a blanket with this recipe from “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” star Guy Fieri. The “pigs” are homemade pork sausages wrapped in a dough seasoned with Italian spices and cheese.
Recipe: Food Network
Related: Old-School Appetizers That We Still Secretly Love
Anthony Bourdain’s Macaroni and Cheese
Cheese will always have a place at the football party table, so naturally macaroni and cheese is a shoo-in. Anthony Bourdain’s recipe is about as classic as it gets, with four kinds of cheese and some optional ham. (Love mac and cheese? Here are 21 Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know.)
Recipe: Splendid Table
Related: 20 Super Simple Twists on Boxed Mac and Cheese
Sandra Lee’s Grilled Jalapeño Poppers
With only three ingredients, Sandra Lee’s recipe for grilled jalapeño poppers is about as simple as it gets. If you’re planning to fire up the grill for burgers or sausages anyway, you may as well throw on these, too.
Recipe: Food Network
Bobby Flay’s Green Pork Chili
Make-ahead recipes are king for game day parties, especially if your team is playing and you don’t want to miss a second of the game. You can make this Bobby Flay green pork chili a day or two before the big game and it’ll only taste better. The same is true for these 13 Regional Chili Recipes, too.
Recipe: Food Network
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Giada De Laurentiis’ Sweet and Sour Pork Sliders
Best known for her Italian cooking, Giada De Laurentiis switches things up with her Asian-inspired sweet and sour pork sliders. Unlike most pork slider recipes, this one uses pork tenderloin for slices instead of the shredded pork that you’d get from cooking a shoulder. It’s topped with a vinaigrette-dressed slaw.
Recipe: Food Network
Gordon Ramsay’s Meatball Sandwiches
Change up the usual meatball bomber recipe with this version from Gordon Ramsay. Meatballs flavored with onion and garlic are nestled in a sub roll with mozzarella and no sauce — instead they’re topped with fresh salsa.
Recipe: Gordon Ramsay
Related: 15 Simple, Tasty Sandwiches That Cost $1 or Less to Make
Emeril Lagasse’s Muffaletta
One way to feed a big crowd is to make a couple of huge sandwiches that are cut into small slices or wedges. The New Orleans muffaletta is a classic example. Emeril Lagasse’s recipe uses olive salad, Italian meats, and cheeses on big round loaves of bread. (Find out which Historic Sandwich Shop Changed Lunch Forever with the muffaletta.)
Recipe: Emeril Lagasse
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Cat Cora’s Grilled Chile Lime Flank Steak Soft Tacos
Tacos are a perennial favorite for football parties. Skip the ground beef and try a taco filling that’s a little different with this grilled flank steak taco recipe from “Iron Chef” Cat Cora. Set up a toppings and salsa bar and let folks make their own creations.
Recipe: Cat Cora
Jamie Oliver’s Hummus
Hummus is a great party recipe: You can make it ahead of time, it’s pretty healthy, and you can dip anything into it. Jamie Oliver’s recipe couldn’t be simpler, with just five ingredients. Serve it with veggies, pita wedges, or tortilla chips for dipping.
Recipe: Jamie Oliver
Related: 17 Easy-to-Make Foods to Stop Buying at the Store
Tyler Florence’s Chili Dogs
Chili dogs are one of those foods that people often order at the stadium but never make themselves. Try Tyler Florence’s recipe for something fun and different.
Recipe: Food Network
Andrew Zimmern’s Buttermilk Onion Rings
Onion rings are another thing almost everyone loves but almost no one makes at home. For a major game day treat, break out the deep fryer and try this buttermilk-battered onion rings recipe from “Bizarre Foods” star Andrew Zimmern.
Recipe: Andrew Zimmern
Martha Stewart’s Red Pepper Relish
Leave it to Martha Stewart to share a recipe that offers an incredibly simple yet sophisticated take on basic red peppers. This versatile creation can be served with hearty bread or as a sandwich condiment on game day. A batch will last four days in the fridge if prepared in advance.
Recipe: Martha Stewart
Ree Drummond’s Mexican Layer Dip
It’s hard to go wrong with a retro classic such as layered Mexican dip. “Pioneer Woman” Ree Drummond has a super-simple version using canned refried beans and green chilies topped with all kinds of Tex-Mex favorites.
Recipe: The Pioneer Woman
Steven Raichlen’s Kansas City Baby Back Ribs
If you’ve got the correct smoking equipment and plenty of time, you can impress your home team with smoked ribs. Barbecue guru Steven Raichlen’s version of baby back ribs is a simple recipe that just takes a few hours on the grill.
Recipe: Barbecue Bible
Related: 15 Fantastic Regional Rib Recipes
Curtis Stone’s Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
Cooked, shredded chicken is mixed into a chipotle chile and tomato mixture for quesadillas in this recipe from Curtis Stone. Use the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken to save some time.
Recipe: Curtis Stone
Alton Brown’s Onion Dip Made from Scratch
Onion dip is a staple party food, but most people just buy it from the grocery store. Try making it yourself with this recipe from Alton Brown. It’s as easy as caramelizing some onions and mixing the ingredients together.
Recipe: Food Network
Ayesha Curry’s Cauliflower Hot Wings
Who doesn’t love Buffalo sauce, especially when they’re watching football? If you’ve got vegetarians coming to your place — or just want to add some veggies to the mix — try a spin on Buffalo wings from Ayesha Curry using cauliflower. The veggie is baked in batter for crunch, then doused in Buffalo sauce.
Recipe: Food Network
Aarón Sánchez’s Grilled Shrimp
Game day parties tend to have lots of rich, heavy foods. Go a little lighter with a recipe from Aarón Sánchez for grilled shrimp skewers brushed with orange-habanero mojo. You can also serve the sauce on the side for people wary of the spice. (If fiery food is your fave, check out these 15 Hot and Spicy Dishes, too.)
Recipe: Food Network
Gale Gand’s Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels are a favorite stadium snack, so why not recreate the experience at home? Gale Gand’s recipe is great as is, or served with cheese and other dips.
Recipe: Food Network
Martin Yan’s Pot Stickers
If you normally buy frozen pot stickers, try making them from scratch for game day. They’re easier than they seem, since the recipe uses premade pot sticker wrappers. Martin Yan’s filling includes ground pork, cabbage, and green onions.
Recipe: Yan Can Cook
Related: 15 Delicious Dumplings from Around the World
J. Kenji López-Alt’s French Bread Pizza
Instead of paying the delivery guy for pizza, make a few French bread pizzas. This recipe from J. Kenji López-Alt is pretty easy and feeds a crowd. You can customize the toppings, too.
Recipe: Serious Eats
Related: From Plain Cheese to Peking Duck: 25 Yummy Pizza Recipes
Ming Tsai’s Hot Soy Chicken Wings
With Buffalo-flavored everything on the market now, why not change it up with these Asian-fusion-inspired wings from Ming Tsai? They pair Roquefort and crème fraîche with soy sauce for a unique spin on a classic game day food.
Recipe: Food Network
Gina Neely’s Super Bowl Punch
It’s hard to go wrong with a fizzy and refreshing punch for a party. Gina Neely combines vodka, frozen limeade, beer, and club soda for a sparkling citrus cocktail.
Recipe: Food Network
Related: Spirits and Mixers Every Home Bar Should Have
Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars
Don’t forget to serve something sweet at your party. Bar cookies such as lemon bars are perfect because you can cut them into bite-size squares for nibbling. Ina Garten’s recipe makes a thick, tart lemon layer over crunchy shortbread.
Recipe: Food Network
Duff Goldman’s Fat & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
It’s hard to beat a classic chocolate chip cookie — everyone loves them. This recipe from Duff Goldman makes cookies that are big, soft, and totally satisfying.
Recipe: Delish
Related: 35 Finger Foods for Game Day Entertaining and Beyond
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