As The Only Football Fan At Delish, These Are The 10 Recipes I ALWAYS Bring To A Tailgate
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it was basically an inevitability that I'd become a huge sports fan, most particularly for the Steelers. Of course, there are other sports to follow and cheer for, but there's just something about football and fall—the leaves changing, the sweater wearing, the cozy vibes, the temperatures dropping—that make this time of year truly magical. But as a veteran editor who's been a part of many talented, creative teams, sometimes I've found myself to be the only football fan on staff, Delish included. The rest of my coworkers may not know much about football, but they certainly know a lot about food! So when I'm invited to a tailgate with folks who know I work in the food industry, I know I better step it up. Delish's honor is on the line, as well as whichever team wins the game. Luckily, I've got these 10 go-to dishes I can turn to whenever I have to live up to the challenge.
Be it a giant party sub that everyone can share, portable tots that folks can pick up and eat on the walk to the game, or an all-out football field in dip-form, these are the recipes that everyone at your next tailgate will love (I'm speaking from personal experience!). They've gotta be easy to make, easy to eat, and versatile enough for everyone to indulge in. Trust me: You'll soon become the most popular fan at any tailgate. Enjoy football season and let's go Steelers!
Giant Party Sub
This recipe is ingenious since you bake your bread in a Bundt pan (!!). The sandwich will steal the show at your tailgate, as it did at mine. In it, you'll find all the usual Italian sub suspects: pepperoni, salami, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, and a simple Italian seasoning-based dressing, but feel free to change it up!
Get the Giant Party Sub recipe.
Football Cookies
In charge of bringing dessert? Fellow fans will oooh and ahhh over these adorable football-shaped cookies. They're super-easy to make and ideal to scale up for a large group. Looking for even more fun football desserts? Check out this super-easy football cake too!
Get the Football Cookies recipe.
Football Field Dip
Hut, hut, DIP! Tailgating season is here, and this dip is the most crowd-pleasing way to impress the masses. Dipping into this edible football field will reveal layers of all of your favorite dips, spreads, and sauces packed into one dish.
Get the Football Field Dip recipe.
Meatball Sub Bites
At a tailgate, we all know that the less utensils needed, the better. The meatball sub is a hearty comfort food classic, but it can be onerous and sloppy to eat. Enter the meatball sub bite—a juicy herb and garlic meatball stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in crisp and chewy pizza dough, and served with spicy marinara.
Get the Meatball Sub Bites recipe.
Football Jell-O Shots
Let's face it, it's not a tailgate without a decent cocktail or mocktail to help wash down all that heavy food. If you're in need of a dessert plus a shot, fans, friends, and family are gonna love this one. Your tailgate simply won’t be complete without these adorable, football-shaped rum and Coke Jell-O shots.
Get the Football Jell-O Shots recipe.
Blooming Quesadilla Ring
Buffalo chicken is a must for tailgating, and the creamy, spicy filling here is one of our favorite ways to serve it. Trust me—a quesadilla ring is the best way to make quesadillas for a crowd. Place this in the center of your tailgating table and watch it disappear.
Get the Blooming Quesadilla Ring recipe.
Pull-Apart Spinach-Artichoke Football
Hopefully your game day spread is ready for all those hungry football fans running toward your tailgate with cases of beer in hand. That's why I always include this gem of a snack. Who doesn’t want a cheesy spinach-artichoke dip encased in pizza dough? Also shaped like a football?!!
Get the Pull-Apart Spinach-Artichoke Football recipe.
Tailgate Tots
If you’re looking for the cutest (and easiest) game day snack to bring to your next tailgate, look no further than these tailgate tots. See—they even sound cute!
Get the Tailgate Tots recipe.
Pigs In A Blanket
Tiny hot dogs are perfect for literally any tailgate. There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.
Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.
Pineapple BBQ Meatballs
These pineapple BBQ meatballs are juicy, tender, and glazed to perfection in a sauce made with sweet pineapple chunks. Stick a toothpick in each meatball for a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead tailgate appetizer.
Get the Pineapple BBQ Meatballs recipe.
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