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Big Game Party Recipes

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It's PARTY TIME. The big game is next week, time to make a plan and stock the fridge. Fire up that crock pot, oven, and grill—time to pig out.

graphic for the big game recipe roundup

Table of Contents

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Introduction

After Thanksgiving, big game day is considered the second most important "food holiday." Food is an essential part of any watch party, so it’s time to fire up with my annual watch party recipe roundup.

I almost always enjoy the game. But even if you don't enjoy the game, there is no reason not to have great food.

While I will admit to liking college football more than pro, I enjoy professional sports during their playoffs. They seem actually to try harder.

Personally, I’m a reformed Lions fan, which means I don't watch regular-season games, and they haven't been in the playoffs for years. So, I don't watch pro football other than the big game. It is nice not to waste that 3 hours every Sunday.

But is 7 hours of pregame programming needed? We will be enjoying the puppy bowl part of that time. OK, I'm off task, back to the food.

Let's divide the recommendations into four classes, finger foods, chili, main courses, and sweets.

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🖐️Finger Food Recipes

If you are hosting a party, finger foods are great for watching the game and munching. Here are some of my best.

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
No frying is needed to get great crispy skin on your game day wings. Toss in homemade Buffalo sauce, and you have an American favorite. You can easily make these at home with one secret ingredient. Plus, it is healthier.
Check Out This Recipe
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings from 101 Cooking for Two
Blue Cheese Dip
A great homemade Blue Cheese Dip is just what you need for those buffalo chicken wings and the vegetables. It is the required dipping sauce. You can make this creamy dish with these easy step by step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
image of Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce in a blue bowl
Quick French Bread Pizza
Delicious quick and easy French bread pizza is perfect for that quick evening meal or a party. And at only 20 minutes, it's faster than a speeding pizza dude. 
Check Out This Recipe
Quick French Bread Pizza from 101 Cooking for Two
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps
What could go wrong with bacon, sugar, and spices? Cubes of chicken wrapped in bacon and coated with brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin? Great finger food for that "bring a dish" party.
Check Out This Recipe
bacon chicken wrapped chicken on a toothpick
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Sweet and spicy fresh pineapple mango salsa is the perfect change of pace to everybody's favorite side dish. An easy-to-make fresh fruit salsa will go with fish, chicken, tacos, or used as a dip.
Check Out This Recipe
pineapple mango salsa on a corn chip
Simple Homemade Guacamole
Nothing is better than this simple homemade guacamole. An authentic recipe using only fresh ingredients and ready in about 10 minutes.  Everybody will love it for a party but easy enough for everyday meals.
Check Out This Recipe
Guacamole on a chip over a bowl
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🥣Chili Recipes

To me, the watch party must have chili. You can check all my chili recipes in my chili category. But here are some of my favorites.

Easiest Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
The ultimate dump-and-go crock pot white chicken chili with salsa recipe only needs five ingredients. Only 10 minutes prep and shredded chicken, white beans, pepper jack cheese, and some salsa will get your new favorite chili. Scaled-down for a smaller crock pot or adjust the amount to your needs.
Check Out This Recipe
White Chicken Chili on a spoon over bowl
Crock Pot Chili
Super easy to make and one of the best homemade chilies you will ever have. This versatile chili is perfect in a smaller crock pot and can easily be adjusted to your taste and needs.
Check Out This Recipe
orange bowl with chili with cheese
Stew Meat Chili - Chili Con Carne
Super easy dump and go chunky stew meat chili. Also known as Chili Con Carne—think of it as almost Texas chili but with beans. Make is smaller chili con carne recipe in your crock pot or on the stovetop for an excellent chili bursting with flavor.
Check Out This Recipe
Stew Meat Chili in a spoon over a blue bowl
Salsa Verde Chicken Chili
Making this great change of pace chili is easy in a crock pot or on the stovetop. With just a few pantry ingredients and precooked chicken, everybody will be impressed with the results.
Check Out This Recipe
spoonful of Salsa Verde Chicken Chili over a white bowl
Healthy Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Originally named "Low-Fat High-Taste" chicken chili by my wife, this healthy dinner has everything you want in great white bean chicken chili. It is dump-and-go easy with a wonderful mellow taste with just the right touch of heat.
Check Out This Recipe
Low Fat Crock Pot Chicken Chili on a spoon
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🥘Main Course Recipes

Maybe you are having more of a dinner. Here are some classics in all three food groups: beef, pork, and chicken.

The Best Ground Beef Taco Meat in 25 Minutes
Great Mexican for all—taco Tuesday will never be the same. Once you have the best taco meat, make the best tacos or excellent nachos, or use it in many other ways.
Check Out This Recipe
taco meat on nachos
Oven Pulled Pork - Low & Slow Pork Butt
Cooking pork butt in an oven produces perfect tender and flavor-packed pulled pork. Cover with a simple dry rub, then roast low and slow in your oven. This easy recipe takes minimal preparation time and almost no skill.
Check Out This Recipe
pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce
Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way
Great melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork butt is now an easy and economical BBQ dinner recipe. Cooked all day low and slow in your crock pot, pork butt becomes pull-apart tender for the best barbecue pulled pork sandwiches.
Check Out This Recipe
Pulled pork with sauce in a bun on a blue plate
Crock Pot French Dip with Au Jus
Melt-in-your-mouth French dip sandwiches are a casual dinner classic. One of your favorite recipe dishes can now be easily made at home with pantry ingredients and a crockpot.
Check Out This Recipe
French dip sandwich with au jus
Kansas City Oven Baked BBQ Beef Brisket
Great BBQ for everybody! Serve up some tasty and tender brisket with this ultimate easy recipe–only two ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep. What could be better? A never failed recipe we have used for 45 years.
Check Out This Recipe
Oven Baked BBQ Brisket from 101 Cooking for Two
Oven Baked Chicken Legs - The Art of Drummies
Oven baked chicken legs are a simple dinner the whole family will love. Just trim, pat dry, simple spices, and bake them in the oven. You will have perfect crispy, juicy chicken legs every time with these easy step by step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
Baked chicken legs on a white plate
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🍬Sweets Recipes

No party or dinner is complete without something sweet. Give them something great to talk about that you can make ahead.

Cheesecake Bars
Perfect for any occasion, these creamy New York cheesecake bars will impress your friends and family. Scaled to a smaller occasion but easy to double or freeze.
Check Out This Recipe
Image of a cheesecake bars being held
Crock Pot White Chocolate Almond Clusters
Super easy and delicious white chocolate almond clusters are the perfect gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Simple with these step by step photo instruction for the perfect white chocolate candy.
Check Out This Recipe
white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate
Easy Lemon Bars
Six ingredients are all you need for these easy (and best) lemon bars. Bursting with great sweet-tart lemon taste and a buttery shortbread crust, they are everything a lemon bar should be. Perfect for every day or take them to any special gathering.
Check Out This Recipe
two lemon bars on a white plate
Easy Oreo Fudge
Outstanding Oreo fudge that is packed with bits of crushed Oreo cookies in great tasting sweet white fudge that will practically melt in your mouth. Only four ingredients and ultra-simple. Great for the office holiday party or a gift.
Check Out This Recipe
closeup image of oreo fudge
Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Chocolate peanut clusters make the perfect holiday sweet treat. With just 5 minutes of preparation time, three ingredients, and your crock pot, your delicious chocolate peanut clusters make the perfect holiday gift, a cookie exchange, or a treat for the office Christmas party.
Check Out This Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Clusters on a red plate
Easy Candied Almonds
Candied almonds are easy to make and have a delicious mouthwatering crunchy cinnamon-vanilla crust. You only need a few ingredients and minimal skill. They make the perfect holiday gift or just a snack for the party.
Check Out This Recipe
finished candied nuts on the cooking tray with white parechment paper

Have a great watch party.

DrDan

LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE. Please follow your local Health Department recommendations for gatherings.

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Editor note: Originally Published . This post will be refreshed yearly with my current recommendations.

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  1. Catherine

    . My Sunday menu has been planned, thanks to you. I’ve already tried many of these; not only easy but delicious.

    Reply

  2. Annette

    Yum! I will be watching the game at your house! :O)

    Reply