Close
Photo: Jennifer Causey
Fall has different meanings to everyone, and one of the things it means to me is football season. So much so that one of my favorite memories from growing up was watching my family’s favorite team with my brothers and dad on the living room couch. Since going to college at Michigan State University (go green!), football has become synonymous with tailgates and hosting. And the one thing thatreallymakes the tailgate is the food. Many dishes are great for sharing, but these are some of my favorite tailgating recipes for many reasons. First, these recipes rely on budget-friendly ingredients like legumes, frozen vegetables and condiments or spices I have on hand. Second, they’re easy to make and feed a crowd, especially if you double the recipe. And lastly, this list includes comfort food all-stars like chili and nachos, but each recipe is packed with vegetables, legumes and whole grains for something that’s equally as cozy as it’s balanced. For me, a tailgate isn’t a tailgate without buffalo wings or creamy dips, and our Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip is truly the best of both worlds. For something that’s more fresh, our Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Peppers takes just 20 minutes of active time and is super flavorful, nutritious and filling. Whether hosting or attending a game day potluck, try out some of these recipes for your next tailgate. For more budget- and beginner-friendly cooking tips, check outThrifty.
01of 14Baked Buffalo Chicken WingsView RecipeJennifer CauseyThese baked Buffalo chicken wings hit the oven, not the fryer, saving on fat and calories. Just like the original Buffalo wings, these baked Buffalo wings are coated in a tangy, spicy sauce and served with carrots, celery and your favorite creamy dipping sauce.
01of 14
Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
View Recipe
Jennifer Causey
These baked Buffalo chicken wings hit the oven, not the fryer, saving on fat and calories. Just like the original Buffalo wings, these baked Buffalo wings are coated in a tangy, spicy sauce and served with carrots, celery and your favorite creamy dipping sauce.
02of 14Baked Feta Spinach-Artichoke DipView RecipeGreg DuPreeThis take on classic warm artichoke dip features tangy feta cheese. If you can find frozen artichokes, swap them in for the canned version to cut back on sodium. Serve with tortilla chips and crudités for dipping.
02of 14
Baked Feta Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Greg DuPree
This take on classic warm artichoke dip features tangy feta cheese. If you can find frozen artichokes, swap them in for the canned version to cut back on sodium. Serve with tortilla chips and crudités for dipping.
03of 14
Chunky Black Bean Salsa with Corn & Bell Pepper
Fred Hardy
04of 14Sweet Potato & Black Bean ChiliView RecipePhotographer/Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist/Kay Clarke, Food Stylist/Emily Nabors HallMake a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.
04of 14
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Photographer/Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist/Kay Clarke, Food Stylist/Emily Nabors Hall
Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.
05of 14Sheet-Pan Caprese PizzaView RecipeThis light and flavorful caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it’d be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Chef tip: let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it—it’ll make it much easier to work with.
05of 14
Sheet-Pan Caprese Pizza
This light and flavorful caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it’d be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Chef tip: let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it—it’ll make it much easier to work with.
06of 14Loaded Black Bean DipView RecipeThis is 7-layer black bean dip simplified: just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.
06of 14
Loaded Black Bean Dip
This is 7-layer black bean dip simplified: just heat and season refried beans, then top with fresh vegetables for a texturally exciting dip.
07of 14Fresh Tomato SalsaView RecipeJason DonnellyThis easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.
07of 14
Fresh Tomato Salsa
Jason Donnelly
This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.
08of 14Loaded Sheet-Pan NachosView RecipeThis quick and easy Super Bowl recipe has been referred to as “the best nachos people have ever had.” With easy-to-find ingredients, an optional pop of tang and spice from the pickled jalapeños, and the salsa verde and sour cream for serving, we think it’s earned its title!
08of 14
Loaded Sheet-Pan Nachos
This quick and easy Super Bowl recipe has been referred to as “the best nachos people have ever had.” With easy-to-find ingredients, an optional pop of tang and spice from the pickled jalapeños, and the salsa verde and sour cream for serving, we think it’s earned its title!
09of 14Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken DipView RecipeThis healthy copycat recipe for classic Buffalo dip cooks in your slow cooker for an easy, hands-off appetizer you can keep warm for the whole game, party or any casual gathering. Serve with carrot sticks, celery sticks and tortilla chips for dipping.
09of 14
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
This healthy copycat recipe for classic Buffalo dip cooks in your slow cooker for an easy, hands-off appetizer you can keep warm for the whole game, party or any casual gathering. Serve with carrot sticks, celery sticks and tortilla chips for dipping.
10of 14Spinach-Feta Dip with DillView RecipeTry this spinach dip, spiked with fresh dill and briny feta cheese, as a sandwich spread—or serve alongside crackers or crudité.
10of 14
Spinach-Feta Dip with Dill
Try this spinach dip, spiked with fresh dill and briny feta cheese, as a sandwich spread—or serve alongside crackers or crudité.
11of 14Mom’s ChiliView RecipeThis healthy basic beef chili recipe is well worth doubling so you can throw a batch in the freezer. Serve topped with diced red onion, sliced scallions, shredded cheese and your favorite hot sauce.
11of 14
Mom’s Chili
This healthy basic beef chili recipe is well worth doubling so you can throw a batch in the freezer. Serve topped with diced red onion, sliced scallions, shredded cheese and your favorite hot sauce.
12of 14
Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
13of 14Almost Chipotle’s GuacamoleView RecipeMake guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle—but don’t worry, our version won’t be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.
13of 14
Almost Chipotle’s Guacamole
Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle—but don’t worry, our version won’t be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.
14of 14Spicy Cabbage SlawView RecipeSliced radishes add a peppery kick to this 10-minute slaw, which can serve as both a side and a topping for sandwiches.
14of 14
Spicy Cabbage Slaw
Sliced radishes add a peppery kick to this 10-minute slaw, which can serve as both a side and a topping for sandwiches.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
