Score Big with Pre - Made Football Feasts

Game days are a time of excitement, whether you're cheering for your favorite team at the stadium or hosting a viewing party at home. And what's a game day without delicious food? The key to a stress - free and enjoyable game day is having recipes that you can prepare in advance. Here are some of our top football recipes that are perfect for those busy game days.
First up, we have the classic buffalo chicken dip. This dip is a crowd - pleaser and can be made well in advance. To make it, start by cooking 2 cups of shredded chicken in a skillet with some olive oil. Add 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce and let the chicken soak up the flavor. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of ranch dressing, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix in the buffalo - coated chicken. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top it with more shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can serve it with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks. The combination of the spicy buffalo chicken and the creamy dip is simply irresistible.
Another great make - ahead option is the bacon - wrapped jalapeno poppers. These bite - sized treats are full of flavor. Take some fresh jalapenos and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membranes. In a bowl, mix 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and a little bit of garlic powder. Stuff the jalapeno halves with the cheese mixture. Then, wrap each stuffed jalapeno half with a strip of bacon. Secure the bacon with a toothpick. You can either bake these poppers at 375°F for about 25 - 30 minutes until the bacon is crispy or cook them on a grill. These poppers can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just pop them in the oven or on the grill when it's game time.
For those who love pizza, a make - ahead pizza casserole is a great choice. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet until browned. Drain the fat. Add 1 jar of pizza sauce, 1/2 cup of water, and some Italian seasoning to the beef. Stir well. In a baking dish, layer 1/2 of a bag of uncooked penne pasta. Pour half of the beef - sauce mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers. Top with more mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This casserole can be assembled a day in advance and kept in the fridge. Just add some extra time to the baking process if it's cold from the refrigerator.
If you're looking for a healthier option, consider a vegetable and hummus platter. Wash and cut a variety of vegetables such as cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and cauliflower into bite - sized pieces. You can make your own hummus or buy it from the store. Arrange the vegetables on a large platter and place a bowl of hummus in the center. This platter can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. It's a refreshing and nutritious addition to your game - day spread.
Lastly, don't forget about the desserts. A chocolate chip cookie bar is a great make - ahead dessert. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of brown sugar. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well. In another bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of all - purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir in 2 cups of chocolate chips. Press the dough into a greased 9x13 - inch baking pan. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Let it cool completely before cutting into bars. These cookie bars can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container.
With these make - ahead football food ideas, you can focus on enjoying the game without having to worry about spending hours in the kitchen. So, get your recipes ready, invite your friends over, and have a fantastic game day!