The Real MVPs: 19 Game Day Recipes That Always Score

The best part of game day? OBVIOUSLY the food! And these are the MVPs of game-day spreads. Sliders, dips, nachos, snack mixes, and more, these recipes won’t disappoint.

Pizza Sliders

These easy, cheesy pizza sliders make a hearty snack to share on game day, at a party, or to have a meaty and flavorful dinner. With Italian sausage, cheese, pepperoni, sauce and garlic butter piled into sweet rolls, these are easy and sure to satisfy. 

Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Serve up a batch of these air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites and you’ll be shocked at how fast a platter of vegetables will be eaten! Not only is this recipe incredibly easy to make and quick to cook, but it’s also an incredibly delicious way to eat cauliflower, and make a great addition to game day spreads.

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.

Shredded Chicken Nachos

These shredded chicken nachos are loaded with layers of crunchy tortilla chips, shredded salsa chicken, beans, and two layers of cheese. After a quick broil, it’s time to top with the perfect nacho toppings your heart desires. These loaded chicken nachos are the perfect blend of crunch, spice, and savory goodness. 

Get the Recipe: Shredded Chicken Nachos.

Chili Cheese Dip

This chili cheese dip starts with a can of Hormel and makes the perfect snack to share with friends. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers for a three-ingredient party food that guests will devour! Luckily for you, it is so easy to make, you can have a second batch underway in moments.

Get the Recipe: Chili Cheese Dip.

Meatball Sliders

These hearty sliders lean on frozen meatballs for a quick and convenient shortcut! Layers of cheese, meatballs, marinara, and Hawaiian rolls are finished off with a garlic butter sauce for delicious Italian flavors in every bite. They might be finished in a few bites but they deliver big and bold flavor!

Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Meatball Sliders.

Black Bean Hummus

Skip the canned chickpeas and make this hummus with black beans instead. It is creamy, delicious, and best of all easy! It’s a wholesome and homemade snack. Serve with plenty of veggies and tortilla chips or pita crackers.

Get the Recipe: Black Bean Hummus.

Ranch Cheez-It Snack Mix

This Cheez-It snack mix has it all! Salty pretzels, cheesy crackers, satisfying nuts…all mixed up with ranch seasoning and baked to bring it all together. It’s perfect for holiday gifting, game days, movie or game nights at home, or as an anytime snack.

Get the Recipe: Ranch Snack Mix.

Fried Mac and Cheese Bites

If you love mac and cheese, you’ll flip for these fried mac and cheese bites! Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these bite-sized snacks are packed with all the comforting flavors of mac and cheese and then deep-fried to perfection.

Get the Recipe: Fried Mac and Cheese Bites.

Sloppy Joe Sliders

Saucy sloppy joe sliders topped with cheese make the best weeknight dinner! These are so easy, and the whole family will love them. Serve with fries, a side salad, or something simple like chips. 

Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Sliders.

Old Bay Steamed Shrimp

This Old Bay steamed shrimp recipe is a great way to give a classic shrimp cocktail a little upgrade and extra flavor. It’s mild in flavor, but everyone will wonder how you made it because it tastes so good! Serve this shrimp as a peel-and-eat appetizer along with a snack-y spread.

Get the Recipe: Old Bay Steamed Shrimp.

Pepperoni Pizza Dip

Bring the cheesy goodness of pizza to a party sized dish so everyone can dive in. This dip comes together with cream cheese, pizza sauce and plenty of pepperoni. Serve with crackers, breadsticks or chips if you like.

Get the Recipe: Pepperoni Pizza Dip.

Roasted Corn Salsa

Make this roasted corn salsa with plenty of poblanos, red onions, citrus, and cilantro for big flavor in each bite. Serve with quality tortilla chips. If it tastes familiar, it’s because it’s a copycat Chipotle recipe!

Get the Recipe: Roasted Corn Salsa.

Hawaiian Roll Turkey Sliders

Caramelized onions and mushrooms layered with cheese and slices of turkey make the best sliders. These are so easy that you can make them on the busiest weeknight for a 30-minute meal. These might be easy but they deliver amazing flavors in each bite.

Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Roll Turkey Sliders.

Cowboy Caviar

Don’t tell the party guests that this bean dip is secretly super-nutritious – it is bound to be gobbled up based on flavor alone! Made with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, two types of beans, and a tangy dressing, it’s hard to stop eating this dip! Serve with tortilla chips or crackers for a scoopable snack that everyone always adores.

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sliders

A small batch of shredded beef sliders makes quite a meal. Pop a pound of chuck roast into your slow cooker and add some homemade BBQ sauce to the mix to make the best sandwiches. Top with something tangy and crunchy like a slaw and pickled red onions.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sandwiches.

Cheesy Street Corn Dip

This street corn dip takes the traditional (and beloved) flavors of Mexican street corn and turns them into a dippable form. Roasted corn, sour cream, mayo, Tajin, and plenty of cheese are baked together for an extra-cheesy dip. This elote dip comes together really quickly, is made with simple ingredients, and is always a crowd-pleaser and the perfect appetizer for game days or parties.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Street Corn Dip.

Mini Mozzarella Bites with Jalapeño Ranch 

Grab some mozzarella cheese balls and fry them, then offer a bowl of jalapeno ranch as a dip. This easy snack is so good, with the ideal blend of cool creaminess and spicy pepper heat. Serve these as an afternoon snack or make them for an elegant spin on a classic appetizer at your next party.

Get the Recipe: Mini Mozzarella Bites with Jalapeno Ranch.

Hot Italian Sliders

This delicious recipe brings the flavor of grinders to sliders. Layers of deli meats and cheese, zesty mayo, and peppers make these so good that you can serve them as an appetizer or make a meal of them with a side of marinara for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Hot Italian Sliders.

Best Shrimp Ceviche

This delicious shrimp ceviche recipe was made for a party! It’s simple, refreshing, and quite impressive. Made with fresh, simple ingredients, just mix them together and allow them to “cook” in the refrigerator for several hours before serving. 

Get the Recipe: Best Shrimp Ceviche.