Game day deserves more than a bag of chips and a store-bought dip. Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, watching the playoffs, or just gathering friends for the big game, these recipes cover everything from slow cooker chili and pulled pork sliders to loaded nachos and the best sausage balls you’ll ever try.
Most of these can be made ahead or set in the slow cooker, so you can actually sit down and enjoy the game with everyone else.
You’ll find everything organized by type below: hearty chili and soups, sliders and sandwiches, and all the shareable snacks and dips to round out the spread.
Chili & Soups
Nothing anchors a game day spread like a big pot of something hearty simmering away. These chili and soup recipes are made for feeding a crowd without a lot of fuss. Set one up in the slow cooker before kickoff, put out some toppings, and let people serve themselves all game long.
This classic beef chili is thick, rich, and incredibly flavorful. Made with ground beef, beans, and a blend of zesty seasonings, it's comfort food at its best.
This old-fashioned cowboy chili comes together with everyday ingredients for a bold, hearty meal everyone loves. Freezer-friendly and easy to make ahead!
If you want game day food that actually fills people up, this is your section. Sloppy joes, pulled pork, meatball subs, and a whole lineup of sliders that are easy to make in big batches and even easier to eat standing up with a plate in one hand.
The perfect weeknight dinner or make-ahead party appetizer, these hanky panky sliders are stuffed with ground beef, sausage, and cheese, and finished with a sweet-and-savory garlic butter sauce!
These hot ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls are a quick, freezer-friendly, make ahead meal that's perfect for busy weeknight dinners, tailgates, get-togethers with friends, and church potlucks!
These sweet and tangy Crock Pot grape jelly meatballs are a 3-ingredient appetizer that's perfect for parties, game day, or easy weeknight dinners. Just dump, stir, and let the slow cooker do the work!
A zesty ground beef and hot dog filling is topped with melted cheddar and a golden cornbread crust for an easy, family-friendly weeknight dinner. All the flavors of a chili cheese dog in casserole form!
Every game day spread needs a supporting cast. These are the recipes people gather around before the main event (and keep coming back to all game long). Quick dips, easy finger foods, and a couple of loaded nacho situations that honestly could be a meal on their own.
You only need three ingredients for these sausage balls, which are an easy appetizer for holiday parties or a quick make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings!
A tray of these easy loaded beef nachos makes a fun weeknight dinner or game day snack. Layers of seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and crispy tortilla chips come together in about 30 minutes.
This creamy crab dip is loaded with tender lump crabmeat and comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it cold or bake it until warm and bubbly for an easy appetizer everyone will love!
It depends on your group size and how long people will be eating.
For a smaller gathering (4-6 people), one big-batch main like chili or pulled pork plus a dip and a snack is plenty.
For a medium group (8-12), plan for one hearty main, a slider or sandwich option, 2 dips, and one finger food like sausage balls or nachos.
For a larger crowd (15-20+), go with 2 mains (a slow cooker option and something handheld like sliders), 2-3 dips, and at least one shareable snack. The slow cooker recipes in this collection are great for bigger groups since they stay warm and people can serve themselves buffet-style throughout the game.
How do I plan and prep game day food ahead of time?
The easiest approach is to build your menu around 1-2 make-ahead recipes and 1-2 quick day-of items. Most of the slow cooker recipes here (chili, pulled pork, taco soup, gumbo) can be made a full day ahead and reheated.
Dips like spinach dip and corn dip can be assembled the morning of. Sausage balls and pinwheels can be prepped and refrigerated overnight, then baked right before guests arrive.
If you start with a slow cooker main the night before or morning of, you’ll free up your day for the quick-assembly items and actually get to enjoy the game.
What’s an easy game day menu if I don’t want to cook all day?
Pick one from each group and you’re set. A few combinations that work well:
The Classic: Crockpot White Chicken Chili + Bisquick Sausage Balls + 5-Minute Corn Dip
The Slider Spread: Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken on slider buns + Ground Beef Nachos + 4-Ingredient Spinach Dip
The Low-Effort Crowd-Pleaser: Easy Taco Soup (slow cooker) + Italian Pinwheels + Crab Dip
All three options keep active cooking time to a minimum. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, the dip takes minutes, and the snack is either no-cook or quick assembly.
Whether you’re going all out with a full spread or just need one great slow cooker recipe and a dip on the side, these game day favorites have you covered. Save this post, share it with your crew, and enjoy the game knowing the food is handled.
Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!
⭐️ Love chili for game day?
Check out our full 20 Best Chili Recipes collection for even more options.