As we continue to countdown to the kickoff of the 2024 college football season we tackle a recap of last year’s tasty tailgate treats. Last week we recapped the 2021 and 2022 seasons of tasty tailgate treats. Which recipe was your favorite? This week we have all the recipes from the 2023 season. SO MANY TASTY TREATS to make your mouth water. All Y’all enjoy and let us know which one is your favorite.
Kickoff Weekend
We started 2023 with a collection of treats for the kickoff weekend. Since it is still warmer than football season should be we kept the recipes cool. Starting with a Midwest Mary that paired nicely with Cobb Salad Sub. As well as the Dilly Veggie Pizza. And who doesn’t love a tasty dip like the Irish Nacho Dip? Then you always need a little something sweet to top off the day. No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Cheese Balls and Meat Balls
Here at Last Word on College Football we seem to be partial to cheese balls, meatballs, and well any bite-sized treat that makes tailgating a little tastier. They are even better with football-themed names and a little splash of alcohol to enhance the flavors. Check out the collection of meatballs Sideline Sausage Balls, Bacon Cheeseburger Balls, and some Barbecue and Beer Meatballs. There are more cheese ball recipes than there are college football teams and these were two of the best. The Football BBQ Pulled Pork Cheese Ball and the Cracked Out Cheese Ball. Finishing up with another sweet treat Football Cookies and Cream Cheese Ball.
Cool Treats for Hot Games
As global warming keeps September on the toasty side we found some cool tasty treats to get you through the Noon kickoffs and the late afternoon heat. Starting with a couple of pasta salads like the Tailgating Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad and the BLT Pasta Salad. A Fruit Salsa is a tasty salsa alternative. Peach season is in full force so it is the perfect time to whip up a Sparkling Spiked Peach Lemonade.
When You Dip I Dip We Dip
Dips are a staple at a tailgate. Everything can be a dip if you mix enough stuff. Here is an exceptional collection of dips. A little spice and cheese to get the tailgate started Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip, Cheesy Black Bean Dip, and Beer Bacon and Cheese Dip. Then add some “healthy” dips with some Avocado Hummus and Buffalo Cauliflower Dip. Every tailgate party is always better with a few dips with funny names like Hissy Fit Dip and Booty Dip. You have to keep your guest happy and any one of these dips will do the trick.
A Slew of Sloppy Joes
Who doesn’t love a sloppy Joe? We have every flavor of sloppy Joe you can think of. Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes because there is Buffalo Chicken EVERYTHING. A tasty Italian twist Slow-Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes. As well as Moo Shu Sloppy Joes and Greek Sloppy Joes. For the traditionalist out there, the good Old Fashioned Sloppy Joe is the way to go.
Not Your Average Puff Pastry
Putting your favorite ingredients in a puff pastry makes almost everything bite-sized and isn’t everything better in a neat bite-sized package? Cajun Sausage Puffs With Bourbon Mustard are tasty enough to make any LSU fan’s mouth water. For all the mushroom lovers we have Mushroom Bundles. A little meat to keep your tailgate friends full we have Ham and Cheese Puff Pinwheels and Sausage Cream Cheese Puffs. You can’t have a puff pastry collection without the sweetest treat Salted Caramel Pecan Puff Pastry
Slider-ing Into October
Sliders are the best handheld sandwiches to have in one hand while you have your cocktail in the other hand. For the ungodly early morning tailgates for the Noon kickoffs Bagel Breakfast Sliders. They pair well with a bloody Mary. For the post-game and afternoon kickoffs, we have Turkey Swiss Chees Melt Sliders and BLT Sliders with Caramelized Onions and Arugula, Chicken Parmesan Sliders, and last but not least Bourbon, Bacon, And Blue Cheese Steak Sliders.
On a Stick Season
Everything tastes better on a stick. Or at least it does during state fair season. These are some of the more fun treats available on a stick and oh so perfect for your tailgate. Loaded Tater Tots on a Stick and Bourbon Brats on a Stick. For a new twist on some old favorites Spaghetti & Meatballs on a Stick and Steak and Potatoes on a Stick. And of course, anything football-shaped is a winner at the tailgate party Football Cookie Dough Pops.
A Cornucopia of Crock Pot Chilis
As the season plays on the weather finally starts to cool off and any excuse to toss a chili together in the crockpot is an excuse to have a tailgate party. White Chicken Chili, Crockpot Vegetarian Chili, and Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili are some great flavors to keep the chili options ever-changing and exciting. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is always a fun twist. While Crock Pot Chili Mac and Cheese adds a new layer to a traditional chili.
Beverages To Thrill A Crowd
One thing you need at every successful tailgate is a wide array of beverages. These are some very adult beverages and very tasty beverages. Mulled Winter White Wine and Apple Cider Old Fashioned. The Fireball Hot Toddy is a new way to say Welcome to the Sip. While a Sriracha Bloody Beer with Chili Sugar Bacon will cure all the college football fan’s ailments.
All The Soup For You
Soups are a staple in the late Fall games. They are quick and easy to make while easily feeding a crowd. These are a few recipes that are as exciting as the conference matchups. Dumpling Soup and Cauliflower Chowder are full of flavor. While Beef Tortellini Soup, Cheddar Cheese Potato Soup, and Chicken Parm Soup give a cozy comfort food vibe.
Wild Weekend of Wings
You can never have too many wings at a tailgate. These recipes are a little off the beaten path but tasty nonetheless. Dill Pickle Chicken Wings because everything has a dill pickle twist lately. Bourbon makes everything a little tastier Sticky Bourbon Chicken Wings. While Honey Mustard Chicken Wings and Jalapeño Chicken Wings complement any tailgating spread. These Buffalo Cauliflower Wings can sit side by side with their fan-favorite traditional friend and give vegetarian tailgaters a tasty option.
Thanksgiving Appetizers and Thanksgiving Leftovers
The holidays come in fast and furious just like the Georgia football team driving through Athens. These appetizers help everyone get through the Forced Family Fun of the holidays. Then of course we have to make something with the leftovers to carry us through the last few games of the regular season. A great project for the bored teenagers at the holiday party they can whip up a cute Turkey Cheese Ball. Who doesn’t love sausage dip? It can be breakfast or lunch. It is tasty no matter what time you eat it. Sausage Dip. These tasty bites add a fun layer to all the traditional Thanksgiving treats French Onion Soup Bites and Beef-Stuffed Mushrooms. As everyone navigates their Thanksgiving leftovers while online shopping all the Black Friday deals these tasty treats make everything better. Thanksgiving Leftover Tacos and Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Bites because everything is better in a taco or wrapped in bacon. Leftover Turkey Salad is a tasty option that can feed your tailgate crowd as well as All The Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey Potato Chowder use all those leftovers up at once. You cannot forget a sweet and tart tasty treat Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bars.
Championship Weekend
As the college football playoffs expand to 12 teams the need for more and more tailgate recipes will expand as well. Last year we did team-themed recipes. This season we will have to come up with some new and exciting recipes to get you through the new and crazy world of college football playoffs.
Big 12 Style
Big 10 Style
SEC Style
Cozy Crockpot Soups
Because it is Winter and soup rocks. These are the comfort foods that will feed everyone who is still going strong at the end of the season. Traditional Beef Stew has so many ways to tweak this to your liking. While Crockpot Potato Soup is hearty and warm with a variety of meat add-ins to give it more flavor. Lasagna Soup and Chicken Enchilada Soup always make for a tasty pregame treat.
Holidays and Bowl Games
With the holidays and college football all tied up in a neat little package you can combine your holiday party with your tailgate party and voila you have the perfect excuse to make a batch of Brandy Hot Toddy they also help keep those colds at bay. While Butterscotch Haystacks / Tumbleweeds are the most underrated holiday treat. Naughty Knots just because of the name, be naughty save Santa a trip! Finally, the Sausage Roll Wreath and Pull-Apart Christmas Tree so you can be the hostess with the mostest.
New Year’s Eve
No need to go out in the crowds when you can stay home and watch football to your heart’s content all while wearing your lucky sweats. These tasty treats add a little “fancy” to your tailgate party. Raspberry Sorbet Spritz, Bacon Wrapped Dates, and Champagne Cupcakes. While Sausage Balls are just a fan favorite that you can dress up or dress down they are always popular.
On The Menu
Next week we will have a brand new stash of tasty tailgate treats to kick off the 2024 college football season. The season of change as we navigate new realigned super conferences. It should be a fun season.
