Better Homes And Gardens Cherry Cola Ham

Mini Muffulettas

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Fall is football season in the South. And every good game has an even better tailgate spread that fans look forward to every weekend. Over the years, menus have evolved to include wow-worthy recipes that are perfect for serving on any given Saturday.

This impressive roster of crowd-pleasing favorites contains easy make-ahead recipes, such as our Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls and Muddy Buddy Mix, and ready-to-serve dips, including our most popular renditions of spinach dip and Rotel-studded cheese dip. Classic tailgating recipes like deviled eggs and pimiento cheese team up with new players like bacon-wrapped party poppers and buffalo chicken dip, to give your tailgating menu the crowd appeal needed to satisfy a hungry group from one Saturday to the next. So get to planning and you're sure to score come football season.

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

Imagine all the best flavors of buffalo chicken dip rolled into one delicious bite, and you'd get Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels.

Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip

Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip Recipe

Credit: Coastal Living

Recipe: Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip

This creamy dip is topped with bacon and pepper jelly for the ultimate game day combination.

Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

Credit: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

Spicy, fruity cola gives the ground beef in this recipe a lively boost of flavor.

Buffalo-Style Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

Recipe: Buffalo-Style Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

This flavorful tailgate recipe starts with a bag of store-bought waffle-cut sweet potato fries.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Spinach-Artichoke Dips

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Serve this tasty dip with crackers, radishes, or fresh broccoli for a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Party-Perfect Meatballs

Party-Perfect Meatballs Recipe

Credit: Photo: Brie Passano

Recipe: Party-Perfect Meatballs

Party-perfect, indeed! Game day isn't truly complete without a scrumptious meatball recipe on the table.

Basic Deviled Eggs

Devilish Spins on Deviled Eggs

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs

Simplicity is key in this tasty make-ahead recipe. It comes together with just 5 ingredients in less than 20 minutes.

Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Cooked low and slow, these tender wings are sure to be a hit at your next tailgate feast.

Greek Stuffed Peppers

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Greek Stuffed Peppers

Regardless of where game day takes you, this delicious dish is easy to grab, go, and serve.

Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

You can turn that slow cooker on the night before game day to make sure these pickled pepper-topped puppies are ready to be toted over to the tailgate.

Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

In our opinion, the only thing that can make guacamole even better is the addition of pimientos and bacon—but that's just us.

Baked BLT Dip

Credit: Skyler Burt

Recipe: Baked BLT Dip

Creamy, cheesy, bacony, and oh-so bubbly, this dip will have the whole tailgate doing victory dances. Top with lettuce and cherry tomatoes to make it look just like the sandwich.

Sweet-and-Salty Autumn Snack Mix

Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Sweet-and-Salty Autumn Snack Mix

This perfect munch mix is filled with cereal, bite-size pretzels, candy-coated peanut-butter candies, mini marshmallows, and a yummy butter mixture that includes brown sugar and honey. What can go wrong?

Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs

Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs (90s)

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs

Classic deviled eggs get a festive spin from cilantro, serrano peppers, chili powder, and cheese.

Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip

We'll never turn down cheese dip, especially when it comes filled with three types of cheese and topped with homemade spiced nuts.

Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

Credit: Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

Southerners will instantly recognize this handheld staple, made with ham, cheese, Hawaiian rolls, and a homemade cheesy cream sauce.

Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Smoked paprika gives all the flavor to this hummus recipe made with black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas. Top with extra olive oil, lemon zest, and paprika before serving.

Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts

This easy snack is always a crowd-pleaser at a Southern tailgate. Make them in a slow cooker and haul it over to the tailgate to keep the boiled peanuts warm all day.

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Recipe

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Because sometimes firing up the grill just isn't an option. Pop these wings in the oven and get all the flavor with way less hassle.

Classic Pimiento Cheese

Basic Pimiento Cheese

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Classic Pimiento Cheese

Need we say more? It's not a Southern day party without at least one batch of pimiento cheese. Hot tip: Serve with crackers and a jar of Wickles on the side.

Brownie Cookies

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Brownie Cookies

Hard choices aren't to be made on game day—so get the best of both worlds with this recipe that combines the sweet outer crunch of a cookie with the rich decadence of a brownie. Oh, and did we mention it all starts with a box of brownie mix?

Muddy Buddy Mix

Recipe: Muddy Buddy Mix

Similar to its sweet sibling, puppy chow mix, this recipe gives chocolate and peanut butter lovers the ultimate game day snack option. Just a handful of ingredients and about ten minutes, and you're there.

Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Credit: Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Recipe: Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Every party needs a spinach dip on the lineup, and this one goes fully Southern with the addition of sweet onions and country ham. Can you say yum?

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is hands-down the most crowd-pleasing dip recipe for when you're feeding a group of hungry Southerners. It's melty, creamy, cheesy, chicken-filled, and packed with a kick of buffalo flavor.

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Recipe: Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Did someone say sausage balls? We can hear the people running from other tailgates already. This recipe spices it up a notch with hot pork sausage and pepper Jack cheese.

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

Cowboy Cookies

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

Filled with all the most delicious ingredients like chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans, this reader-favorite cookie recipe makes a big enough batch to feed your crowd all day long.

Rotel Dip

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Rotel Dip

We know that you know this dip—because it might be the most popular game day dip of all time. This recipe gives you the perfect ratio of cheese, meat, chiles, and tomatoes, which are all cooked and served warm in your slow cooker.

Party Poppers

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Party Poppers

Stuffed with a cream cheese mixture and wrapped in thick-cut bacon, these jalapeño poppers are guaranteed to get the party going.

Chicken Tenders with Jalapeño-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Jalapeño-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chicken Tenders with Jalapeño-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Grab your favorite store-bought or drive-thru chicken fingers and pair them with fun game-day skewers and our easy three-ingredient spicy mustard dipping sauce.

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Say hello to the most dependable pasta salad this side of the Mason-Dixon. Everyone loves the simple combination of broccoli, grapes, pecans, and bacon.

Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

We upgraded your classic pigs in a blanket with spicy smoked sausage, pretzel dough, and a complementary Creole honey mustard dip to serve alongside it.

Pecan-Praline Dip

Pecan Praline Dip

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pecan-Praline Dip

Who said dips need to be exclusively savory? This sweet dip is made with butter, brown sugar, and toasted pecans—plus, vanilla wafers for dipping.

Salted Caramel Popcorn

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Salted Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn is an easy snack to bulk up the tailgate table, and this recipe makes it even more exciting with the addition of a sweet coating of salted caramel.

Sweet Heat Hot Dogs with Peach Ginger Slaw

Monday Sweet Heat Hot Dogs Peach Ginger Salsa Recipe

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Heat Hot Dogs with Peach Ginger Slaw

It doesn't get any more classic than having a hot dog on game day, and this recipe gets its signature sweet heat from sweet-hot pickles and a crunchy slaw.

Pecan Pie Bars

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

These chewy, bite-size bars require just 20 minutes of prep time.

Beer-Cheese Fondue

Rosemary-Bacon Nut Mix

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beer-Cheese Fondue

We upped the ante on this popular dip by using dry mustard, Gruyère, Cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, and a lager beer. Serve with sliced cooked bratwurst for extra fun.

Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles

Much like everyone's beloved old-fashioned potato salad, this recipe gets a little extra personality for the tailgate from sweet pickles. Only six more ingredients and you're there.

Mini Muffulettas

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Recipe: Mini Muffulettas

You can easily make these mini muffuletta sliders the day before the party. Just assemble, place in zip-top plastic freezer bags, and refrigerate overnight. Store-bought craft paper and simple twine create clever sandwich wrappers.

Smoked-Tomato Salsa

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Smoked-Tomato Salsa

What's a party without salsa? Make yours one to remember.

Coconut Cheesecake Squares

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Coconut Cheesecake Squares

Lemon bars just met their biggest competition. Made with sweet coconut and creamy cheesecake filling, these bar cookies are bound to disappear well before kickoff.

Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

There's nothing more Southern than literally anything topped with red pepper jelly—but we can't help but be partial to a melty goat cheese dip.

Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Fried Chicken Sliders with Pimiento Cheese

Store-bought chicken fingers and buns make a tasty duo when spread with our quick pimiento cheese recipe. It makes a hearty option for any tailgate.

Bacon-Cheese Dip

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Bacon-Cheese Dip

Keep your game day party easy by making this tasty dip ahead of time.

Ham-Stuffed Biscuits With Mustard Butter

Credit: Photo: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Ham-Stuffed Biscuits With Mustard Butter

Yeast biscuits—also called angel or bride's biscuits—hold together well, so they're a good choice to serve at gatherings. The so-Southern combination of ham and biscuits is always a hit!

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