Score Big Flavor: 5 Cheese-Packed Game Day Snacks

The biggest football game of the season is almost here. How exciting! And perhaps almost equally as exciting is the food you will get to enjoy while cheering on your favorite team. Chips and salsa, veggie trays and pizza are all snacks many people serve for this big event. But, why not mix things up a bit this year and make a few new dishes for your family? 

Not only are the five game-day snacks in this blog a real touchdown in flavor, but they’re also easy to make. Plus, they all feature cheese, which makes them a big win for any game-watching festivities with your loved ones. From handhelds to savory bite-sized starters, keep reading to learn about all five recipe ideas so you can add them to your menu playbook. 

Easy Pulled Chicken Tacos

To kick things off, we have a simple taco recipe made with juicy rotisserie chicken. And since the chicken is already prepared at your local Food Lion, that’ll save you most of the cooking time. All you’ll have to do is pull the chicken, grill or sauté the bell pepper and assemble the tacos. Or you can set up a little taco bar so your family can make their own tacos exactly how they like them. 

To go with the rotisserie chicken and peppers, we recommend diced red onion, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream and of course, tortillas. Also, don’t forget the cheese! Mexican blend is a great choice, but you can also use cotija cheese, pepper jack or cheddar. Finally, a squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro on top will add a pop of freshness. Or, for a little kick, use a dash of your favorite hot sauce. 

Take a peek at the full recipe for these Pulled Chicken Tacos here!

Sheet Pan Nachos

How about a football fiesta? Sounds like some fantastic family fun, right? Then, you need to try these Sheet Pan Nachos! They’ll make a tasty and super cheesy pairing to the big game excitement. To put these together, start by browning the ground beef, drain and add some taco seasoning, garlic powder and water. Simmer until thickened. 

Next, grab your sheet pan and a bag of tortilla chips (we highly recommend our store-made chips), and start layering your nacho ingredients. You can really get creative with your toppings. Just think about which ones are your family’s favorites and try to include those. But, if you want a little nacho inspiration, here are the ingredients we’ve listed in our Sheet Pan Nachos recipe (in addition to the ground beef):

• Cheddar & Monterey Jack cheeses
• Black beans
• Corn
• Jalapeno
• Tomato
• Red onion
• Chives
• Sour cream

Think your family will love to munch on these cheesy, crunchy nachos while cheering on their favorite team? Check out the step-by-step directions on our recipe portal! 

Parmesan Chicken Bites

Do your kiddos love chicken nuggets? The adults in the family probably do too. They’re perfect for lunch and dinnertime, as well as a game-day favorite. But, why serve simple crispy chicken when you can add some cheesy goodness to boost the flavor, like in this Parmesan Chicken Bites recipe. 

To tackle this game-day snack, you’ll need three dishes as well as a skillet for cooking. One for your flour, another to hold your egg wash and the last dish should be reserved for your breading mixture. These three dishes also represent the three steps to prep your chicken pieces before cooking. 

And speaking of cooking, the coated chicken pieces will only take about four minutes to get golden brown and cooked through. Top with some additional grated Parmesan and fresh parsley and serve with marinara for dipping. Voila! That’s all there is to it. 

Pimiento Cheese Potato Skin Bites

Made with the same number of ingredients as a touchdown (with the extra point), these Pimiento Cheese Potato Skin Bites are a game-day snack that tastes like a real winner. Baked red potatoes, creamy pimiento cheese, chives and seasonings are the main items that compose this dish. Plus, this appetizer is a new way to enjoy potato skins and the classic Southern spread - pimiento cheese!  

Want to make these a little heartier? Cook up some bacon strips, chop them up and top your potato skins to add some protein. And for another quick recipe tip - save some time on game day and complete the step of baking the whole red potatoes the night before. 

Cheesy Meatball Subs on a Stick

This last idea for a game-day snack is a play on a meatball sub sandwich that’s a little easier to grab and enjoy while watching the game. After all, this cheesy “meatball sub” is on a wooden skewer! For this recipe, you’ll need frozen meatballs, refrigerated breadsticks, Italian seasoning and plenty of mozzarella cheese. However, if you have a recipe for homemade meatballs that you would like to use, feel free to whip up a batch of those. But, if not, don’t worry, these skewered snacks will be absolutely delicious and can be prepped and cooked in 30 minutes. 

As you know, no meatball sub is complete without the sauce. So, for dipping your Cheesy Meatball Subs On a Stick, marinara sauce would be the perfect classic choice. You could also try ranch dressing, barbeque sauce or honey mustard.

These five game-day snacks are proof that when there’s cheese involved you have a touchdown of an appetizer on your hands. With these recipe ideas in mind, now it’s time to start planning out your menu to enjoy while watching the big game with your family. Which ones will you make? No matter what you choose, your neighborhood Food Lion offers game-day essentials at low prices worth cheering about. And if you want to leave some of the meal prep to us, check out our family-sized catering tray options. From salads and veggie trays to sandwiches and crispy chicken, there are multiple choices available for you and your family. We’ve got you covered!