Make these MVP recipes and people will want to crash your tailgate.

Buffalo Chicken Chili

As the weather gets colder, chili becomes one of tailgating’s staples.

Fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles add a lot of flavor but not a lot of heat.

Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce with a spoon lifting a meatball out of the sauce.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

If you want more heat, you could spice it up with additional hot wing sauce or diced jalapenos.

Or have those on the side for people to add themselves.

not green, white, or black tea) dont have the tannins that help tenderize the chicken.

buffalo chicken chili in a bowl with a green handled spoon

Aaron Hutcherson

Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Is it even a tailgate if there aren’t meatballs?

Combine these easy-to-make meatballs with homemade or store bought sauce.

This sheet cake is as big as Texas (sort of).

pickle cole slaw in a white bowl

Nick Evans

Plan a bit ahead for this one.

The cake is made withyeast.

If you dont like Greek yogurt, you could use light or regular sour cream in its place."

bbq chicken nachos in a aluminum foil boat

Elise Bauer

Candied Bacon

Do you want to be the hero of the tailgate?

Once cooled, you could eat as is.

Or, if you’re having aBloody Mary barat the tailgate, candied bacon makes a great garnish.

Sweet Tea Fried Chicken on a Platter, and in the Surroundings, a Glass of Ice Tea, a Lemon Wedge on a Small Saucer, and a Lemon on a Colorful Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Irvin Lin

you might also customize it in several ways, including making it into a ranch dip by usingbuttermilk.

Peanut Butter Buckeyes

Peanut butter.

Always a winning combination.

mac and cheese topped with bread crumbs in a baking dish a spoon removing a serving

Alison Bickle

They’re super simple to make and this recipe makes 48 treats, perfect for a large crowd.

Add some lime andgood salt.

The sandwich feeds at least 4.

Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce with a spoon lifting a meatball out of the sauce.

Alison Bickel

After it’s built, the sandwich needs to sit for at least two hours before eating.

By the time you get to the tailgate, it will be perfect.

They’re simple to make.

Close up of buffalo wings recipe with blue cheese dressing and celery.

Elise Bauer

it’s possible for you to make them up to a week ahead of time.

And it just makes more sense at a tailgate than a fancycheese board.

Banana Bread

On game day, everyone is looking for a win.

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

Cindy Rahe

Kettle Corn

Four ingredients.

And you’re done making your contribution to the tailgate!

This sweet and saltypopcornrecipe yields six cups of popped corn.

Gooey Butter Cake Cut into Pieces in a Baking Pan

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

If you need more, make it in batches.

ranch dip in a mini dutch oven on a tray with vegetables

Simply Recipes / Claudia Cash

Bacon Candy Recipe

Nick Evans

Overhead view of a platter of Classic Deviled Eggs.

Kelly Hamilton

Platter of Vegetables and a Bowl of Veggie Dip

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

peanut butter and chocolate buckeye candies

Irvin Lin

Side view of homemade potato salad in a white bowl.

Eliezer Martinez

tomato salsa in a bowl showing chopped tomatoes and onion

Elise Bauer

A Plate with Quarters of a Classic Muffuletta Sandwich Made with Cold Cuts, Cheese, and Olives

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

cheese ball surrounded by crackers on a white plate with a cheese knife

Nick Evans

Easy banana bread cut into thick slices.

Kelly Hamilton

Side view of easy kettle corn in a teal bowl.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel