Introduction

It’s fall, and you know what that means: football season with tailgates, touchdowns, and get-togethers. I love that the air’s getting crisp, the daylight’s a little shorter, and our weekends are bursting with cheering fans, tasty bites, and the best kind of company. Somewhere between the football frenzy and early holiday planning, the kitchen becomes the heartbeat of it all.

If you’re anything like me, this is the time of year when planning and prepping start to overlap. One minute I’m searching for my stadium seat, and the next, I’m knee-deep in holiday recipe cards trying to decide what I should try new this year for family and guests. It’s all part of the fun, though, and the perfect time to pull together some crowd-pleasing appetizers that work just as well for a football party as they do for a festive holiday get-together.

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Foods to Celebrate Tailgates, Touchdowns, and Get-Togethers

Fall gatherings have a certain magic about them. Cool evenings and the warmth of good food shared among friends, it’s what makes this season so memorable. Whether you’re bundled up in the stands under the Friday night lights, tailgating with a grill, or hosting a watch party in your living room, food is what brings everyone together.

And, appetizers steal the show every time. A good dip or bite-sized snack can turn an ordinary get-together into something special. That’s why this week, I’m sharing two of my all-time favorite hot dips—both family and friend favorites that make regular appearances during the holidays or on big game days.

Hot Dip #1: Hot Sausage-Beef Queso Dip

This one’s a keeper. It’s hearty, flavorful, and disappears fast every single time I make it. This dip is definitely a man-pleaser at any event. It’s a hot dip heavy on seasoned beef and sausage. You decide the spice level with Rotel tomatoes and lots of cheesy melted goodness, making this dip perfect for crackers, tortilla chips, or even toasted bread rounds. This recipe makes a lot, so don’t worry about those guests who double back for more —it yields a big batch. Grab your Crockpot for this one, the big one.

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Hot Sausage-Beef Queso Dip

This is a tried-and-true recipe that never disappoints. It’s a hearty mash-up of sausage, ground beef, juicy tomatoes, and gooey cheese, all served piping hot. Whether you scoop it up with tortilla chips, corn-chip scoops, toasted bread, or even veggies, it hits the spot. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a game-day legend and a go-to favorite at holidays, and any gathering worth celebrating.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

melting time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 20

Calories 392kcal

Author Mary Lou Coon

Equipment

• 1 4-5 quart Crockpot or
• 1 chafing dish a little more elegant for holiday parties
• 1 non-stick frying pan
• 1 knife
• 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage mild can use hot if you desire
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 32 oz Velvetta cheese
• 2 8 oz sharp cheddar
• 2 10 oz cans Rotel tomatoes original can use mild or hot to adjust heat level

Instructions

• Combine ground beef and ground sausage in a frying pan and brown, breaking into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain and set aside.
• Next, cube the Velvetta cheese and the sharp cheese.
• Place all ingredients into a 4-5 quart Crockpot or 4-5 quart chafing dish. Spray with Pam for easier cleanup. Keep the heat low, and allow all cheese to melt. and stirring often to blend. Check often throughout the melting stage. I usually set the Crockpot to high to start the melting process, then turn it low.
• Serve once all cheeses have melted. Serve with corn chip scoops, tortilla chips, toasted bread, veggies or crackers.

If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to scroll up and tap those stars! I’d love to know how it turned out for you.” 

Notes

I always keep a can of chicken broth on hand to thin the cheese dip if it thickens over time.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Nutrition

Serving: 5-ounces | Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 1069mg | Sugar: 2g

Hot Dip #2: Hot Broccoli Mushroom Dip

Now, this recipe is more on the classy side, but still crowd-friendly. This hot dip is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with chunks of broccoli and slices of mushrooms, with just a little heat and a great overall flavor blend. It’s a dish that feels special without being fussy. Serve it bubbling hot, with sliced baguette, pita chips, or even fresh veggies for dipping. If you should have leftovers, this dip makes an excellent topping for baked potatoes. It’s comfort food with a touch of elegance—and perfect whether you’re celebrating a touchdown or prepping for your holiday appetizer table.

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Hot Broccoli Mushroom Dip

This vintage favorite brings together creamy, cheesy richness with the bold, earthy flavors of broccoli and mushrooms—and just a hint of heat. It’s a go-to for crackers, scoop-style corn chips, and fresh veggie sticks. And if you happen to have any leftovers (though that’s rare!), this dip turns into a fantastic topper for baked potatoes.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

melting time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 16 servings

Calories 214kcal

Author Mary Lou Coon

Equipment

• 1- 3 or 4 quart Crockpot or slow cooker or
• 1- chafing dish a little more elegant for parties
• 1- large wooden spoon for stirring
• 1- knife for cubing cheese

Ingredients

• 1- 16 oz Velvetta Mexican Cheese Cut into cubes for easier melting
• 1- 15 oz Cheez Whiz in a jar
• 2- 10 oz pkg. frozen chopped broccoli Thawed
• 2- 10.50 oz cans cream of mushroom soup
• 3- 4 oz jar sliced mushrooms canned or in a jar ( reserve juice)

Instructions

• For easy cleanup, lightly spray the Crockpot, then add all ingredients. Turn the Crockpot on high to start the melting process. Watch closely and stir often. Once most of the ingredients are melted, turn to a low setting and right before serving, turn to warm.
• Serve with crackers, corn chip scoops, tortilla chips, sliced vegetables, or toasted bread, Another idea is to serve in a bread bowl with cubed bread on the side. Leftovers? Makes a great topper for baked potatoes.

If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to scroll up and tap those stars! I’d love to know how it turned out for you.” 

Notes

If the cheese dip becomes too thick, thin it with low-sodium chicken broth to avoid diluting flavors.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Nutrition

Serving: 5-ounces | Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 961mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

Game Days Meet Holiday Prep: Tailgates, Touchdowns, Get-Togethers

Here’s the beauty of it all—these dips aren’t just for game day. With the holidays inching closer, now’s the perfect time to start testing recipes that could make your entertaining easier later. Try one new dish each weekend, see how your crowd responds, and before you know it, you’ll have a lineup of tried-and-true favorites ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s.

If you haven’t started planning yet, don’t worry, you’re right on time. Use these game days as practice runs. See what travels well, what reheats nicely, and what disappears first (always a sign of a keeper!). By the time the holiday rush arrives, you’ll be ready to serve like a seasoned pro, minus the last-minute chaos.

All of us who host holiday get-togethers and dinners have felt that wave of overwhelm that hits right before the holidays. You’re not alone. Between the shopping lists, the cooking, and the endless to-dos, it’s a lot. But a little planning can change everything.

Want to head off the madness? Well, check out my blog post Survive the Holiday Cooking: A Guide for Mastering the Madness. It’s filled with helpful tips to keep your kitchen running smoothly and your stress levels low during the holiday season.

Conclusion: Stay Tuned for More!

I know your family and friends are going to love these two recipes I have just shared. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share more party-worthy appetizers and make-ahead favorites that are perfect for any holiday, football game, family get-together, or festive fun in between. So fire up that oven, and let’s dive into a season of celebration. One touchdown, tailgate, and delicious appetizer at a time!

Here’s to Food, Friends, and Football!

Scroll to the bottom to rate this recipe and leave a quick comment! I love hearing from my readers.

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