Hey there, foodie friends! Let's talk Game Day. Sure, some folks are all about the touchdowns and field goals, but let's be real – for us, it's all about the snacks! And this year, I am bringing the best of Platter Girl Game Day eats I KNOW you are going to love sharing with your crew!

Picture this: a table spread with all the mouthwatering goodness you can imagine, each bite more delicious than the last. Yep, that's the vibe we're going for on game day, and I've got the ultimate menu lineup to make it happen. Here is what is on my list:

1. Loaded Philly Cheesesteak Queso

2. Crispy Tacos

3. Guacamole

4. Thai Peanut Turkey Meatballs

5. Super Sandwiches Platter

6. Bloody Mary Dip

7. Non-Alcoholic Bloody Mary's and Stuffed Green Olives

8. Artichoke & Greens in a Bread Football

9. Dilly Cream Cheese Football

10. Mini Baked Meatball Subs

First up, let's talk about the star of the show: Loaded Philly Cheesesteak Queso. Oh yeah, we're taking cheesy goodness to a whole new level with this one.

Think melty cheese, savory mushrooms, onions, and green peppers and all the fixings piled high on a crunchy tortilla chip. It's the kind of dip that disappears faster than you can say "touchdown!"

Next on the lineup, we've got Crispy Tacos. Because let's face it, tacos make everything better – especially when they're filled with all your favorite fixings and topped with a dollop of creamy guacamole. It's like a fiesta in your mouth with every bite!

Speaking of Guacamole, no game day spread is complete without it. Creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-delicious, it's the perfect accompaniment to just about anything. Whether you're dunking chips or slathering it on your tacos, you can't go wrong with a bowl of homemade guac.

Now, let's kick things up a notch with some Thai Peanut Turkey Meatballs. Sweet, spicy, and totally addictive, these little bites of heaven are guaranteed to be a hit with your guests. Plus, they're super easy to make ahead of time and keep in the crockpot or in the oven, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time cheering on your team. You can use frozen turkey or beef meatballs or make your own. Simply combine 2 lbs ground turkey with 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of very finely chopped onion, 2 cloves chopped garlic, and lots of salt and pepper. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and bake or cook on the stovetop or even in your air fryer.

Now for the delicious sauce. It is literally what dreams are made of. I have been perfecting this Thai Peanut Satay Sauce for almost 20 years! After living above a Thai restaurant in Seattle it became my life mission to recreate the mouthwatering flavors I couldn't stop thinking of even after we moved from our tiny apartment. Here is the perfect combo for this sauce I have found at home:

Ingredients:

1 can coconut milk - I like Chaokoh the best find it HERE

2 tablespoons red curry paste

1 cup peanut butter

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp fish sauce

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp onion powder

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan on low heat melt 1 tsp oil. Add the curry paste and garlic and fry for about 1 minute or until fragrant.

2. Stir in the peanut butter and combine until a creamy paste forms.

3. Add the coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, salt and onion powder.

4. Stir the mixture over the low heat until the sauce comes together and all the peanut butter is thoroughly combined and the sauce is super creamy.

5. Serve warm.

Assemble your Meatball Platter

1. Arrange some greens like arugula on a platter then add the meatballs stacking them up on top of each other to create some height.

2. Add the peanut sauce to a small bowl or even toss the sauce with the meatballs and keep in a crockpot ready for the game!

But wait, there's more! How about a Super Sandwiches Platter? Piled high with vegetarian "chicken" patties made to look like little footballs, cheeses, and condiments, it's the ultimate game day fuel. Plus, it's customizable, so everyone can build their perfect sandwich masterpiece. Talk about a win-win! Get the full recipe in my debut cookbook on Amazon.

Now, let's talk dips.

Because what's game day without a few delicious dips to dunk your snacks into? First up, we've got Bloody Mary Dip. Yes, you heard that right – all the flavors of a classic Bloody Mary, transformed into a creamy, crave-worthy dip. Serve it up with some crispy celery sticks and watch it disappear before your eyes.

The recipe comes together easily with a sheet pan so you know clean up will be simple too!

Here is how to make it:

Blood Mary Dip Recipe

Ingredients:

1 package Cream cheese

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup vegan mayo

1 cup Shredded Cheddar

1 can small of green chilis

2 - 3 cup 1/4 + tablespoons for the topping Parmesan cheese, grated

2 - 3 cup 1/4 + tablespoons for topping Romano cheese, grated

Tomato sauce or marinara

Olive juice

pickle juice

Tapatio hot sauce

Salt

Pepper

Onion powder

Garlic powder

Cornichon pickles

Grape tomatoes

Castelvetrano olives

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

2. In a medium sized glass bowl, whip the cheeses, sour cream and mayo together with either a whisk or an electric mixer then add the green chilies, parmesan cheese, romano cheese, olive juice, pickle juice, dash of hot sauce, salt/pepper, onion powder and garlic powders.

3. Spread out the dip on a shallow baking sheet or in a bowl or mini Dutch oven.

4. Bake the dip at 425 for about 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.

5. Top with the cornichon pickles, grape tomatoes, extra parmesan and Romano cheeses.

6. Serve with a warm French baguette, crackers, and fresh veggies on the side.

And speaking of Bloody Mary's, why not whip up a batch of Non-Alcoholic Bloody Mary's for the designated drivers? It's all the flavor of the classic cocktail, without the booze. Plus, don't forget to add some Blue Cheese Stuffed Green Olives for an extra kick of flavor.

But we're not done yet! How about some Artichoke Dip in a bread bowl?

Here’s a delish grazing board you can make for game day featuring a FOOTBALL sourdough bread bowl filled with artichoke dip plus all sorts of yummy treats for dipping and snacking all throughout the game.

Football Party Board

Ingredients:

1 French Sourdough Bread Loaf

8 oz Artichoke & Greens Dip (below)

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons dried chives

12 oz beef smoked sausage, cooked and sliced into 18-20 discs

½ English cucumber, sliced into discs

18-20 whole green pitted Castelvetrano olives

2 celery stalks, cleaned and trimmed into sticks

10-12 roasted mushrooms

6 peppered salami - olive skewers

1 cup spicy candied cashews

1 cup Marcona almonds

6-8 mini whole wheat toasts

10-12 blue corn tortilla chips

2 carrot fronds for garnish

2 sprigs of rosemary for garnish

Artichoke & Greens Dip

Ingredients:

16 oz frozen chopped spinach

2 cups fresh chopped kale

1 clove garlic finely diced

1/4 sweet white onion, finely diced

8 oz cooked artichoke hearts chopped into small pieces

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shredded or chopped smoked Gouda

2 Tsp salt

1 Tsp white pepper

1 Tsp garlic powder

1 Tsp onion powder

Directions:

1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium-large pot on the stove. I love a good Dutch oven for this so I can keep it warm in the oven and serve from it during a party so it always stays warm for my guests.

2. Sauté onions and garlic in the butter then add the chopped spinach and kale. Season with salt and white pepper.

3. Once the greens have cooked down you can add the chopped artichokes and then the creamy/cheesy ingredients. I start with the cream cheese making sure to really mix it up well then I add 4 oz Alfredo sauce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup shredded smoked Gouda.

4. Combine super well, taste to check the seasonings are good.

5. Keep warm in the oven on low until you are ready to add to your bread bowl.

Assemble your Board:

1. Hollow out your sourdough bread by cutting off the top then ripping out the inner part of the bread to create a bowl.

2. Prepare your artichoke dip - I used an artichoke dip recipe I make all the time and subbed spring greens for the spinach.

3. Fill the bread bowl with the dip and bake it in the oven for about 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

4. Remove from the oven and add shredded cheddar cheese and place back under the broiler to melt the cheese.

5. Pull it from the oven and set aside to cool slightly then add dried chives to the top to form the laces of the football.

6. On a baking sheet add the mushrooms and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes at 375 along with the bread. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before adding to the board.

7. Serve immediately with spoons for scooping the dip and toothpicks.

Now for a little cheese - we've got a Dilly Cheese Football

Cute, creative, and totally delicious, this football is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Check out the Reel HERE. Plus, they're easy to make ahead of time, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the game. Here is the recipe my friends:

Dilly Cheese Football Recipe

Ingredients:

2 packages (16 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

8 1” slices & one 5” slice of Mustard Seed Gouda + more for eating

2 tablespoons dried dill (in the mixture + more for outside coating)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon salt for inside + 1/4 teaspoon for outside coating

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Rosemary crackers

Fig & Raisin crackers

Pistachios

Sweet & Spicy pecans

2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh dill, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

2. Shape the mixture into a football shape - I like to use plastic wrap to help mold the cheese ball using my hands to create the right shape. Refrigerate until ready to use.

3. Remove the ball from the fridge and place on your platter.

4. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons dried dill with 1/2 teaspoon salt.

5. Press the dried dill/salt mixture into the outside of the ball and add the sliced Gouda “laces”.

6. Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and arrange with crackers, pretzel sticks, veggies and nuts.

Last but definitely not least it is time for a delicious recipe I saw on one of my favorite bloggers IG pages - Mini Baked Meatball Subs. If you aren't following @dianemorrisey I highly recommend! I saw these on Diane's page the other day and happened to have all the ingredients handy! M family absolutely destroyed these so I know yours will too! Check out the REEL TUTORIAL for these awesome sliders made from King's Hawaiian rolls!

So there you have it, folks – the ultimate game day menu that's sure to score big with your guests. Because let's be real, when it comes to game day, it's not just about the touchdowns – it's about the food!

Until next time, happy snacking!