Football season is finally here, which means that it’s time to get our tailgate game on! My husband played college football at Vanderbilt University (Go Commodores!) years ago, and he even played semi-professionally, so he is the biggest sports fan that I have ever met. Me, on the other hand, I will show up for the game, but to tell you the truth, I don’t really care about the touchdowns. I come for the food. Thankfully, we have a great group of people who tailgate with us, and they make some absolutely killer dishes to share.
To celebrate the start of the college and NFL football seasons, here’s a roundup of football-themed books (and a tailgating cookbook) paired with tried-and-true recipes that I love and that will help you score serious brownie points for your team.
1. Brady: An American Story + King's Hawaiian Sliders
Brady: An American Story and the Price of Greatness
by Lars Anderson
Whether you love him or not, Tom Brady certainly left his mark in the NFL, winning seven Super Bowl rings over the course of 23 seasons. Brady's obsessive perfectionism pairs perfectly with these baked sliders although they are undoubtedly incompatible with his strict TB12 diet. However, like Brady, these sliders represent excellence at the highest level.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham & Cheese Sliders from The Kitchn
2. Rudy: My Story + Crockpot White Chili
Rudy: My Story
by Rudy Ruettiger - Mark Dagostino
From a dyslexic kid who struggled in school to a Notre Dame football hero and sought-after motivational speaker, Rudy is a true underdog story. It's also a film. This book pairs perfectly with humble, slow-cooker white chili. Both build quietly and improve over time, showing the value of patience and perseverance.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot White Chicken Chili
3. The Cheat Sheet + Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
The Cheat Sheet
by Sarah Adams
The Cheat Sheet is a playful sports-themed romance novel from The Los Angeles Sharks Duology series. Ballerina Bree is desperately in love with her smokin’ hot friend Nathan Donelson, an NFL legend, but he’s put her in the friend zone. This friends-to-lovers romance is filled with unexpected chemistry and pairs perfectly with these spicy, smokey, creamy bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers by AllRecipes
4. The Bradshaw Family Cookbook + Ro-Tel Queso
The Bradshaw Family Cookbook: Our Favorite Recipes for Game Days, Weekdays, and Any Day
by Terry Bradshaw - Tammy Bradshaw - Rachel Bradshaw - Noah Hester - Lacey Hester - James O Fraioli
Terry Bradshaw is literally the face and the voice of the NFL. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 14 seasons before starting his broadcasting career in 1994. The man is a icon, and I’m betting that his family recipes are just as legendary. To honor his legacy, I've paired this book with classic Ro-Tel Queso Dip, because no tailgate is complete without this game day staple or a party-sized bag of corn chips.
Get the Recipe: Ro-Tel Queso Dip for a Crowd
5. Football's Greatest Stars + Martha Stewart's Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Football's Greatest Stars: The 114 Best Players of All Time
by Allan Maki - George Johnson
A great gift for dads and die-hard football fans, this retrospective from sports journalist Allan Maki features 114 of the greatest NFL players and the riveting stories behind their success. This celebration of timeless greatness and success pairs perfectly with Martha Stewart’s chewy chocolate chip cookies. They're the best you will ever have, and every tailgate needs something sweet to snack on. Here's your reminder that perfection doesn’t need reinvention.
Get the Recipe: Martha Stewart's Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
6. The Southern Tailgating Cookbook + Classic Sausage Balls
The Southern Tailgating Cookbook: A Game-Day Guide for Lovers of Food, Football, and the South
by Taylor Mathis
It feels a bit disloyal to recommend a book published by UNC, but who better to capture the energy and the culinary traditions of the SEC? Created by tailgating enthusiast Taylor Mathis, this cookbook features 110 recipes ranging from simple to extravagant. I’m pairing this book with classic sausage balls made with Bisquick and cheddar cheese. My husband makes them every year, at least several times. We always you half hot sausage and half mild. They're always worth it.
Get the Recipe: Bisquick Sausage Balls from The Seasoned Mom
Whatever team you’re rooting for, we wish you a fun, successful and delicious football season. Happy reading and happy eating! Go team!