8 Southern Recipes For Game Day & Beyond

When it comes to the Big Game on Feb. 11, what?s on the menu is just as crucial as the action on the field. If you?re looking for ways to wow your guests on game day, dive into the heart of Southern cuisine by cooking up one of these delectable recipes ? they?re sure to be the star players of the day!

1. Pimento Cheese Sausage Dip (A Southern Soul) ? Pimento cheese is a crowd-pleaser across the South ? mix it with some sausage and you?ve got a game-winning dish! This recipe, which serves 12, calls for just four ingredients: cooked ground pork sausage, cream cheese, pimento cheese and Rotel green chilies and tomatoes (not drained). Perfect for those with limited time, this dish is ready in 20 minutes flat. All you have to do is stir the ingredients in a large skillet on medium-low heat until melted, then serve immediately with dippers ? a salty base like tortilla chips or crackers, or vegetables like celery, are recommended. See the full recipe here.

2. French Quarter Pecan Cheese Spread (Call Me PMC) ? If you?re looking for a New Orleans-inspired dish for your Big Game menu, you can?t go wrong with this French Quarter pecan cheese spread. While this recipe calls for a seemingly odd mix of ingredients, when put together, they transform into the perfect appetizer for game day. It's so simple to make, too ? just toast the pecans, combine the cheese, onion and garlic in a bowl, then separately, heat Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, butter and mustard until the sugar is dissolved. Once slightly cooled, add the pecans and spoon the mixture over the cream cheese. In just 10 minutes total, you?ll have a dish big enough to serve 10; however, don?t expect any leftovers! See the full recipe here.

3. West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls (The Soccer Mom Blog) ? Pepperoni rolls are a delicacy found across West Virginia, and this from-scratch recipe is so good it?ll have your guests doing a touchdown dance. With a fluffy outside and a cheesy, pepperoni mix on the inside, these meaty rolls offer a rich, spicy flavor as the pepperoni?s oils seep into the bread. Plus, their easy-to-hold, self-contained nature allows guests to eat a roll and still have a free hand to cheer on their favorite team, drink a cold boy or better yet, double-fist a second roll! This recipe requires about three hours total for preparation, cooking and rest time and yields 18 spicy rolls. They can be made up to five days in advance as long as they are stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or for up to a month in the freezer ? just reheat before serving. See the full recipe here.

4. Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies (Spicy Southern Kitchen) ? What?s the best way to eat a little smoky? Wrapped in bacon, of course! A hit across South Carolina and beyond, these elevated tiny bites only require four ingredients, but they pack tremendous flavor. Start by lining a baking sheet, then wrap bacon around each little smoky and roll them in a mixture of brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Place them on the baking sheet and cook for around 30 minutes. While any flavor of bacon will work, maple pairs best with this recipe ? especially if you sprinkle some extra brown sugar on top for added sweetness. See the full recipe here.

5. Southern Sheet Pan Nachos (Southern Bite) ? Nachos are a classic game day dish, and this recipe adds a Southern spin using smoky pulled pork and melted Southern-style Pimiento cheese spread. These nachos are super simple to make, taking just 25 minutes total ? all you have to do is line a tray with parchment paper, add tortilla chips, then top them with the remaining ingredients including Serrano chilis, salsa and onions! While you can customize this dish to your liking, we suggest sticking to the recipe ? especially topping the dish with barbecue sauce for a flavorful bite. See the full recipe here.

6. Double-Fried Gator Bites With Georgia Barbecue Sauce (Southern Living) ? Bring a taste of the University of Georgia to your Big Game party with these double-fried gator bites, a popular game-day dish. Despite the name, these gator bites contain zero percent gator ? instead, use boneless and skinless chicken thighs paired with a deliciously sharp mustard-based barbecue sauce. Be prepared for a full blitz of flavor, as the mixture of the rich and juicy double-fried bites with the sauce?s sweet and tangy deliciousness creates a mouthwatering touchdown for your tastebuds. This recipe takes just under an hour to make and yields eight servings. See the full recipe here.

7. Texas Sheet Cake (Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen) ? There?s never a bad time for cake, especially on game day! This classic Texas sheet cake recipe is a simple yet delicious recipe that features a thick, homemade fudge frosting that?ll have your guests coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds, too). Don?t forget to add the toasted pecans in the frosting and on top ? Texas pecans are best, but any kind will suffice. While prep and cook time come in at under an hour combined, allot yourself an additional four hours for cooling time (though it?ll be hard to resist, we know). If you make it in advance, the cake can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week. See the full recipe here.

8. Kentucky Bourbon Balls (The Southern Lady Cooks) ? Bourbon balls are a classic across Kentucky, and they?re sure to be a big hit at your Big Game party, too! Requiring just a handful of ingredients and only 15 minutes of prep time, these no-bake balls take a bit over two hours to come together. The recipe, which yields around 15-20 bites, calls for 100-proof Kentucky Bourbon for an authentic, old-fashioned taste; however, if you?d prefer to use a bourbon alternative, apple or orange juice works as a substitute. These bite-sized balls are perfect for snacking on during the game without making a mess and can be stored for weeks in an airtight container ? but be warned, these small treats likely won?t last that long! See the full recipe here.

Whichever one of these Southern recipes you put on your Big Game menu, you?ll be sure to score major points with your guests. Have a go-to game day recipe we missed? We'd love to hear about it ...

Share your favorite recipe with us here!