8 Ways to Shake Up Your Game-Day Menu This Weekend

Bored with burgers? These fun recipes will make your tailgating routine feel brand new again.

Food Network Kitchen’s Tailgating Cheeseburger Nachos.

Food Network Kitchen’s Tailgating Cheeseburger Nachos.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

We're not saying that we'd ever really tire of burgers, hot dogs, ribs and the rest of our favorite game-day foods. But by this point in the season (whether you park in a stadium lot to tailgate or park your booty on the couch to watch at home), you might be jonesing for a new dish to please your crowd. Try these different (but yes, still cheesy and meaty) recipes next time the gang gets together the cheer on the home team.

We told you we weren't ready to give up our cheeseburger habit. But instead of a bun, place burger meat (and all your favorite fixings) on top of tortilla chips. The combination is a crunchy, gooey match made in heaven.

Food Network Kitchen’s Cornbread Chile Poke Bake.

Food Network Kitchen’s Cornbread Chile Poke Bake.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

If you're a fan of poke cakes, you're going to love this savory version of the dish. Meaty chili seeps into holes poked into hearty cornbread, so you get every flavor in each bite.

Food Network Kitchen’s Jalapeno-Cheddar Beer Bread.

Food Network Kitchen’s Jalapeno-Cheddar Beer Bread.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

A foolproof, six-ingredient, cheesy, carby, spicy dish is exactly the (easy!) thing to complete your game-day spread.

Food Network Kitchen’s Buffalo Shrimp Tempura for Food Network One-Offs, as seen on Food Network.

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Food Network Kitchen’s Buffalo Shrimp Tempura for Food Network One-Offs, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

Shrimp skewers with a kick are a fun pre-game snack. The secret to super-crunchy tempura? Keeping all of your ingredients cold (even the shrimp!) before you fry. 

Food Network Kitchen’s Stuffed Sloppy Joe Bombs.

Food Network Kitchen’s Stuffed Sloppy Joe Bombs.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

Traditional sloppy joes aren't quite suited for a rowdy crowd perched on your couch — because, we'll, they're sloppy. But these biscuit-dough pockets stuffed with meat, onions, peppers and sauce (of course) are a little tidier and just as delicious.

Food Network Kitchen’s Reuben Garbage Bread, as seen on Food Network.

FNK_ ReubenGarbageBread_H

Food Network Kitchen’s Reuben Garbage Bread, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

This recipe takes a classic deli sandwich to the next level, with melty swiss cheese and savory pastrami rolled up into a sliceable, shareble (please do; it's massive) bread. Sprinkled with some caraway seeds and brushed with a baking soda wash, the pizza-dough crust takes on the flavor and color of rye bread.

Food Network Kitchen’s Italian Meat Bowls, as seen on Food Network.

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Food Network Kitchen’s Italian Meat Bowls, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

These little guys might look like stuffed mushrooms, but they're actually mini meatball cups filled with marinara and mozzarella.

Food Network Kitchen’s Tailgating Iowa Turkey Legs.

Food Network Kitchen’s Tailgating Iowa Turkey Legs.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

This giant-sized recipe was inspired by a game-day tradition at the University of Iowa (any Hawkeye fans out there know what we're talking about?). You can even brine and bake the legs a day before the game and then drive them to your tailgate to finish them off on the grill.

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