The Ultimate Tailgate Party Menu

There are so many things to look forward to in tailgate season: Obviously, there's the sport itself, but we're just as interested in the pre-game tailgates, post-game celebrations, and all the food and drinks that go with it. And, if we're being honest, the food and drinks are what really excites us most about this football-centric time of year. Everything from Buffalo wings, to nachos, to chili, to endless bowls of artichoke dip: We can't get enough of any of it. So, to satisfy all our game-day cravings, and to help you throw the best-ever pre-game party, we've cooked up a (slightly over the top) menu of all the best tailgating dishes.

This grilled burger may well be the ultimate tailgating dish: Topped with a tangy, boozy barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, and plenty of Cheddar, and serve on a toasted bun, this burger is a stand-out.

For the Bourbon Barbecue Sauce Burger recipe, click here.

Creamy, hearty, warming, and intensely rich, this chowder recipe features some of our favorite tailgate ingredients and brings them all together in one thick soup.

For the Brats, Beer, and Cheddar Chowder recipe, click here.

Coating chicken wings in a sweet and sticky Coca-Cola-based glaze makes them even more addictive and flavorful than they normally are.

For the Coca-Cola Chicken Wings recipe, click here.

This warm and spicy mac and cheese is essential fodder at every chilly tailgating day. Adjust the spice according to your tastes, and make sure you divide it up evenly so everyone gets some of the crispy topping.

For the Crispy Sriracha Mac and Cheese recipe, click here.

Simple, classic guacamole is always appreciated at a tailgate. Serve it with salty tortilla chips and plenty of beer to get your tailgate off to the tastiest start.

For the Easy Guacamole recipe, click here.

If you want to make your tailgate drinks options fancier than coolers filled with beer and Jell-O shots, mix up this seasonally perfect pumpkin beer cocktail recipe from Drizly.

For the Fall Harvest Beer Cocktail recipe, click here.

Rather than serving up buffalo chicken, fuse your favorite buffalo flavors with some juicy barbecued ribs.

For the Grilled Buffalo-Style Barbecue Ribs recipe, click here.

Calzones are perfect finger food to eat while tailgating. When you make a batch that's freshly grilled and filled with molten chocolate and charred marshmallows, you'll have crowned yourself the best-ever tailgate host.

For the Grilled S'more Calzones recipe, click here.

A huge pan of warm, spicy chili is a tailgate staple — and with good reason. This simple, comforting recipe will go with everything at your pre-game party and will be appreciated by everybody.

For John Legend's Hearty Chili recipe, click here.

Start your tailgate off with the richest, most indulgent hoagie dip served in a giant bread roll.

For the Hoagie Dip recipe, click here.

Make sure you don't let your hot dogs be a disappointment; make this sweet and tangy onion sauce to be served on top of them.

For the Hot Dog Onion Sauce recipe, click here.

Messy, salty, meaty, cheesy, and with plenty of tomato sauce: This meatball sub cannot be missed, and should feature at every tailgate you attend this season.

For the Meatball Sub recipe, click here.

Sneak some vegetables into your tailgate by way of this spicy, salty, Mexican-inspired grilled corn recipe.

For the Mexican-Style Grilled Corn recipe, click here.

Warm pigs in a blanket, dipped in sweet and hot honey mustard and served with a chilled beer, are the perfect game-day snack.

For the Pigs in a Blanket With Honey Mustard recipe, click here.

Rather than the classic deep-fried jalapeño poppers, try cooking these cream cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped peppers on the grill.

For the Smoked Jalapeño Poppers recipe, click here.

Move away from the typical, mayonnaise-laden potato salad, and make it loads more exciting with this spiced and herbed recipe.

For the Spicy Potato Salad recipe, click here.

Sometimes, you just can't beat the classics. A creamy spinach and artichoke dip is one example of a tailgate staple that we can't mess with.

For the Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe, click here.

It's easy to get all too caught up in the chicken wings and chili and forget about the sweet treats, but don't forget about your tailgate desserts. These triple-chocolate brownies are intense and will satisfy every chocolate and sugar craving you ever had.

For the Triple-Chocolate Brownies recipe, click here.

Nachos topped with ground beef, spices, peppers, Cheddar, guacamole, and sour cream will be devoured by your friends in a matter of seconds.

For the Ultimate Ground Beef Nachos recipe, click here.

Why drink lemonade at your tailgate when you could be drinking spiked pink lemonade? This vodka lemonade manages to be both pretty and delicious.

For the Vodka-Spiked Pink Lemonade recipe, click here.