51 Make-Ahead Tailgating Recipes That’ll Feed a Crowd

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51 Make-Ahead Tailgating Recipes That’ll Feed a Crowd1/51 Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The secret ingredient in this sassy sauce is the grape jelly. It’s a sweet contrast with the chili sauce. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 meatball: 106 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 2/51 Antipasto Skewers 71 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

We have loved creating menus and entertaining ever since

Antipasto Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 40 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I met at a cooking class. We have loved creating menus and entertaining ever since. These make-ahead antipasto skewers are always a hit. —Denise Hazen, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 66 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 3/51 Overnight Salad 39 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From

The bacon adds a fabulous crunch

the Recipe Creator: This layered salad is a family favorite from a church cookbook I’ve had for 40 years. The bacon adds a fabulous crunch. —Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 206 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 4/51 Swiss Mushroom Loaf 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m always prepared for recipe requests when I serve this outstanding stuffed loaf. It’s excellent not only as an appetizer but

also as a side for pasta or chili

also as a side for pasta or chili. —Heidi Mellon, Waukesha, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 214 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. 5/51 Fresh Corn & Avocado Dip 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Fresh Corn & Avocado Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I alter my sister’s recipe by adding a finely chopped jalapeno pepper for a little heat. This tasty dip can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until serving.

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

—Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup (calculated without chips): 52 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 6/51 Parmesan-Pretzel Crisps 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this recipe because I usually have the ingredients on hand and it is so easy to prepare. It’s one of those snacks that makes guests think you’ve gone the extra mile. —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina

For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar

Nutrition Facts: 1 crisp: 16 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 7/51 Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 82 calories, 6g fat (2g

Also, check out

saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 203mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 8/51 Grilled Red Pepper Dip 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Red Pepper Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4-3/4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We grill peppers with rosemary and garlic, then blend them with sun-dried tomatoes for a creamy spread to pass with pita chips. —Donna Alwine, Bloomington, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 127 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Also, check out

some more tailgate grilling ideas

some more tailgate grilling ideas. 9/51 Potato Salad with Bacon 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It isn’t a summer cookout without potato salad, but the stuff from the deli just isn’t our thing. I toyed with many recipes until I developed this one. Now if I even mention grilling or barbecuing, it’s my family’s top request for a side. —Paul Cogswell, League City, Texas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 424 calories, 36g fat (7g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 1147mg sodium, 17g

carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein

carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. 10/51 Chicken & Bacon Roll-Ups 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken & Bacon Roll-Ups Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My children like these roll-ups so much that they ask for them every day for lunch during the summer. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey breast, this is a delicious way to use it up. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 43 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0

sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein

sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 11/51 Ham and Cheese Sliders 120 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Make-Ahead Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My next-door neighbor shared this recipe with me and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of flavors makes these sandwiches so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 315 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 555mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber),

13g protein

13g protein. 12/51 Summer Chicken Macaroni Salad 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Summer Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For sunny, lazy days, I make a loaded macaroni salad that’s like three salads in one. The mix of fresh veggies, sweet peaches and crunchy pistachios is a surprisingly delicious combo. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 312 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.

It’s a great way to make spinach palatable

13/51 Spinach Turkey Meatballs 16 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spinach Turkey Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our children call these “Gramby Meatballs” because the recipe came from my dear mother-in-law. It’s a great way to make spinach palatable. I usually make a triple batch, bake them all and freeze the extras for a quick meal later. —Mimi Blanco, Bronxville, New York Nutrition Facts: 3 meatballs: 234 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 568mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber),

27g protein

27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 0.500 starch. 14/51 Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Summertime gatherings aren’t complete without a refreshing pasta salad. This tasty version features a mayonnaise and picante dressing. It may become one of your favorite side dishes for tacos, too! —Kathryn Donahey, Oil City, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 207 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 374mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fruit

protein. 15/51 Lime-Honey Fruit Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Nothing is more refreshing to me than a seasonal fruit salad enhanced with this simple honey-lime dressing. —Victoria Shevlin, Cape Coral, Florida Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 96 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fruit. 16/51 Mushroom Palmiers 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Frozen puff pastry helps make it easy and impressive

Creator: I found this recipe while working at a small-town museum in West Texas. It was the appetizer for a fundraiser a long, long time ago, and it’s still a huge hit at parties. Frozen puff pastry helps make it easy and impressive. The palmiers also freeze well. —Judy Lock, Panhandle, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 pastry: 58 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 17/51 Dill Vegetable Dip 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Dill Vegetable Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 1-1/2 cups

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