A great game day spread doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. From snacks and drinks to crowd-friendly meals, hosting costs can add up quickly. With a little planning, smart shopping, and budget-friendly recipes, you can serve up favorites everyone will enjoy while keeping your spending in check.
Budget-Friendly Recipes
You don’t need an expensive menu to feed a crowd. These easy, affordable recipes use simple ingredients, can be made in large batches, and are sure to be game day favorites.
1. Walking Tacos
Single-serving bags of chips make serving and cleanup easy, while larger bags can help keep costs lower. Pair chips with taco meat and toppings for a customizable meal option. Adding beans to the meat mixture is a simple way to stretch ingredients and serve more guests.
2. Chili Bar
Single-serving bags of chips make serving and cleanup easy, while larger bags can help keep costs lower. Pair chips with taco meat and toppings for a customizable meal option. Adding beans to the meat mixture is a simple way to stretch ingredients and serve more guests.
3. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
A pork shoulder cooked in the slow cooker can provide plenty of servings at a relatively affordable cost per person. Serve with buns and a few simple sides for an easy game day meal that requires minimal prep.
4. Ham and Cheese Sliders
A pork shoulder cooked in the slow cooker can provide plenty of servings at a relatively affordable cost per person. Serve with buns and a few simple sides for an easy game day meal that requires minimal prep.
5. Pasta Bake
Baked pasta dishes like lasagna or other casseroles are affordable, filling, and easy to prepare ahead of time. Pair with garlic bread or a salad to complete the meal.
Smart Ways to Save on Game Day Food
1. Shop Sales Ahead of Time
Check weekly ads for deals on meat, snacks, drinks, and other game day essentials. Buying items when they’re on sale and planning your menu around those deals can help lower your overall costs.
2. Choose Store Brands
Check weekly ads for deals on meat, snacks, drinks, and other game day essentials. Buying items when they’re on sale and planning your menu around those deals can help lower your overall costs.
3. Buy in Bulk
For larger gatherings, buying items like drinks, chips, and paper products in larger quantities may help reduce the cost per serving. Just be sure to buy only what you’ll use to avoid unnecessary spending.
4. Use a Crockpot and Make-Ahead Meals
For larger gatherings, buying items like drinks, chips, and paper products in larger quantities may help reduce the cost per serving. Just be sure to buy only what you’ll use to avoid unnecessary spending.
