Football season is officially here. That means cooler weather, gatherings in homes and parking lots and rivalries to match no other. Football can bring us together as well as divide a house for a few hours. We wear jerseys or other paraphernalia to show our support for our teams. Paint goes on bodies as well as fingers and funky hats while we scream for our players and yell at the opposing squad. Refs get cussed, things are thrown and emotions are high for one or two days each week. But as soon as the game is over and we cool off, it’s like nothing ever happened because next week is another chance at a win. Nothing splits a home for a day like rooting for opposing teams and nothing gets everyone so excited as a good play by your favorite team.

None of that happens without food though. Football games are a great excuse to eat a bunch of different foods. Most football parties are full of foods you eat with your fingers like nachos or wings, or things that are typically eaten in one or two bites like little smokies or pinwheels. There are always several options to choose from and usually a few options as to the type of foods as well, such as Mexican or American foods.

While there are many ways to prepare the foods, this week I am going to focus on the easiest prep, using the slow cooker to make football foods. The slow cooker is great because it’s a set it and forget it type of cooking. Then once it’s done, it keeps it hot for you for hours. As long as you stir occasionally, you don’t really have to worry too much about food burning.

I also want to mention, when using the slow cooker, clean up can be a real chore. At least some food will char or harden on the edges. Not all slow cookers have an interior crock that can be removed. Some meals no matter what you do will always be hard to clean, cheese for example. I don’t like spending a lot of time on clean up. You may have seen it before in other columns, but I like to use Crock Pot liners. They are my favorite slow cooker accessory and a real time saver for later. I will mention this almost every time I share a slow cooker recipe. This is a plastic lining that goes into the slow cooker before any food goes in. I find it on the aisle with aluminum foil and wax paper at the store. It makes clean up a breeze. Even if you end up poking a hole in it, the mess is far more contained than if you don’t use it. And if you happen to have leftovers, you can transfer them to a smaller container, then throw the bag away. Wipe out the slow cooker and you are done. So easy!

This week’s recipes are super easy to throw together and pair well with other things. The possibilities are endless! Make your grocery list and blow the dust off the slow cooker before you put on your game gear. Then use these recipes to make game day a snap!

— Cheesy Chicken Nachos

4-6lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast 1 medium onion, diced 1 15oz can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained 3 cups chicken broth 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder, more or less to taste Salt & pepper, to taste 32oz block Velveeta Queso Blanco, diced into small pieces Nacho toppings such as: sour cream, tomato, onion, shredded cheese, guacamole, etc. Place crock pot liner in slow cooker. Place chicken breast in slow cooker. Add seasoning and pour in broth and canned tomatoes and chilies. Cook on low 6 hours or until chicken has internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker and stir. Add cheese and replace lid another 30 minutes or until cheese is completely melted. Stir to combine. Serve on top of chips with nacho toppings as desired. I used shredded Mexican blend cheese, diced onion and tomatoes and sour cream. Yum!

— Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sausage

3 pkgs. smoked sausage cut into 1 inch discs 2 cups BBQ sauce 1 10.5 ounce jar red pepper jelly 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, more or less to taste Place crock pot liner in slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on low 6 hours. Stir every hour or so to make sure it’s not burning.

Recipe adapted from realhousemoms. com.

— Cheeseburger Dip

1.5lb ground turkey, browned 1 medium onion, diced 1 10oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies can, drained 32oz block Velveeta Queso Blanco, diced into small pieces 1 8oz blk cream cheese, diced, use two if you want it creamier ¼ tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper Place crock pot liner in slow cooker. Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Stir together. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until all cheese is melted and ingredients are well combined. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from eatingonadime. com.

— Root Beer Chicken Wings

3lb chicken wings Sprinkle salt to taste 3 tsps. pepper 1 cup BBQ sauce 17oz root beer BBQ sauce, to taste ¼ cup brown sugar, to taste Place crock pot liner in slow cooker. Season chicken wings with salt and pepper. Add chicken wings, bbq sauce and root beer to slow cooker. Cover, cook on low for 4 hours. Remove wings from slow cooker, place on parchment lined tray. Brush more sauce onto wings, sprinkle on some brown sugar. Place under broiler for 8-10 minutes.

Recipe adapted from tasty.co.