(Family Features) From kickoff to the final whistle, taking your game day party to the next level starts with serving an all-star lineup of menu items. From starting-caliber appetizers to MVP-level main courses and a supporting cast of side dishes, dips like salsa and hummus can play the role of superstar when it comes to serving up game day grub.

One of the benefits of cheering on your favorite teams from the couch and bringing the tailgate to your literal home field is the availability of appliances you may not otherwise have access to at the stadium like the oven or air fryer. However, that doesn’t mean missing out on the action and being sidelined in the kitchen all game or that these recipes won’t travel to a tailgate.

With a flavor-packed, vibrant recipe, the lineup of Fresh Cravings Salsa offers a homemade-tasting alternative to softer, duller blends of jarred salsa. Made with high-quality ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes, crisp vegetables, zesty peppers and spices, the salsas make a perfect addition to these recipes from celebrity chef and entertainer George Duran, author of “Take This Dish and Twist It” and host of Food Network’s “Ham on the Street” and TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off.”

Kickoff your menu with an app like these Jalapeno Bacon and Salsa Biscuit Bites that meld together traditional tailgate tastes. Then put a Tex-Mex twist on a traditional favorite with this Enchilada Lasagna, perfect for feeding a crowd of hungry fans.

To round out the playbook, this Layered Mediterranean Hummus Salad can make for an accompaniment to a variety of main courses. The cucumbers, olives, cherry tomatoes and other veggies are balanced by the savory taste of Fresh Cravings Hummus. Made with a short list of high-quality ingredients like chickpeas, tahini and Chilean extra-virgin olive oil, it has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Find more game-winning recipes made for homegating and tailgating at FreshCravings.com.

Layered Mediterranean Hummus Salad

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran
Servings: 4-6

• 2          containers (10 ounces each) Fresh Cravings Hummus, any flavor
• 1          cup sliced cucumbers
• 1/2       cup Kalamata olives, seeded and roughly chopped
• 1/2       cup canned garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/4       cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3/4       cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/4       red onion, finely chopped
• 2          tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2       lemon, juice only
• extra-virgin olive oil
• zaatar, for sprinkling (optional)
• pita bread or tortilla chips

1. On bottom of large, flat serving dish or platter, use spoon to evenly spread hummus.
2. Layer cucumbers, olives, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion and parsley throughout hummus. Squeeze lemon juice over top.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Zaatar, if desired.  Serve immediately with pita bread or tortilla chips.

Enchilada Lasagna

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran
Servings: 4-6

• 2          tablespoons olive oil
• 1          large onion, chopped (1 cup)
• 1          deli roasted chicken, skin and bones removed, shredded
• 2          tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1          cup chicken stock or broth
• 8          ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2          cups shredded Tex-Mex cheese blend
• 16        ounces Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa, plus additional for serving
• 1          cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• nonstick cooking spray
• 6          flour tortillas (9 inches each)
• 1          cup tortilla chips, crushed
• 1          cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes.
3. Add shredded chicken and stir in taco seasoning. Add chicken broth and bring to simmer, about 5 minutes.
4. Add cream cheese, Tex-Mex cheese, salsa and cilantro. Stir until cream cheese is melted and simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Spray square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place two tortillas in bottom of pan, folding over or trimming sides of tortillas to fit.
6. Spoon half chicken mixture over tortillas. Repeat then place remaining tortillas over top. Mix crushed tortilla chips with cheddar cheese and sprinkle over top. Bake 30 minutes, or until lasagna is bubbling and lightly browned.
7. Let stand 10 minutes then top with additional salsa before serving.

Jalapeno Bacon and Salsa Biscuit Bites

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran
Yield: 16 biscuit bites

• 1          tube biscuit dough (8 biscuits total)
• 7          ounces grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4       cup jarred jalapenos, chopped
• 8          slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 1          cup Fresh Cravings Restaurant Style Salsa
• nonstick cooking spray

1. Preheat air fryer to 350-360 F.
2. Divide each biscuit in half by pulling apart in centers. Use hands to flatten each biscuit into circles. Set aside.
3. In bowl, mix mozzarella cheese with chopped jalapenos, bacon and salsa.
4. Add heaping spoonful into each flattened biscuit and pinch each together tightly to form balls. Top each with small amount of salsa mixture.
5. Spray nonstick cooking spray in air fryer and, working in batches, cook biscuit bites 6-9 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve warm.
7. Note: If air fryer access is unavailable, biscuit bites can be baked 8-10 minutes at 400 F in oven, or until golden brown.

Italian Sausage Lasagna
Holiday Breakfast Casserole
Old-Fashioned Italian Meatballs
Sausage Dippers

(Family Features) - When you want to bring the family together for a great meal this holiday season but don't have a lot of time to cook, stock up on flavorful ingredients to make your job easy and your whole family happy.

Whether you're serving a hearty breakfast, fun party appetizers or a casual dinner, using Johnsonville Sausage is a simple way to make your recipes taste more delicious than ever. With all the spices and seasonings you need included right in the sausage, you'll save time and have a flavorful meal sure to bring your family together this holiday season.

For more ways to add great taste to your holidays, visit www.johnsonville.com.

Italian Sausage Lasagna

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
• 1 16-ounce package Johnsonville Italian All Natural Ground Sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 large container of chunky pasta sauce
• 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups chopped fresh spinach, packed
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside. Sauté Italian sausage, onion and garlic in a skillet until sausage is browned; drain. Add pasta sauce to sausage mixture and set aside.
2. In medium bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and set aside.
3. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and spread 1 cup sauce mixture on the bottom. Top with 3 lasagna noodles. Spread 1/4 cup ricotta cheese mixture on noodles and layer on 1 cup sauce mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup spinach and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat this whole process 3 more times starting with the noodles; top with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to finish.
4. Bake uncovered in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Serves

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Holiday Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 packages (12 ounces each) Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage Links
• 6 English muffins cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
• 12 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup bacon bits

Preparation

1. Cook sausage according to package directions. Cool slightly; cut into 1/4-inch slices.
2. In a greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish, layer half the English muffin cubes and half the cooked sausage. Repeat layers. Drizzle with butter and top with the cheese, onion and red pepper.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over casserole. Sprinkle with bacon. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Uncover and bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes.

Serves

Yield 12 servings

Old-Fashioned Italian Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 16-ounce package Johnsonville Italian All Natural Ground Sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation

1. In large bowl, combine egg, milk and breadcrumbs. Let stand for 3 to 4 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Add sausage; mix well. Shape into meatballs.
2. In a large skillet, sauté meatballs in olive oil until golden brown and no longer pink.
3. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and noodles.

Serves

Yield approximately 12 meatballs

Sausage Dippers

Ingredients

• 3 packages Johnsonville Smoked Sausage, such as Beddar with Cheddar, BOLD Jalapeno & Cheddar or Chili Cheese, Smoked Turkey, Turkey with Cheddar or Polish sausage

Spicy Hot Buffalo Sauce

• 2 cups Blue Cheese Dressing
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1 bottle (12 ounces) hot sauce
• 1 bottle (16 ounces) blue cheese salad dressing

Orange Bourbon Barbecue Dip

• 1 cup bourbon or original barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup orange marmalade

Chinese Dipping Sauce

• 1 jar (7 ounces) hoisin sauce
• 1 jar (7 ounces) plum sauce

Creamy Mustard Dip

• 1 cup spicy brown mustard
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons horseradish

Cajun Mustard Dip

• 1 cup spicy brown mustard
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• Hot pepper sauce, to taste

Preparation

Sausage Dippers:
Cut sausage links into 1-inch pieces. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat until lightly browned and heated through. Serve with toothpicks and dipping sauces.

Spicy Hot Buffalo Sauce:
In microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and hot sauce. Cover and microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until smooth. Serve buffalo sauce in one bowl and blue cheese dressing in another bowl. Yield: 2 cups Buffalo Sauce plus 2 cups Blue Cheese Dressing

Orange Bourbon Barbecue Dip:
In microwave-safe bowl, combine barbecue sauce and orange marmalade. Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 1 1/4 cups

Chinese Dipping Sauce:
In microwave-safe bowl, combine hoisin sauce and plum sauce. Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Creamy Mustard Dip:
In a bowl, combine the mustard, sour cream and horseradish. Yield: 1 1/3 cups

Cajun Mustard Dip:
In a bowl, combine the mustard, seasoning and hot pepper sauce. Yield: 1 cup

Serves

Yield 18 servings

Source

www.johnsonville.com

Save

Save