With football season underway, Sunday afternoons have never been better. Great food and cold beer are a must at any football party—whether that’s at home or tailgating at the stadium. While chips and dip are always a game day staple, adding in a few new cheesy and meaty dishes will definitely kick it up a notch in the food department.

Here are three Sargento Cheese Recipes that are quick to prepare and always a fan favorite:

1. Mini Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground chicken or turkey

¾ c barbecue sauce

½ c sliced green onions

½ tsp hot pepper sauce (optional)

8 slider rolls, split in half and toasted, if desired

8 slices of Sargento Ultra Thin Sliced Longhorn Colby Cheese

Beginning with the meat, sauté either the chicken, turkey, or mix of both over medium heat until the meat is lightly browned and no longer pink. Once cooked through, about 6 minutes, drain the meat and return it to the skillet.

Pour the barbecue sauce and green onions (and hot sauce if using it) over the meat, stir until the meat is coated, and allow the mixture to simmer until it is heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Lay open rolls and spoon the mixture over the bottom of the rolls. Top the meat with a slice of cheese and place the tops of the buns on.

With the layers of barbecued meat and melted cheese, it’s safe to say these will be gone before halftime.

2. Cheddar Bacon Stuffed Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 baking potatoes

1 ½ c Sargento Artisan Blends Shredded Double Cheddar Cheese

4 slices cooked bacon, diced

2 c broccoli florets, cooked crisp-tender

½ c thinly sliced green onion

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Optional: salsa or sour cream

In a 400-degree oven, bake potatoes for 55 minutes. Once they have cooled 10 minutes, cut potatoes in half, and scoop out the potatoes with a spoon, leaving ¼” thick shell.

Mash potato. In a separate bowl, mix cheese and bacon. Set ¼ c aside. Add broccoli, onion, salt, pepper, and remaining cheese and bacon to the potatoes. Add mix back into potato skins, top with set the leftover bacon and cheese, and bake for 20 minutes. Top with salsa or sour cream.

The mix of cheese, bacon, and potato kick game day food up to a whole new level.

3. Avocado and Tomato Quesadillas

Ingredients:

4 large tortillas

8 slices Sargento Colby-Jack Cheese, halved

2 avocados, sliced

2 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 chopped red onion

On one side of each tortilla, layer 2 slices of cheese, avocados, tomatoes, and onions, and 2 more slices of cheese. Fold the tortilla over, and cook in a skillet until cheese is melted and each side is golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.

These three cheesy appetizers are pure comfort food. So, regardless of whether your team wins or loses, these snacks are perfect to drown both your sorrows and elation in.

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