Sunday Football Spread

When Jeff and I first got married I thought I'd never see him on a Sunday during football season again. But as our family grew, it actually started to become a fun weekly tradition and football season and game days became something that I looked forward to and a fun way to spend time together as a family. We have our usual 'game day eats' but last week I decided to make it a little more fun! Jeff is a huge Cowboys fan and they ended up winning (finally!), which really solidified a great day.

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Jeff manned the Traeger with his ribs (which questionably kept him at the outdoor bar by the TV the entire day), the kids ran around in their game-day best, and I got to do what I love most: turn the counter into a beautiful full spread and watch everyone dig in! Here's everything that made it onto the table and the recipes for all of it.

The Spread

I built the table around this beautiful football centerpiece that I made and the MacKenzie-Childs bowls I can't stop buying (more on where to find everything below!). Wood pedestal stands did double duty for height, and every platter got its own little football detail, because if we're doing game day, we're doing it right!

The Menu

• Football Hummus Platter

• Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

• Boursin & Prosciutto Crostini

• Football Pigs in a Blanket

• Mini Football Pizza Bites

• Chili Cups with Cornbread Tops

• Baked Potato Bar

• Fudgy Football Brownies

• Football Sugar Cookies

• Jeff's Ribs

Football Hummus Platter

Ingredients:

• 2 containers hummus

• Black olives, sliced

• Carrots

• Cucumbers

• Bell peppers

• Pita chips

Directions:

1. Spread hummus onto an oval platter.

2. Use sliced olives to create football "lace" lines down the center.

3. Arrange veggies and pita chips around the edge.

   
   

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

Ingredients:

• 12–15 jalapeños, halved & seeded

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup shredded cheddar

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 12–15 slices bacon (regular cut)

• Toothpicks

• Sour cream, for piping

Directions:

1. Mix cream cheese, cheddar, and garlic powder for the filling.

2. Stuff each jalapeño half, wrap with a piece of bacon, secure with a toothpick.

3. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 min until bacon is crisp.

4. Cool slightly, then pipe thin sour cream lines across the tops for football "laces."

   
   

Boursin & Prosciutto Crostini

Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced

• 1 package Boursin cheese (garlic & fine herbs)

• 4 oz prosciutto, torn into pieces

• Honey, for drizzling

• Fresh cracked pepper

Directions:

1. Slice the baguette and toast until golden.

2. Spread each slice generously with Boursin.

3. Top with a piece of torn prosciutto.

4. Drizzle with honey and finish with cracked pepper.

   
   

Football Pigs in a Blanket

Ingredients:

• 2 cans crescent roll dough

• 1 package cocktail smokies (mini sausages)

• Yellow mustard, for piping

• 1 egg, beaten (egg wash)

Directions:

1. Cut dough into strips, wrap each smokie, shaping slightly oval (football shape).

2. Brush with egg wash.

3. Bake at 375°F for 12–15 min until golden.

4. Once slightly cooled, pipe mustard "laces" down the center.

Mini Football Pizza Bites

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough (store-bought is fine)

• Pizza sauce

• Shredded mozzarella

• Pepperoni

• String cheese, for laces

Directions:

1. Shape dough into small ovals, top with sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni.

2. Bake at 425°F for 10–12 min.

3. Add torn string cheese "laces" in the last 2 minutes so they melt without disappearing.

Chili Cups with Cornbread

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cans kidney or pinto beans

• 1 can diced tomatoes

• 2 tbsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Shredded cheddar

• 1 box cornbread mix + egg, milk, butter (mini muffins)

• Small clear cups, for serving

Directions:

1. Brown the beef and onion. Add beans, tomatoes, and seasoning; simmer 30–40 min.

2. Bake mini cornbread muffins per box instructions.

3. To serve: spoon chili into cups, top with shredded cheddar and a mini cornbread muffin.

Baked Potato Bar

Ingredients:

• 6–8 russet potatoes

• Olive oil

• Butter

• Sour cream

• Shredded cheddar

• Bacon bits

• Chives or green onion

Directions:

1. Scrub and oil potatoes.

2. Bake at 400°F for 45–60 min until fork-tender.

3. Split open and set out toppings buffet-style.

   
   

Fudgy Football Brownies & Football Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 box brownie mix (+ eggs, oil, water per box)

• White icing, or powdered sugar + milk

Directions:

1. Bake per box instructions in a 9x13 pan. Cool completely.

2. Cut into football shapes.

3. Pipe on icing "laces."

Football Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 box (or tube) Pillsbury Ready to Bake Sugar Cookie dough

• White frosting

• Store-bought sprinkles

Directions:

1. Bake the cookie dough per package instructions. Cool completely.

2. Pipe on frosting "laces" and decorate with sprinkles.

   
   

Shop the Tablescape

A few of you always ask where everything comes from, so here's the rundown:

• MacKenzie-Childs Everyday Bowl, Black-and-White Courtly Check

• MacKenzie-Childs Enamel Compote, Large, Emerald Check

• Black-and-White Striped Vases

• Clear Football Snack Bowls

• The girls' matching smocked football dresses

• Footall is my Favorite Season Dish Towels

• Mackenzie Childs Tiered Dessert Stand

• Paper table runner (similar)

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If you want more of this — the real, sometimes-last-minute-swapped version of hosting — come join my newsletter. I'll also be including all of my Mariposa serveware favorites in this upcoming edition, so keep an eye out!

From my little family to yours – Happy Fall (even though its still high 90's over here!) & Happy Everything! Xo