(Family Features) Football season is back, and that means it’s time to stock up on all the tailgating essentials. Nailing the food lineup is key because few things can ruin a good game like getting “hangry” before kickoff. This year, kick your game up a notch with simple tailgating recipes that bring the perfect blend of flavor and heat. These easy recipes will get you enjoying the festivities in no time, whether you’re tailgating at the stadium or homegating on your couch.

No matter which team you and your friends are rooting for, there’s one thing that all football fans can agree on: wings are the MVPs of game day. Wings have been holding the line ever since 1964, when Frank’s RedHot was the key ingredient in the first-ever Buffalo wings.

After all these years, there’s a reason wings keep their defending champ status: they’re easy to make and a surefire way to deliver that classic Buffalo flavor. Just bake the wings for half an hour to get that crispy coating, toss with your two-ingredient buffalo sauce and you’re all set. Serve them up with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks and you’ll be on your way to the ultimate tailgate.  

In order to make sure you’ve got the win locked in, have more than one play in your back pocket. Turn to another tried-and-true, one-pot classic: chili.

Don’t overthink it – all you need to do is brown some ground beef, add some onion then crushed tomatoes, beans, hot sauce and seasoning. All you need is 15 minutes to build flavor and you’re good to go. Even easier, let your slow cooker do the work. Finish it off with shredded cheese, scallions, sour cream and more hot sauce, and you’ll have the hearty chili you need to keep the tailgate going strong. Enjoy your chili on its own or spoon it on top of hot dogs, nachos and whatever else you have on your plate.

For more tailgate tips and great-tasting game day recipes, visit franksredhot.com/recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

• 2 1/2    pounds chicken wing pieces 
• 1/2       cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 1/3       cup butter, melted 
• blue cheese dressing
• celery sticks

1. Heat oven to 450° F.
2. In foil-lined pan, bake wings 30 minutes until crispy, turning once.
3. In bowl, combine sauce and butter.
4. Toss wings in sauce to coat completely.
5. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Chili

• 2          pounds ground beef
• 1          large onion, chopped
• 1          can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
• 1          can (15-19 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
• 1/4       cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 2          packages (1 1/4 ounces) chili seasoning mix
• shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• scallions (optional)
• sour cream (optional)

1. In large, nonstick pot, cook beef until browned.
2. Add onion; cook 3 minutes. Drain.
3. Stir in tomatoes, beans, sauce and seasoning mix. Heat to boiling. Stir often.
4. Simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes, or until flavors are blended. Stir often.
5. Garnish, as desired, with shredded cheddar cheese, scallions and sour cream.

Source: Frank’s RedHot

(Family Features) Whether you want to step up your hosting game or just plan to contribute to the game day spread, it’s easy to create the perfect plan with an array of premium food, without the premium price tags.

Simplify party prep and cleanup: Paper towels, plastic cutlery and game day-themed plates and napkins can make post-party cleanup a breeze, not to mention festive. Save time on party prep by picking up everything you need at one location. You can find these paper goods and all the ingredients for a tasty spread, including fresh produce, meats, dips, chips and snacks, at a grocery store like ALDI. There are plenty of options to fit nearly every lifestyle and budget.

Make it buffet style: Let your guests serve themselves on game day. Buffets showcase a wide variety of dips, chips and snacks and are an affordable, fun option to please all your guests. This party trick also makes it easy to grab a quick bite between plays or during commercial breaks.

Go after unusual suspects: Elevate traditional dips, hummus, guacamole and salsa with different dipping options. Crostini, crispbread, gluten-free crackers and unexpected veggies like rainbow carrots, sugar snap peas and asparagus would add dimension to your menu and put a spin on your favorite game day snacks.

Get out of the kitchen: Just because you’re hosting should not mean you don’t get to enjoy yourself. Avoid spending hours in the kitchen with this crowd-pleasing Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe. Mix the ingredients in a slow cooker, turn it on high and then you’re ready to kick off the party.

Find more ideas and recipes for game day at ALDI.com.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Recipe courtesy of Chef Leigh An, ALDI Test Kitchen

• 2          pounds Kirkwood Never Any! Chicken Breasts
• 1          cup Burman's Hot Sauce 
• 1/2       cup Tuscan Garden Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• 8          ounces Happy Farms Cream Cheese, at room temperature
• 1          teaspoon sea salt from Stonemill Sea Salt Grinder 
• 2          teaspoons pepper from Stonemill Peppercorn Grinder 
• 1          cup Happy Farms Colby Jack Shredded Cheese

1. In slow cooker, combine chicken, hot sauce, ranch, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Turn slow cooker to high and cook 2 hours and 30 minutes.
2. Shred chicken. Add cheese to slow cooker and stir. Turn slow cooker to warm and enjoy with tortilla chips, baguettes or crunchy veggies.

Tip: For easy shredding, place cooked chicken breasts in stand mixer with paddle attachment and turn on low until shredded.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Source: ALDI