For this week’s game day menu, we are going to Italy. Unfortunately, you cannot host your football game day party in Tuscany. You can, however, turn your tailgate party into a delicious Italian-themed meal. We have three delicious Italian dishes that will take your guests on an Italian road trip as they dine in style. They are Italian Sausage & Peppers, Cheesy Baked Tortellini, and Grilled Mushroom Orzo.
Italian Game Day Menu
Italian Sausage & Peppers
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds Italian Sausage
- 6-8 large red/yellow/orange/green peppers
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 clove of garlic chopped
- Salt, pepper, Lawry’s seasoning salt, granulated garlic, grated parmesan cheese
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 long loaf of Italian bread
Italian sausage & peppers is as simple as it sounds. You will want to buy your Italian sausage in “the rope” if possible. If you do not have access to a deli or butcher that carries fresh Italian sausage, you will have to use the frozen links sold by most grocery stores. It will not be as delicious as fresh, but this dish will still impress your guests.
First up is to grill your Italian sausage, making sure you get that impressive char on the outside. Your sausage should look done on the outside while still being juicy on the inside.
While the sausage is grilling, it’s time to saute the peppers. Cut the peppers into one inch wide strips from top to bottom. Do the same with the sweet onion. Drizzle the olive oil into a large skillet, and then add in the peppers, onion, chopped garlic clove, and seasonings. Be sure to save the grated parmesan cheese for the end. Gently toss the peppers & onions so that they are completely covered in the olive oil and seasonings. Saute the peppers & onions until they are cooked through but not caramelized.
The Final Steps
When your sausage is done, cut it into three inch long pieces. Take the sausage links and grated parmesan cheese and add them to the skillet. Be sure to gently mix everything together to blend the flavors. Serve the sausage & peppers on a large platter along with the Italian bread. Just before serving cut the bread loaf into three-inch-long pieces. Your guests can make themselves a sausage & pepper sandwich or use the bread to sop up their plate. It’s not classy, but this is a tailgate party.
Cheesy Baked Tortellini
Ingredients
- 2 bags of frozen tortellini
- 2 pounds shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 1 jar of Alfredo sauce
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- sturdy foil pan
This incredible Italian dish is so easy to prepare and will be a favorite of your guests. Boil the tortellini as instructed on the bag. Place the cooked tortellini in a large bowl. Add in the half stick of butter and allow it to melt. Next, add in one pound of shredded mozzarella cheese and the Alfredo sauce. Gently toss the tortellini making sure everything is well blended. Place the tortellini into the foil pan spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese on top, then add the other pound of shredded mozzarella as the finishing layer. Cover the pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. After that, uncover the pan and bake an additional 15 minutes. Serve the tortellini as the side dish to your sausage & peppers. Be prepared for your guests to be amazed at the cheesy creation you prepared!
Grilled Mushroom Orzo
We’re going to use the Cajun Mushroom recipe to create the grilled mushrooms needed for this dish. Down below the mushroom instructions will be the steps for making the grilled mushroom orzo.
- 15-20 White Mushrooms or Baby Portobello Mushrooms
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
- Cajun Spice
- Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Chili Powder (optional)
- Cumin (optional)
Take the mushrooms and give them a good rinse under cold water, then snip off the end of the stems. Air dry or paper towel dry the mushrooms. For easy cleanup, place the dried mushrooms in a gallon size Ziploc bag. Drizzle in enough olive oil to coat the mushrooms thoroughly, then sprinkle in the desired seasonings. Close the baggie and shake the mushrooms until they are all coated in the seasonings. Remove the mushrooms and grill them directly on your charcoal or gas grill. Be sure to grill them on all sides and remove them after they get a good grilled crust on the outside. Be sure not to overcook them! After they have cooled, chop the mushrooms into small pieces.
Making Orzo Magic
Ingredients
- 2 pounds orzo
- 1 stick of butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- chopped grilled mushrooms
Follow the directions for boiling the orzo. Take the cooked orzo and place it in a large bowl. Add in the stick of butter, allowing it to melt. Next, add in the chopped mushrooms, grated parmesan cheese and olive oil. Toss your orzo until everything is completely coated. Serve the orzo and watch your guests faces as they eat. You will definitely be asked how you made the mushrooms because the grilled flavor will stand out.
Game Day Menu Ideas
So far this football season we kicked off the opening week in style, then followed that with a salute to Oktoberfest and classic chili dishes. Be sure to catch all of the upcoming game day menu ideas as the football season unfolds. We will offer a great variety and delicious seasonal themed classics too. Hopefully your team will be providing exciting games to match your incredible menus!
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