If you’re craving street corn but don’t feel up to grilling, this Crock Pot street corn dip is your wish fulfilled. Seriously, this dip is a total gamechanger because you can just dump in the ingredients and walk away. A couple of hours later, you’ve got this bubbly, cheesy appetizer that’s perfect for scooping up with a big handful of sturdy chips or other tasty dippers!

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If you’re looking for a saucy, crowd-pleasing dinner that you can enjoy any time of the year, this is it! Best of all, you can whip up this crave-worthy meal in just 25 minutes – even faster than a trip to the drive-thru for a Big Mac! And did I mention – I love making these for Game Day? This recipe makes 5, so double or triple it for a crowd.

Toast the buttered buns right in the heated skillet for the perfect crunch, and don’t be shy about doubling the special sauce for an extra sloppy consistency (or store the extra sauce for other dishes in the week). Your guests are going to LOVE you!

The post Big Mac Sloppy Joes appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

A brief 2-minute blanch, followed by an ice bath, locks in the fresh green beans’ vivid color and crisp bite – a texture canned varieties simply can’t match. This make-ahead 4 bean salad recipe makes it an ideal choice for entertaining, as the salad requires at least two hours to chill and can be prepared up to three days in advance, with its flavors only improving as they meld.

The post 4 Bean Salad appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

The magic of this dish lies in its layered heat – the shrimp first rests in a spicy marinade, then finishes in a pan with a second hit of chili paste that’s used to build the mouth-watering sauce. 

It’s this effortless yet sophisticated technique that makes this recipe a real gem – simple and fast enough for a busy weeknight with the family, yet perfectly elegant for celebrating special occasions like a festive Christmas Eve supper, a sparkling New Year’s Eve party, or Game Day gathering!

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Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or looking for the ultimate centerpiece for an intimate party, these recipes are sure to satisfy and impress. Discover your new favorite game day food ideas with creative ways to style them for maximum impact!

The post 25 Game Day Food Ideas That Always Win The Crowd appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

The key to these charcuterie nachos is to start with sturdy, kettle-cooked potato chips which support the generous layers of toppings without getting soggy. While I love presenting these Italian nachos on a large serving platter, they also make a fantastic centerpiece on a big board.

Surround them with other spooky finger foods, like these Jalapeno Popper Mummies, for a monstrously delicious feast that will keep your guests coming back for more. 

What are Italian nachos?

These Italian nachos are a creative and delicious holiday snack or appetizer – perfect for your Halloween parties and other social gatherings! They start with a base of sturdy, cheesy potato chips and then get loaded with Italian meats (like salami and prosciutto), rich burrata cheese, onion jam, and olives. 

A final drizzle of hot honey, a sprinkle of very finely grated Parmesan and fresh basil create a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in every bite that’s truly irresistible!

Ingredients needed to make this Italian nachos recipe

• Potato chips: We use 1 pound of Kettle Black Pink Salt potato chips which are sturdy enough to withstand the heat from the oven and the weight of the toppings. 
• Grated mixed cheese: We enjoy a mix of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. A pack of finely shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend always has a great variety of cheese!
• Salami: A combination of pepper coated dry salami (thinly sliced) and Italian dry salami (cut into triangles). 
• Prosciutto: Thinly sliced and added in little clumps.
• Pitted mixed olives: Drained and chopped. We use the Delallo brand, but you could use a different brand. 
• Caramelized onion jam: We buy the Davina brand. It’s also possible to use this homemade Bacon Onion Jam.  
• Burrata with Black Truffles: We buy the Bel Gioioso brand. 
• Fresh basil: Finely chopped and sprinkled lightly over the assembled nachos just before serving.  
• Hot honey: Drizzled over the top of the assembled charcuterie nachos. We love to use Mike’s Hot Honey. Regular honey can be used if you don’t enjoy honey infused with chilies. 
• Parmesan cheese: Finely grated over the nachos just before serving. 

How do you make Italian nachos? 

Prepare the cheesy chip base:

1. Preheat the oven to BROIL and move the rack to the top position.
2. Spread out the chips on a large baking tray or oven-proof large plate.
3. Sprinkle with the finely shredded mixed cheese. 
4. Place the tray of chips in the oven and broil on high until the cheese is melted, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stand there and WATCH that the chips do not burn.

Add the toppings:

1. Remove the tray from the oven and layer the salami and prosciutto on top of the chips. 
2. Next, distribute the chopped olives.

1. Add spoonful’s of the jam, spreading it a little (without breaking any chips).
2. Drain the burrata and then break the ball into small pieces, spreading it on top of the nachos.

Garnish and serve:

1. Drizzle the hot honey over the top of the nachos and finely grate the Parmesan over. 
2. Sprinkle the charcuterie nachos with freshly chopped basil and enjoy!

Serving

Once assembled, serve these charcuterie nachos immediately for the best flavor and texture. 

Serve them as is for a delicious holiday party snack or appetizer, or add them to a charcuterie board, surrounded by sliced apples, clumps of grapes, hot peppers, sliced pears, toasted or candied nuts, and anything else that you love to snack on! 

Check out this Fall Charcuterie Board and Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board for more ideas of the types of finger foods you can add to your board. 

Get the party started with refreshing cocktails served alongside your favorite holiday snacks and appetizers, such asCranberry Kir Royale Holiday Drink, Pear Martini Cocktail, or Holiday Sangria. 

Sandy’s tips and substitutions:

• Avoid an overly soggy topping: Make sure to properly drain your olives and burrata. If you don’t, excess liquid can create a soggy topping which will quickly soften the crunchy Kettle chips. 
• Storage: These Italian nachos are meant to be eaten immediately as the crunchy chips will quickly soften from the moist toppings. Leftover fresh toppings should be stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge and used up within 1-2 days.  
• Type of chips: It’s important to use sturdy potato chips when making classic nachos so that they retain their structure under the weight of the toppings and can withstand some heat from the oven. We buy a big bag at Costco.
• Switch up the toppings: Add your favorite toppings to these charcuterie nachos. Crispy pieces of bacon, sliced or diced red bell peppers, shredded mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, and red onion are all great options. 

• When serving on a charcuterie board: When serving these Italian nachos on a charcuterie board, we like to position a potholder in the center of a board and place the prepared nachos on top of the potholder to prevent any damage to the board. 
• For added convenience: Buy the Beretta Antipasto pack from Costco. It has 3 types of salami with prosciutto which is likely to also save you money compared to buying these individually. 
• Double the recipe for a large party!

More nacho ideas you’ll love for entertaining

• Strawberry Vegetarian Nachos
• The Best Nacho Recipe
• Game Night Baked Nacho Board
• Banana Split Honeycrisp Apple Nachos

Print

Italian Nachos

Make these spooktacular Italian Nachos in less than 10 minutes, served on a large platter or big board as an easy and delicious holiday appetizer!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 9 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Calories 467kcal

Author Sandy Coughlin

Equipment

• large platter that is oven proof

Ingredients

• 1 pound Bag of Kettle Black Pink Salt Potato Chips sturdy chips
• 1 cup finely grated mixed cheese we use a mix of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses
• 4 oz Pepper coated dry salami thinly sliced
• 4 oz Italian dry salami cut in triangles
• 4 oz Prosciutto thinly sliced, added in little clumps
• ½ cup pitted mixed olives chopped (we use Delallo brand), drained
• 4 oz Caramelized onion jam we buy Davina brand
• 4 oz Burrata with Black Truffles we buy Bel Gioioso brand
• A handful of fresh basil finely chopped
• Hot honey we use Mike’s Hot Honey
• 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese finely grated

Instructions

• Preheat oven to BROIL. Move the rack up to the top position.
• On a large baking tray or oven-proof large plate, spread out the Kettle chips to make a base for the nachos. Make sure the chips are sturdy!
• Sprinkle with the finely shredded mixed cheese. Place in the oven and broil on high until the cheese is melted, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Remove from the oven and layer on top of the chips, the salami and prosciutto. Next, distribute the chopped olives.
• Add small spoonfuls of the Caramelized Onion Jam, spreading it a little (without breaking any chips).
• Drain the burrata and then tear the ball into small pieces, spreading it on top of the nachos.
• Drizzle the hot honey over the top of the nachos and grate fresh Parmesan cheese on top (the finer the better).
• Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil.
• Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 1024mg | Potassium: 666mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 1mg

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Your friends and guests will devour these flavorful, easy-to-make party snacks and appetizers that are guaranteed to disappear from the platter in no time. Join me and dive in to find your next party favorite! Whether you’re serving these for game day, tailgating, potlucks or parties–check the simple ingredients and see which recipe works for you?

The post 28 Party-Perfect Appetizers and Dips Guests Devour appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

This recipe allows you the flexibility to choose your preferred cooking method. For a truly hands-off approach, slow-cooking this chicken chili lets you set it and forget it, resulting in a meal that’s ready and waiting for you at the end of the day. If you’re short on time, the stovetop method delivers the same incredible flavor in under an hour, making it perfect for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner.

The cream cheese makes this chili extra comforting, soothing the spicy bite of chili powder and green peppers, while the chopped (or shredded) rotisserie chicken adds convenience to the preparation and a lighter version for those who don’t want a heavy meal. 

The post White Chicken Chili appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

If you’ve never made jam before, you might be surprised at just how simple it is, requiring just one skillet and about 40 minutes from start to finish. Once the bacon is crispy and the onions caramelized, the rest of the process for this bacon onion jam recipe is largely hands-off, as the jam simmers gently into a thick, glossy spread. 

This bacon onion jam goes way beyond just a basic burger condiment! Keep a jar of it in your fridge as your new secret weapon for elevating everything from a weekday grilled cheese to an impressive holiday appetizer platter. It stores beautifully and can easily be doubled – because we know you’ll need more!

The post Bacon Onion Jam appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

This garlic bread dip gets even better with its melty cheese topping and crunchy “Everything But The Bagel” seasoning. After baking to golden perfection, a final sprinkle of fresh chives adds vibrant color and a bright, herbal finish.

Enjoy this appetizer with your favorite dippers, add it to this Steak Caprese Sandwich Board, or spread it on flatbread pizza, sliders, crostinis, crusty bread, and more. 

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