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Disclaimer: We love all of your favorite football teams because it means time spent with family!

There’s just something special about college football Saturdays in our house. As soon as the air turns crisp and the leaves start to crunch underfoot, we know it’s time to bring out our scarlet and gray. Around here, we bleed Buckeye pride — and game day is more than just a football tradition. It’s a celebration of family, food, and fun that we look forward to all week long.

The Tradition of Togetherness

Every Saturday morning, the excitement starts early. The kids pull out their Ohio State sweatshirts, the house hums with pregame chatter, and the familiar “O-H!” echoes through the kitchen. There’s something comforting about knowing that no matter how busy the week has been, game day brings us all back together. In a world that moves so fast, these little rituals mean everything — the laughter, the snacks, and the shared cheers and maybe a few dramatic groans as we watch the game. We even have our own penalty flags for times we don’t agree with the on-field calls. Yes, it makes us feel better and is way cheaper than therapy!

Game Day Menu: Simple, Delicious, and Crowd-Pleasing

No football Saturday is complete without our favorite game day foods. My husband’s crockpot chili has become a family classic. It is hearty, flavorful, and perfectly simmered by kickoff time. I love how easy it is to throw together in the morning and let it fill the house with that cozy, savory aroma all day long. To go with it, I serve homemade cornbread, always a hit, especially when topped with a little honey butter. I round out the spread with fresh veggies and dip for some crunch and color — because even on game day, we’re still juggling real food and real life.

Delicious Thick and Flavorful Real Food Chili

Print Recipe

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This hearty game day chili is the ultimate comfort food for college football Saturdays! Loaded with lean ground turkey, flavorful pork sausage, beans, tomatoes, and a perfect blend of spices, it’s the kind of meal that simmers all day and fills your home with delicious, cozy aromas. Top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese for the perfect finishing touch. Serve it with warm cornbread and fresh veggies for a complete, crowd-pleasing game day spread that will have your family cheering long before kickoff!

Author: Juggling Real Food and Real Life
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: High for 4 hours or low for 8 hours
Total Time: 4 – 8 hours
Yield: 10 Servings and leftovers
Method: Crock pot

Ingredients

2 – pounds ground pork sausage
2- pounds ground turkey
4 -15oz can black beans rinsed
2 -15 oz can Dakota’s Chili Beans with liquid (we buy at Aldi) Can substitute kidney beans
1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes
2 -14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
2 -8 oz can tomato sauce
1 -2 cups tomato juice if desired
homemade chili seasoning 1/4 cup for meat + additional 1/2 cup for crockpot

Instructions

Brown ground sausage and turkey. Drain grease
Add homemade chili seasoning to meat mixture and stir until well incorporated
Place meat mixture in the crockpot
Place all beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce into the crockpot. (Add tomato juice if desired – See note below)
Add 1/4 cup of chili seasoning mix .
Gently stir all ingredients. Crock pot will be very full.

Notes

This recipe is for an extra-large crock pot. We cook a large batch for our family to eat and then have leftovers for lunch during the week. You could half the recipe for a smaller group.
This recipe makes a chili that is more of a thick stew-like consistency. If you prefer more of a soup consistency, add additional tomato juice.
Top with jalapenos, sour cream, or shredded cheese for additional flavor.

Celebrating in Style

Over the years, I’ve collected a bunch of themed serving pieces that make our table extra festive. Scarlet bowls, gray platters, stadium serving trays, and even an Ohio State crockpot. All of it adds to the fun. You don’t have to go overboard. Using just a few of your favorite team or football themed items make everything feel special. It’s those little details that turn an ordinary Saturday into a celebration.

Life Is a Celebration — Especially on Game Day

As a busy mom, I’ve learned that the magic isn’t in perfection — it’s in presence. College football Saturdays remind me to slow down and savor the moment. Whether the Buckeyes are winning big or we’re nervously watching every play, the best part is being surrounded by the people I love, sharing good food, laughter, and tradition. So, grab your team gear (we love you no matter what team you cheer for), pull out your slow cooker, and let’s make every game day a celebration of family, food, and all things college football.

What Next?

If you have any questions or gameday recipes you want to share with our readers, go ahead and drop a note in the comments below or you can come over to our Juggling Real Food and Life Community group over on Facebook. We would also love to hear what team you cheer for on Saturday.

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College Football Saturdays: Family, Food, and Buckeye Pride