• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · ESSENCE Eats

5 Game Night Recipes That Will Bring the Family Together

Sponsored by Coca-Cola®
By · Updated December 6, 2020
Between juggling school, work, sports and extra-curricular activities, family game night can really be a moment when everyone comes together to make lasting memories. There’s no need to order takeout to make this fun-filled night complete. Everyone will win big with awesome eats you can create in your own kitchen. This party calls for a game plan that everyone in the family can get behind. And it all starts with quick, delicious dishes that taste even better when served with an ice-cold Coca-Cola that your whole crew will love. Go grocery shopping for all of the ingredients you need so you are ready to cook before you smoke the competition. You can start off by cooking together or get ahead of the fun by prepping these eats early to surprise all the players to keep them fueled up throughout the games. So, grab your family, your favorite games and get ready for a great night in with our top 5 recipes and delicious Coca-Cola to bring everyone together!

Getty

SPINACH DIP |  Makes 2 cups Ingredients
  • 1 10oz. package frozen spinach, thawed, drained
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  • Squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as possible with a clean dishtowel or paper towels
  • Melt butter in a medium pan over medium-high heat
  • Sauté shallot until soft, 3–5 minutes
  • Stir in paprika, spinach, cream cheese, cream, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring, until warmed through and slightly reduced—approx.. 8-10 minutes
  • Add more cream if needed to reach desired consistency
  • Serve with veggies, bread or chips
HOT TIP: Dip can be made 1 day ahead. Store in an airtight container and chill. Warm before serving.  

NACHO PIZZA | Makes 6 slices Ingredients
  • 1 prebaked 12-inch pizza crust
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup refried beans
  • 1 cup refrigerated fully cooked barbecued shredded beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeno slices
  • 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
  • Shredded lettuce, sour cream and salsa (OPTIONAL)
Instructions
  1. Place crust on an ungreased pizza pan, brush with oil
  2. Spread beans over crust, top with beef, tomatoes, jalapenos and cheese
  3. Bake at 450° for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted
  4. Serve with lettuce, sour cream and salsa (OPTIONAL)
 

PULLED PORK SLIDERS | Makes 12 servings Ingredients
  • 2-lb boneless pork loin roast
  • 1 18oz jar of your favorite BBQ Sauce
  • water, if needed
  • 12 slider rolls
Instructions
  1. Place pork in a slow cooker and add enough water to cover the bottom
  2. Cook on low for 7 hours
  3. Transfer pork to a bowl and shred with 2 forks
  4. Return pork to slow cooker and stir in barbeque sauce
  5. Continue to cook on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour
  6. Spoon into each roll
 

FRIED MAC & CHEESE BITES |  Makes 8 servings Ingredients Macaroni and Cheese:
  • 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mac & cheese
  • nonstick cooking spray as needed
Fried Bites:
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • vegetable oil as needed
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
  2. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is bubbly.
  3. Slowly whisk in milk into the flour mixture, still whisking until sauce is smooth.
  4. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 minute.
  5. Stir in the shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
  6. Remove from heat and fold the pasta into the cheese sauce.
  7. Spray 6-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon mac and cheese into pan.
  8. Refrigerate for an 1 hour or until macaroni and cheese is completely cooled.
  9. Place flour, eggs and breadcrumbs in three separate bowl. Cut chilled macaroni and cheese into 16 pieces, cutting pan 4x
  10. Roll each macaroni and cheese bite as follows: First coat bite lightly with flour, then dip in eggs, then coat with bread crumbs.
  11. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
  12. Cook about half of the bites at one time, frying bites for 1-1 1/2 minutes per side.
  13. Drain bites on paper towels. Serve immediately
 

CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS | Makes 6 Servings Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons peanut oil, divided
  • 3/4 cup chopped mushrooms
  • 1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained, diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced gingerroot
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup green onions
  • 12 Butter lettuce leaves
Instructions
  1. Coat a large non-stick with cooking spray, cook chicken in 1 tablespoon oil for 3 minutes; drain.
  2. Add mushrooms, water chestnuts and ginger; cook 4-6 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and remaining oil.
  4. Stir in the carrots, onions and chicken mixture.
  5. Spoon onto lettuce leaves.
TOPICS:  ESSENCE Eats
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now