The Spicy Twist On Chili Cheese Fries You Need For Game Day

Craveable game-day goodies have us using any sporting event as an excuse to tuck into our favorite snacks. Did somebody just throw a ball? Better make some nachos. Just as it's okay to change your lucky jersey occasionally, swapping out your go-to game-day fare can score points with your palate.

If you're looking for a flavor-packed dish to serve for meatless Monday night football, an easy Instant Pot chana masala won't disappoint. The enticing aroma of warm spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala will draw a crowd as revelers prepare to root for the home team. Even the heartiest of appetites will be satisfied by the bold, filling flavors in every bite of this Indian curry. The meat won't be missed when replaced by protein-packed chickpeas that are the star of this dish. They're also full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals with anti-inflammatory benefits that will make you feel better about polishing off the whole bowl.

As we gear up for cold-weather sports, a warm, aromatic bowl of spicy curry can really hit the spot while your team scores the goals. Chana masala is a satisfying substitute for traditional chili, and using it to reinvent another classic game-day dish might make it your new go-to.

Go for the W by subbing in delicious curry-covered fries for the classic chili cheese counterpart for your next game-day get-together. According to Epicurious, the intense spices, tangy tomatoes, and savory chickpeas in chana masala are similar to the flavors of a vegetarian chili but with an Indian-spiced kick from Kashmiri chili powder and serrano chiles. Pour it over sweet potato wedges to create a uniquely spicy take on the traditional snack.

Most people reach for chili cheese fries because of their rich, savory, ooey-gooey goodness, and this vegetarian version of the classic dish doesn't skimp on any of those flavors or textures. Mashing some of the chickpeas halfway through the cooking process creates a satisfyingly spoonable consistency reminiscent of Cincinnati-style chili, and a sprinkle of Monterey jack cheese brings all the must-have meltiness of cheese fries.

Flavors and aromas come together quickly in the Instant Pot, but if you need to get this dish to the table even faster, using store-bought frozen fries instead of roasting your potato wedges will get it done by kick-off. Pour the curry sauce over the fries and serve with thin-sliced red onion and tangy yogurt for a tasty twist on a game-day fave.