Looking for game day snack ideas that don't involve a last-minute grocery run? Tantos puffed pasta chips are the move. Line up all four flavors, add a couple of dips, and you've got a spread that survives four quarters and overtime. No soggy chips, no drama. So much yes.
Game day snack ideas start here
Tantos, created by Chef Joe Sasto (Top Chef finalist) and made by Sasto Snacks, are the first and only puffed pasta chip, made from 100% semolina, cooked, dried, puffed, and seasoned with real Italian ingredients. Translation: they're sturdy enough to scoop, snacky enough to eat by the handful, and interesting enough that people will ask what they are mid-touchdown celebration.
They're also built for the exact chaos of a game day spread. Dip them, top them, board them next to the wings. Highbrow, lowbrow, we don't care who's watching.
Build the board: all four flavors, one spread
Ever put four pasta flavors on one board? Here's the lineup and how each one earns its spot at kickoff.
| Flavor | Game day move |
|---|---|
| Marinara | Yes to red sauce, no ladle required. Great next to meatballs or a mozzarella stick situation. |
| Pesto | Basil and Parm energy. Pairs shockingly well with a cold beer or a fancy sparkling water, no judgment either way. |
| Cacio e Pepe | Cheese and pepper, forever and ever. This is the one that disappears first, every time. |
| Classico | The neutral player. Loads up with any dip on the table and never complains. |
The dip lineup
A chip is only as good as what it's scooping. Set out a mix so nobody's stuck double-dipping into the same bowl all afternoon. What's your dip of choice, warm and cheesy or cool and tangy?
- Warm spinach artichoke dip, for the Classico and Pesto crowd
- Extra marinara, obviously, for the chip that's already named for it
- Ranch, because it's a highbrow-lowbrow classic and we don't apologize for it
- Whipped ricotta with black pepper, for the Cacio e Pepe overachievers
Want more dip ideas built specifically around a flavor? We already did the homework in 5 dips that were made for Cacio e Pepe chips.
Beyond the bowl: other ways to serve it
If a straight-up bag-and-bowl setup feels too simple for your crowd, walking nachos are the tailgate move. Ever tried them before kickoff? We've got a whole guide on that in Walking Nachos with Tantos: the tailgate upgrade. New to the whole puffed pasta chip concept? Start with What are pasta chips? and come right back.
Ingredients
- 1 bag Tantos Marinara
- 1 bag Tantos Pesto
- 1 bag Tantos Cacio e Pepe
- 1 bag Tantos Classico
- 1 cup warm spinach artichoke dip
- 1/2 cup extra marinara sauce, warmed
- 1/2 cup ranch
- 1/2 cup whipped ricotta with cracked black pepper
- Optional: mozzarella sticks, meatballs, sliced pepperoni for the board
How to make it
- Grab a big board or a couple of platters. Bigger is better here.
- Empty each bag of Tantos into its own section. Keep the flavors separated so people can build their own combos.
- Warm the marinara and spinach artichoke dip on the stove or microwave, then pour into small bowls.
- Add ranch and whipped ricotta in their own bowls, nestled between the chip piles.
- Fill any gaps with mozzarella sticks, meatballs, or pepperoni if you're going all in.
- Serve immediately, before kickoff, and watch the Cacio e Pepe pile disappear first.
FAQ
What snacks go with pasta chips on game day?
Warm dips are the move: marinara, spinach artichoke, ranch, or whipped ricotta all work. Add mozzarella sticks or meatballs if you want the board to feel like a full spread instead of a bowl of chips.
Which Tantos flavor is best for a crowd?
Honestly, all four together is the answer. Marinara, Pesto, Cacio e Pepe, and Classico cover every craving, so nobody's stuck picking at someone else's bag.
Are pasta chips healthier than regular chips?
Depends what you're comparing and we're not about to make claims we can't back up. Here's what we can say: Tantos are made from 100% semolina, cooked, dried, puffed, and seasoned with real Italian ingredients. Check the label on the bag for specifics.
Can I make walking nachos with Tantos for a tailgate?
Yes, and it's a genuinely great tailgate move. We break down the full setup in our walking nachos guide, linked above.
Where can I buy Tantos before game day?
Tantos are at Kroger, H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, World Market, and a growing crew of specialty and independent stores, plus eattantos.com and Amazon for delivery straight to your couch.
Ready to build the board? Shop the Variety Pack for all four flavors in one order, or find Tantos near you with the zip-based store locator at eattantos.com/pages/find-us.
Tantos takes its name from Tanto si, Italian for so much yes. We're believers in saying yes to the delicious things that make you happy, whenever, wherever, and however you're watching the game.