Whether you’re rooting for your alma mater or just hoping that you’ll win fifty bucks in the office pool, March Madness brings everyone together to watch the big games. As you’re following this year’s Cinderella story team, you’re going to be reaching for snacks to stress eat.
Skip the boring potato chips and serve up these appetizers to keep you more satisfied (and calmer) during the tournament.
Crockpot Mini Meatballs
These easy meatballs are always a fan favorite at our watch parties. All you need is ground beef meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce — and of course, your trusty crockpot.
Form bite-sized meatballs with Prime House Direct ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, and the seasonings of your choice. Bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until they’re cooked through. Pro tip: Make them in bulk and freeze to use in spaghetti, on subs, or for party meatballs.
Add grape jelly and chili sauce to your crockpot to taste, increasing the chili sauce for more spice. Toss in your cooked meatballs (frozen or fresh) and heat until warmed through. That’s it — they’re ready to serve!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Is it even a party without BCD? Expect this beloved party dip to be gone first (and maybe make a second tray in preparation). Everyone knows store bought just isn’t the same, so here’s how you can make buffalo chicken dip at home.
Cook chicken breasts your favorite way — we love to throw them in the instant pot with broth for the most hands-off method. Shred up the cooked chicken and add it to an oven-safe baking dish.
In the dish, mix together buffalo sauce, a block of cream cheese, ranch dressing or seasoning, cheddar cheese, and blue cheese (controversial, we know). You can also add finely chopped celery and onions if you’d like.
Smooth the mixture into a single layer and top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Serve with tortilla chips, sliced red peppers, or celery sticks.
Steak Nachos
Sitting down for the game with a beer and a huge tray of nachos is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Elevate your nacho game by topping them with slices of steak cooked carne asada style.
Using your favorite cut from Prime House Direct, we recommend marinating your steak in orange juice, lime juice, garlic, olive oil, and taco seasoning for authentic flavor. Cook your steak however you like, whether that’s on the grill, cast iron, or flat top.
Layer tortilla chips, cheese, and all of your favorite toppings on a baking sheet — we love to add olives, corn, beans, and onions. Make sure to top with a final layer of cheese before you put it in the oven to melt. Once the cheese is bubbling, pull out your nachos and finish them off with your sliced steak, cilantro, salsa, and sour cream.
Sloppy Joe Sliders
These sliders turn a childhood favorite into the perfect party snack. Make sure you have plenty of napkins ready! You can keep it simple or show off your chef skills with this recipe.
After browning ground beef in a pan, you can create a delicious homemade sauce using onions, bell peppers, and pantry staples. If you’re short on time, the canned sauce works just as well. Toast your slider buns in the oven, then layer on your sloppy joe meat.
Chicken Fingers
Do you want to have complete focus on the game? Let us make your life a whole lot easier. Our breaded chicken fingers are a no-prep appetizer that are sure to please a crowd.
Just pull your chicken fingers out of the freezer and pop them in your oven or air fryer until warmed through and crispy. During a commercial break, consider tossing them in buffalo or BBQ sauce, or mix up some honey mustard to serve alongside the chicken fingers.
Make your March Madness watch party a slam-dunk with Prime House Direct. Our high quality meats come at shockingly low prices — knocking sky-high grocery store costs out of the game. Place an order for your party today, or sign up for our subscription box to be game-ready year round.