There are bound to be some good games and upsets this March Madness and we are rooting for several of our hometown favorites - go Bluejays and Cyclones!

Entertaining a crowd for the big tournament doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are my top three tips for a budget-friendly meal for entertaining.

Litehouse Zesty Italian is an easy, delicious marinade for meats and vegetables

 

Stock Up On Meat and Poultry. Meat can be expensive. I can’t fathom buying meat at regular price, especially for a party. With the prices here in Iowa, my price to buy chicken, ground beef and pork ribs is $1.99 and under per pound. Chicken legs and wings are even less when on sale. I rarely buy steaks because of the price, but flank steak is a relatively cheap cut and what we use in these kabobs. Stocking up when meat is on sale means your less likely to overpay when your preparing for a large group. Use what you have on hand. When planning your meal, consider what you have on hand. I did not need to buy any new ingredients for these skillet herb potatoes. Litehouse herbs and a 5 lb. bag of potatoes is all you need! Buy in season. Buying fresh fruit and vegetables can get expensive when cooking for a group. Fruits and veggies are usually cheapest when they are in season. Here is a list to help you purchase what’s in season!

Kabobs For A Crowd

 

Now that you’ve got a delicious budget meal, here are some quick twenty-minute appetizer recipes. Join in on the Munch Madness fun when you are enjoying quality food while cheering on your favorite teams this March Madness! Check Litehouse’s Facebook page on game days to vote for your favorite dressings. Litehouse is giving away over $500 in prizes! What are your favorite meals to serve when entertaining?