Entertaining for March Madness on A Budget

I've been busy sharing ideas on how to entertain this March Madness using my cookbook, 101 Things To Do With Meatballs! I wanted to share some of the tips that I have been sharing.

1. Simplify. With a handful of ingredients and little time involved, you can feed a crowd. If you know how many people are coming, visit clubentertaining.com. Enter in the number of guest, and it will help you know how much food you need.

2. Plan the menu. Club Entertaining also provides recipes on the website that you can use for the big game. 101 Things to Do with Meatballs along with my other 13 cookbooks offer simple recipes for appetizers, desserts, and more!

3. Don't spend a fortune! I buy the Casa di Bertacchi meatballs that come in the 6 pound bags at Sam's Club for only $11.98. That's less than $2 per pound. They are made with 100% whole boneless beef and steamed and seared. They come fully cooked which means that in no time at all and with a handful of ingredients you can make something delicious! I also like to use the Byron's Pulled Pork that you can also find at Sam's Club to feed a crowd. One tray will make 30 sandwiches and costs only $11.98. That's $ .40 per sandwich! I love to make BBQ pizza with it as well.

Easy Meatball Nachos

• 16 Casa Di Bertacchi fully cooked meatballs, thawed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) sliced stewed tomatoes, with liquid
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bag (10 ounces or larger) tortilla chips, any variety
• grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• sour cream, optional

1. Cut meatballs into quarters. In a large frying pan, saute the onion and bell pepper in oil over medium high heat until tender.
2. Stir in meatballs and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning, tomatoes, and beans.
3. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking apart tomato chunks.
4. Spoon meat mixture over individual servings of tortilla chips. Sprinkle cheese over top and garnish with sour cream.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Variation: Meat filling can also be served burrito style in warm flour tortillas.