The madness is here! March Madness has taken over the country which means it’s time to get a little crazy with the friends, parties and of course, food. Game days get a little more intense as many college basketball teams battle out their rivalries on the court. With the competition comes plenty of action and excitement and you’re going to want the right party snacks to match it all. We’re talking dips, nachos, chilis, wings and all that good stuff. From spinach artichoke dip to stuffed peppers, we’ve rounded up the dream team of our best March Madness party recipes.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Now we all know how simple spinach and artichoke dip is to make. The only thing more simple than that is our slow cooker version made with our Steamed Artichoke Hearts. Green leafy spinach broken down into a hot and bubbly creamy dip combined with the irresistible flavors of hearty artichokes, what’s not to love? After just a few hours on the slow cooker, you have yourself a fun and cheesy appetizer to serve at parties or gatherings. To serve alongside this recipe, the only thing you need are your favorite crunchy dippers.
Oaxaca Chile Rubbed Baby Back Ribs
When it comes to a March Madness gathering, you can’t go wrong with baby back ribs. And you’ll especially be doing something right with our Oaxaca spice-rubbed version. The secret is in the spice, which features special chiles hailing from Mexico’s coastal state of Oaxaca. These dried Oaxaca chiles have been smoke-dried in a traditional cooking process that produces a sharp, lingering heat with an intense spicy flavor. The juicy pork ribs are rubbed with this special dry rub and then slow-roasted in the oven until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Smoked Mackerel and Pearl Onion Dip
This recipe pays homage to both the classic French onion dip and smoked mackerel dip with a little twist by tying them together into one out-of-this-world appetizer. Pearl onions contain a mild, sweet flavor with a similar bite to boiler onions, though smaller in size. Both happen to be sweeter than regular sized onions, which makes them a neat ingredient to use in this game day worthy dip. The mildly sweet flavors of the pearl onions are intensified by roasting them in the oven and are combined with the smokey flavors of the mackerel. The result is a creamy dip that’s simply addicting when eaten with potato chips or crackers.
Let’s go back to basics with this salsa. Salsa can cover a broad spectrum of recipes with a wide range of ingredients but nothing beats the classics. All you need for this delicious dipper are Roma tomatoes, sweet onions, chile peppers such as jalapenos or serranos, salt, cilantro and a big squeeze of lime juice. If you want to dress things up a little more, try our Cinco de Mayo Salsa made with Veggie Sweet Mini Peppers or Spicy Exotic Salsa with tropical fruits such as dragon fruit and cherimoya.
Roasted Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Bring a fiesta of flavors to your March Madness party with these Roasted Quinoa Stuffed Peppers. This is our healthy twist on stuffed peppers, which are filled with delicious, nutty quinoa, protein-rich black beans, sweet corn and more. The recipe may be simple and meatless but don’t underestimate just how filling and scrumptious they turn out. After cooking the ingredients separately, all you need to do to assemble is stuff the peppers, top off with plenty of cheese and pop it into the broiler for a couple of minutes!
Party Chili with New Mexico Hatch Chiles
This chili is a true party on the palate! Every March Madness gathering needs chili on the menu to feed a crowd and this one is sure to get everyone pumped. After all, with their unique flavor, Hatch Chiles that take things to next-level delicious. If you don’t happen to have these seasonal chiles in the freezer from our roastings last year, you may substitute them with Anaheim chiles, which are just as tasty. This chile happens to be our vegetarian version, made with our Soy Taco and Steamed Red Kidney Beans. Top it off with some shredded cheese and let the cheering begin!
One recipe we’ve been going mad over are these vegetarian Fioretto nachos. Nachos are always a mouthwatering crowdpleaser but these ones are a slam dunk! Taking care of that nacho fix has never been easier with this fantastic sheet pan version. And because Fioretto is both delicious and filling, you just may find yourself swapping out most of the tortilla chips for its florets instead. A healthy win-win for all!
You know we can’t get through a game day recipe roundup without including wings! Whether you like them roasted, deep-fried, dry-rubbed or sauced, wings are the quintessential party food. These wings happen to be extra saucy which is exactly how we prefer them. All you need to do is combine your favorite BBQ sauce with Sriracha, a hot chile sauce, and diced Hatch chiles (or Anaheim chiles) and toss in your wings. The result is a flavorful explosion and the perfect March Madness finger food. Make a big batch of these–they’re sure to go fast!
And here is a special video on Malt Vinegar Smashed Hatch Dutch Yellow® Potatoes! Crispy with a flavorful crust on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, smashed potatoes are that perfect in-between of baked potatoes and roasted potatoes. These DYPs’® are a slam dunk recipe with its delicious flavors from our Hatch chile powder and malt vinegar.
What will you be feasting on during March Madness? What teams have you be rooting for? And what are your favorite foods to eat on game day?