35 Bring-a-Dish Recipes That Make You Queen of the Potluck
Updated: Feb. 25, 2022
Want to wow everyone at your next get-together? Make any of these five-star potluck dishes and be the star of the show!
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Overnight Layered Lettuce Salad
This classic is a family favorite from a church cookbook I’ve had for 40 years. The bacon adds a fabulous crunch. —Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida
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Potluck Fried Chicken
This Sunday dinner staple is first fried and then baked to a crispy golden brown. Well seasoned with oregano and sage, this classic is sure to satisfy diners at church potlucks or late-summer picnics. I love fixing it for family and friends. —Donna Kuhaupt, Slinger, Wisconsin
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Best Ever Beans and Sausage
When my wife asks what she should make for a gathering, she's always told to bring this—and a couple of copies of the recipe! — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
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Barbecue and Beer Meatballs
This simple meatball recipe relies on timesaving ingredients like frozen meatballs and barbecue sauce. It's the perfect last-minute appetizer! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad
What's a potluck without strawberry pretzel salad? This summer side dish (or should we say dessert?) is definitely a recipe to keep in your back pocket.
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Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake
I created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Khmer Pickled Vegetable Salad
I grew up as a missionary kid in Cambodia, and most of my favorite foods have a Southeast Asian background. Locals love eating this pickled salad for breakfast, but I like it as a side for lunch or dinner, especially with chicken satay. —Hannah Heavener, Belton, Texas
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Arnold Palmer Cupcakes
These fun cupcakes take a favorite Arnold Palmer recipe and turn it into dessert. Add a slice of lemon on top for a puckery finish. —Jessee Arriaga, Reno, Nevada
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Jalapeno Popper Spread
I've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
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Rainbow Fruit Salad
When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana
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White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
Friends sometimes ask me to make these for wedding receptions. For a fancier presentation, I cut the bars into triangle shapes and drizzle white chocolate over each one individually. —Erika Busz, Kent, Washington
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Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole
Bacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It's one of our family's beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, Arizona
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Ramen Noodle Salad
Full of color and crunch from fresh veggies, seeds and nuts, ramen noodle salad is a quick recipe to toss together for a picnic side.
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Taco Cornbread Casserole
A whole can of chiles adds fire to this casserole. For less heat, you can use just enough of the can for your taste. —Lisa A. Paul, Terre Haute, Indiana
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German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
I first tried tres leches cake while I was in Ecuador several years ago. Since then, I’ve changed it up by adding some of my favorite ingredients, namely chocolate and coconut. This version also has a splash of rum for an adults-only treat. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
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Bacon, Cheddar and Swiss Cheese Ball
When it’s time for a party, everyone always requests this ultimate cheese ball—it’s such an impressive appetizer. And if you’re a party guest, it makes a fabulous gift for your hosts.—Sue Franklin, Lake St. Louis, Missouri
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Frosted Banana Bars
These bars are always a hit at potlucks in the small rural farming community where my husband and I live. I also like to provide them for coffee hour after church. They're so moist and delicious that wherever I take them, they don't last long. —Karen Dryak, Niobrara, Nebraska
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Summertime Slaw
As a change from mayonnaise-laden slaw, I created this refreshing alternative. It uses many of the garden vegetables I grow, so it's also economical. I serve it at our family reunion each Fourth of July, and it's always a big hit at get-togethers. —Sharon Payne, Mayfield, Kentucky
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Baked Spaghetti
This cheesy crowd-pleasing dish puts a different spin on spaghetti. The leftovers, if there are any, freeze well for a quick future meal. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio
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Lemon Rice Salad
This salad makes a refreshing side dish for a special occasion meal. I take it to holiday potluck suppers and other family gatherings. People enjoy the combination of flavors, and I like that it can be made ahead. —Margery Richmond, Lacombe, Alberta
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Cucumber Fruit Salsa
Our garden always gives us way more cucumbers and tomatoes than we know what to do with. But we’ve learned how to handle the unexpected with a surprise of our own. This is our pretty, fresh way to use up the bounty. —Anna Davis, Springfield, Missouri
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Potluck Pan Rolls
The appealing homemade yeast-bread flavor of these golden rolls is unbeatable. Soft and light, they're great alongside any entree. Folks are disappointed if I don't bring them to potluck dinners. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
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Brownie Trifle
Peanut butter brownie trifle is a tower of bite-sized, peanut butter chip-studded brownies and creamy peanut butter mousse. The dish is crowned with whipped topping and an exuberant garnish of chopped peanut butter cups. Best of all, it's easy and fast and makes a showstopper of a dessert.
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Potluck Spareribs
When I want to bring home an empty pan from a potluck, I turn to this recipe. The ribs disappear in minutes! —Sheri Kirkman, Lancaster, New York
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Creamy Macaroni Salad
This creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic cold noodle dish with oodles of crowd appeal. It features tender macaroni and crisp, colorful veggies tossed with an ultra-creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.
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Ham and Swiss Casserole
When I prepare this noodle casserole for church gatherings, it's always a hit. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. —Doris Barb, El Dorado, Kansas
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Peanut Butter Cake
This potluck-perfect peanut butter cake takes less than an hour to bake and is practically guaranteed to be a hit!
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Salami Roll-Ups
These bite-size appetizers are a cinch to make with just four ingredients—even your kids can help you with them! —Jean Baffuto, Apache Junction, Arizona
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Tzatziki Potato Salad
My son has an egg allergy, so this potato salad is perfect for him. For extra color, add radish, apple and garlic dill pickles. —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
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Grape Salad
This grape salad has it all: juicy grapes, creamy dressing, crunchy pecans and a sweet brown sugar topping. It’s kid-friendly and perfect for potlucks.
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Mini Cheesecake
This mini cheesecake recipe makes nine individual servings of creamy cheesecake, each with a crunchy graham cracker crust and a swirl of fruity jam on top.
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Deviled Eggs
Once you know how to make deviled eggs, you will wonder why you have not been making them for every potluck and backyard barbecue. They are so easy!
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Ramen Coleslaw
This super-easy, veggie-packed ramen coleslaw is a special side dish for barbecues, potlucks or any quick meal.
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Potluck Macaroni and Cheese
You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts
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Pistachio Salad
Fluffy, creamy, sweet pistachio salad isn't exactly what you expect from a salad—but it is delicious. Here's how (and when) to make this vintage side dish.Originally Published: August 07, 2019
