48 Holiday Potluck Ideas to Get Your Party Going

Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

I’m always looking for easy holiday potluck ideas, especially potluck sides. This mashed potato casserole is always a hit—especially because it’s topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois

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Best Dinner Rolls

These are the best dinner rolls around. I particularly love how easy they are to shape. Form them into a wreath for the holidays! —Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Using packaged meatballs helps save time in the kitchen and they are just as tasty as homemade. My friends look forward to enjoying these meatballs at our holiday gatherings and there are no leftovers! The sauce is tangy yet sweet, and the festive color is perfect for any party. —Amy Scamerhorn, Indianapolis, Indiana

Holiday Salsa

When we offer this cream-cheesy salsa of fresh cranberries, cilantro and a little jalapeno kick, everyone hovers around the serving dish until it’s scraped clean. It’s one of those holiday potluck ideas that I revisit every year—especially for the office potluck! —Shelly Pattison, Lubbock, Texas

Slow-Cooker Beef Tenderloin

I created this slow-cooker beef tenderloin recipe when I was having guests over. It tastes incredible with little effort. —Amanda Wentz, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Festive Guacamole Appetizers

For ages, my brother’s family and I have gotten together on Christmas Eve, and we always eat Christmas snacks while we open our presents. This Tex-Mex spin on classic appetizer pizza is one we have again and again. —Laurie Pester, Colstrip, Montana

Cranberry Fluff Salad

It wasn’t the holidays without my grandmother’s cool and tangy cranberry fluff. With only four ingredients, it’s a cinch to make. Now my siblings and I carry on her tradition. It’s also a great potluck dish! —Leah Nicholes, San Diego, California

Fennel Salad with Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette

A sweet balsamic vinaigrette always pulls everything together in a delicious harmony of flavors. This is one of my favorite holiday side dishes for a crowd. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine

Creamy Artichoke Dip

My sister Teresa got this recipe from a friend and she passed it along. It's loaded with cheese, artichokes and just the right amount of jalapenos for a crowd-pleasing flavor. —Mary Spencer, Greendale, Wisconsin

Ham & Brie Pastries

Growing up, I loved pocket pastries. Now, with a busy family, I need quick bites. My spin on the classic ham and cheese delivers as a snack or for supper. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

This quick, easy recipe really showcases pears. When I have leftover cooked chicken, I often add it to the recipe to make a main dish salad. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

Dutch Apple Pie Tartlets

These adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they're surprisingly easy to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York

Spinach Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms

I use a melon baller to hollow out the mushroom caps and make them easier to stuff. The apps fit neatly into muffin tins or a deviled egg tray for traveling. —Ashley Pierce, Brantford, Ontario

Creamy Cranberry Dip

You can use a variety of salty crackers to scoop up helpings of this slightly sweet cranberry dip. The recipe yields a lot, so it’s great for large gatherings. This is also a great holiday make-ahead recipe!—Joy McQuaid, Darlington, Wisconsin

Bubbly Champagne Punch

Don’t forget to bring drinks to a potluck! This champagne punch is elegant and tasty. A budget sparkling wine works great in this recipe. —Anita Geoghagan, Woodstock, Georgia

Rosemary Veal Meatballs

These savory appetizer meatballs, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, get a touch of sweetness from chopped golden raisins. They will be a hit at your next gathering. —Rhonda Maiani, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Ring of Piggies

This charming plate of piggies looks like a holiday wreath when I drape fresh rosemary in the center. It’s a cute display for merry get-togethers. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Sauteed Tarragon Radishes

Who says radishes only belong in salads? These sauteed radishes are cooked in wine and tarragon, and may just change the way you look at radishes forever. They can be served on their own, or added to your favorite au gratin recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Antipasto Platter

We entertain often, and an antipasto platter is one of our favorite crowd-pleasers. Guests love having their choice of so many delicious nibbles, including pepperoni and cubes of provolone. —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, Illinois

White Chicken Enchiladas

I adapted the recipe for these rich and creamy white chicken enchiladas from a cooking class I had a while back. —Janice Montiverdi, Sugar Land, Texas

Minted Chocolate Torte

Our family has enjoyed this remarkable layered cake for years. It's a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, too, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they're much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina

Spicy Crab Dip

With cayenne pepper and hot sauce (both optional), this delicious dip doubles up on the heat. Chock-full of crabmeat, this appetizer feels special, yet it only takes minutes to prepare. —Carol Forcum, Marion, Illinois

Cranberry Banana Coffee Cake

I make this moist cake for Christmas morning every year. It tastes like banana bread but has a sweet golden topping with a nutty crunch. —Gloria Friesen, Casper, Wyoming

Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

After having a salad like this at a restaurant years ago, I came up with this recipe. It is especially good when the spinach comes right from the garden to the table.

Cranberry Christmas Cake

The ruby cranberries in this recipe stay bright and beautiful, and their tartness is irresistible. I’ve made this cranberry Christmas cake many times to share. —Marilyn Paradis, Woodburn, Oregon

Grandma's Cornbread Dressing

Growing up, we didn’t have turkey. We had chicken, chopped and baked in my grandmother’s dressing. Now we leave out the chicken and keep the cornbread dressing. —Suzanne Mohme, Bastrop, Texas

Ketchup Shrimp

With its delightfully sweet-tangy flavor, this ketchup shrimp recipe is destined to become a favorite! My husband and I adapted it from a recipe in a magazine, and we just love it. —Kathleen Davis, North Bend, Washington

Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer

Conveniently, a pitcher of this non-alcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sweet Candied Carrots

These tender, vibrant candied carrots have a buttery glaze and a mild sweetness. This is a simple dish, but it sure makes carrots seem special. —P. Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York

Shrimp Cocktail

During the ’60s, shrimp cocktail was one of the most popular party foods around. And it is still a crowd favorite. It’s the one appetizer that I serve for every special occasion as well as for munchie meals. —Peggy Allen, Pasadena, California

Cranberry Sauce with Maple Syrup

This cranberry sauce with maple syrup recipe is simple, quick and a family favorite. It’s delicious as a garnish for turkey or other meat entrees. I’ll often make a double batch so we have extra to spread on toast or even use as a topping on desserts. —Rebecca Israel, Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Black-Eyed Peas with Ham

Here's a regional favorite I grew to love after moving to the South. Serve the dish as a side with grilled chicken, or make it your main course and round out the meal with greens and cornbread. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, North Carolina

Crab-Stuffed Manicotti

I love pasta, and my husband loves seafood. I combined them to create this dish, and he raved that it’s the best meal ever. —Sonya Polfliet, Anza, California

Maple & Bacon Glazed Brussels Sprouts

For special meals, here’s a fantastic side dish that even children will love. The sweet maple syrup and smoky bacon complement the Brussels sprouts perfectly. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Million-Dollar Pound Cake

We’ve always included pound cake on our family menus. Through the years I’ve tried many recipes, and I can honestly say this million-dollar pound cake is the best! It has a very fine, rich texture that makes it unusually smooth. That texture, plus fantastic flavor, makes this pound cake a special treat each time we serve it. —George Dunn, Jasper, Texas

Brandy Eggnog

Store-bought versions just can’t compete with my homemade brandy eggnog. Apricot brandy is my secret ingredient!—Shelia Weimer, Bluefield, West Virginia

Traditional Lasagna

My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

Cran-Raspberry Gelatin Salad

Just like Grandma’s, this pretty gelatin salad has full berry flavor without being too tart. It’s perfect for any holiday dinner. —Rosemary Burch, Phoenix, Arizona

Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake

I’ve taken this hot dish to potlucks and it’s received rave reviews. There’s never a morsel left. Best of all, it’s a simple, healthy and hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Favorite Marinated Mushrooms

This is a nice way to serve mushrooms as an appetizer, and it also makes a great side dish for any type of meat. Sometimes I add these marinated mushrooms to salads for extra flavor, too. —Brenda Snyder, Hesston, Pennsylvania

Southern Mac and Cheese

No down-home meal is complete without Southern mac and cheese. Three types of cheese and a squirt of mustard make this comforting dish sing! —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina

Grandma’s Yeast Rolls

My grandmother use to make these rolls for family get-togethers and holidays. The applesauce adds so much flavor. —Nancy Spoth, Festus, Missouri

Holiday Ribbon Gelatin

Layers of red and green make this festive salad a favorite during the Christmas season. Kids are sure to find it fun to eat, and adults will enjoy the combination of sweet-tart flavors.
—Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska

Lemon Herbed Salmon

We sometimes send our delicious Washington salmon all the way to Michigan for my sister to use in this family-favorite dish! The tasty topping can be used on other types of fish, too. Fresh thyme from your garden really sparks the flavor.
—Perlene Hoekema
Lynden, Washington

Lemon Artichoke Romaine Salad

Salads often get left off the Christmas table. That’s why this holiday potluck idea is always my go-to. It’s a refreshing addition to any table. —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

Slow-Cooked Sausage Dressing

When it comes to holiday potluck ideas, I like slow cooker sides like this stuffing. This savory dressing gets amped up with apples and pecans. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma