Our Most-Shared Potluck Recipes

Cherry Pie Bars

Easy to make, easy to transport and easy to love, these indulgent cherry pie bars are the perfect treat, no matter your baking skill level.

Baked Spaghetti

This baked spaghetti is one of our top-rated pasta recipes ever (and we have lots of pasta recipes). It may be the rich trio of cheeses or the bubbling brown top, but we suspect the real reason is that it's just so easy to make.

Meatballs in Plum Sauce

A tasty sauce made of plum jam and chili sauce coats these moist meatballs beautifully. Make sure these delightful appetizers are on your holiday menus. —Mary Poninski, Whittington, Illinois

Company Fruit Salad

We first tried a cream cheese fruit salad like this at a local deli. Since I couldn't get that recipe, I started mixing up different dressings until I hit on this one. Now I make this refreshing delightful salad for every picnic and get-to-gether. It can be a snack, side dish or dessert. —Connie Osterhout, Napoleon, Ohio

Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast

This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Upside-down cakes always bring a little wow factor to baking, but this rhubarb upside-down cake brings some surprises too. It’s juicy, tart, sweet and a world away from everything you probably expect from rhubarb. 

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole is melty, cheesy comfort in a pan. Made with rotisserie chicken and store-bought sauce, it's a weeknight dinner that you can pull together quickly without a lot of heavy lifting.

Savory Beef Sandwiches

Before heading to work in the morning, I'll get this going in the slow cooker. Then it's all ready to serve—usually with hard rolls and potato salad or another salad—as soon as my husband and I walk in. When my son moved to another state recently, I cut up a beef roast into smaller portions, repackaged it and sent seasonings for a two-person slow cooker as his housewarming present. —Lynn Williamson, Hayward, Wisconsin

Hearty Maple Beans

I modified this recipe to suit my family's taste. It's a great side dish for a backyard barbecue with hamburgers and hot dogs. It can be made in advance and kept warm in a slow cooked for hours without losing any flavor. —Margaret Glassic, Easton, Pennsylvania

Raspberry Custard Kuchen

Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It's no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, Washington

Apple Feta Salad

So long, sad desk salad! This apple feta salad is your answer to tastier lunches on-the-go, and it works equally well as a fresh, crispy side dish with a savory protein at dinner.

Party Shrimp

The marinade for this dish makes the shrimp so flavorful, you won't even need a dipping sauce. Even those who claim they don’t like shellfish really dig this appetizer. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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

Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad

Sweet, tangy and bursting with the fresh flavors of summer, this easy strawberry poppy seed salad is a gorgeous, versatile side dish to serve the second warm weather arrives.

Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats

Sauerkraut gives these beer-simmered brats a big flavor boost, but it’s the special chili sauce and melted cheese that put them over the top. Top your favorite burger with some of the chili sauce; you won't be sorry. —Alana Simmons, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Lemon Tart

This sunshiny lemon tart recipe will make everyone smile. It is a simple treat with intense citrus flavors, and it can be easily decorated for elegant events.

Chili Mac Casserole

This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota

Green Bean Salad

This cold green bean salad makes the perfect side dish, starring green beans, a simple vinaigrette and feta cheese.

Cuban Sliders

These Cuban sliders are packed with ham, cheese and pickles and baked with a buttery, Dijon mustard topping.

Lime Gelatin Salad

Jiggly retro desserts are back! Bust out your vintage molds for our creamy, citrusy lime gelatin salad recipe.

Cavatappi Mac and Cheese

With a crunchy, buttery, bacon-spiked bread crumb topping, this corkscrew cavatappi mac and cheese is a grown-up version of the classic comfort food that kids will love too.

Juicy Watermelon Salad

This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Holiday breakfasts would not be the same at our house without this delicious coffee cake. Whenever I take it anywhere, everyone raves about it and wants the recipe. —Susan Walschlager, Anderson, Indiana

Blackberry-Orange Cake

My grandmother made luscious fruit pies and cobblers using blackberries from her garden. I decided to follow her lead and create a blackberry cake that's always lovely with a summer meal. —Lisa M. Varner, El Paso, Texas

Ham & Cheese Potato Casserole

This recipe makes two cheesy, delicious casseroles. Have one tonight and put the other on ice for a future busy weeknight. It's like having money in the bank when things get hectic! —Kari Adams, Fort Collins, Colorado

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.

Shrimp Pasta Salad

I adore shrimp, so discovering it in this pasta salad recipe was a real treat for me. The lemon-dill sauce is light and bright. It's one of our favorite cold pasta salad recipes! —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania

Bacon Water Chestnut Wraps

The holidays around the house just wouldn't be the same without these classic wraps. Through the years, Christmas Eve guests have proven it's impossible to eat just one. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland

Tex-Mex Summer Squash Casserole

Mild-flavored yellow squash gets a big boost from flavor-packed chiles, jalapenos and red onion. This side dish also works with zucchini. —Tommy Lombardo, Euclid, Ohio

Merry Berry Salad

Dried cranberries, crunchy apple chunks and toasted almonds dress up this crisp green salad. It's drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing that's a snap to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cherry Almond Mousse Pie

Treat your loved ones to a luscious pie with chocolate, cherries and nuts in a creamy vanilla mousse. It's a sweet yet refreshing dessert. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Black Eyed Pea Salad

This eye-catching black eyed pea salad is packed with nutrient-dense ingredients for a healthy dish that's ready for weeknights or picnics.

Swedish Meatballs

Whip up a batch of these easy Swedish meatballs for a meal that's all comfort and no fuss!

German Red Cabbage

This inexpensive red cabbage recipe makes a tender, tasty vegetable side dish. It's traditionally German, but it pairs well with all kinds of foods, in every season.

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Is there anything more charming than this pigs in a blanket wreath? Garnished with rosemary sprigs and a crescent dough bow, this buttery, sausage-filled wreath is a perfectly festive appetizer for the holidays.

Slow-Cooker Ratatouille

Not only does this classic recipe make a phenomenal side dish, you can also serve it with sliced French bread for a warm and easy appetizer. Try it in the summer with your garden-fresh vegetables. —Jolene Walters, North Miami, Florida

Mexican Layered Salad

Here’s another popular dish I like to prepare in advance, adding the cheese and chips just before serving. It’s a slightly different version of the traditional layered salad.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Dive into this comfort food staple: bacon cheeseburger sliders are bursting with flavor, thanks to gooey, melty cheese, loaded burger, and crispy, savory bacon. They're a mini version of your favorite bacon cheeseburger, but better.

Pumpkin Charlotte

My mother-in-law gave me this recipe a while back and I just love it! I make it for my husband and his friends during hunting season and it's a big hit. —Lorelle Edgcomb, Granville, Illinois

Potluck German Apple Cake

My mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole

This crescent roll breakfast casserole is the perfect dish to make your mornings easier and more delicious. Whether for a weekend brunch or a special occasion, this recipe will delight everyone at the table.

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.

Broccoli Cranberry Salad

Elevate your side dish salad game with this recipe for broccoli cranberry salad. The combination of fresh broccoli florets, sweet chewy cranberries and tangy vinaigrette is a sure winner.

Pepperoni Bread

Our contest-winning pepperoni bread recipe begins with frozen bread dough, so there's no need to make your own dough. Simply thaw it, roll it out and stuff it with cheese, pepperoni and other savory delights like olives, mushrooms and pickled peppers.

Caramel Nut Tart

My mom loves caramel, nuts and cream cheese, so when I found this tart recipe I knew I had to try it. Now the dessert is a family favorite and it is served at every get-together. —Donna Urban, Glenolden, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida

Roasted Green Vegetable Medley

Roasting vegetables such as broccoli, green beans and Brussels sprouts is a fantastic way to serve them, and almost any veggie combo works. — Suzan Crouch, Grand Prairie, Texas

Apple Slab Pie

Apple slab pie is a terrific contribution to a covered-dish supper, picnic or potluck. It’s baked in a large 15x10 baking pan so it’s easy to make and tote, too. But be prepared—people always ask for a copy of the recipe! —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania

Potato Salad

Everyone needs a reliable potato salad recipe in their repertoire, and this one is classic in its simplicity. It's quick and versatile, and it will go with just about anything.

White Texas Sheet Cake

This classic white Texas sheet cake is delicious, and surprisingly quick and easy to make. You won't even need to wait for the cake to cool completely before icing it!