10+ Potluck Recipes for Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Dishes

Potluck recipes just make sense when you want to gather folks and share something tasty. Whether you’re heading to a party, family get-together, or a community shindig, it’s always better with a table full of different dishes.

Potluck recipes help you whip up easy, flavorful dishes that everyone can dig into.

You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to wow your friends or family. Most of these recipes use basic ingredients and simple steps, so you’ll save time (and maybe a little stress).

With a bit of planning, you can bring something delicious that fits nearly any taste or diet.

1) 5-Ingredient Tomato Salad

This 5-ingredient tomato salad feels made for potlucks. It’s fresh, simple, and honestly comes together in just minutes.

Show off those ripe tomatoes by pairing them with a handful of other ingredients for big flavor.

Just toss together tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Salt and pepper? Always.

No need to cook a thing—just mix and go. It’s quick, mess-free, and works as a side or on its own.

Ingredients

• 4 large ripe tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice or chop the tomatoes.
2. Mix garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil in a bowl.
3. Add tomatoes and toss gently to coat.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Chill for 10 minutes before serving, if you’re feeling fancy.

Try this easy recipe from Kara Lydon’s 5 Ingredient Tomato Salad.

2) Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad

Napa cabbage picnic salad brings crunch and color to the table. You get napa cabbage, snow peas, and radishes for fresh texture.

A light, sweet sesame ginger mayo dressing ties it all together without weighing it down.

Toasted slivered almonds—or even ramen noodles if you’re feeling wild—add extra crunch. It’s easy to make a huge batch, so it’s perfect for sharing.

The bright veggies and those nuts just make it pop, especially on a warm day.

Ingredients:

• 1 head Napa cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup snow peas, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes
• 2/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp grated ginger

Cooking Instructions:

1. Shred the cabbage and toss into a big bowl.
2. Add the snow peas and radishes.
3. Toast almonds in a dry pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Let them cool.
4. Whisk together mayo, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, and ginger.
5. Pour the dressing over veggies and toss well.
6. Top with toasted almonds and serve chilled.

More details at Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad.

3) Sticky Toffee Pudding (Gluten and Dairy Free)

Sticky toffee pudding is the kind of dessert that just feels right at a potluck. You get a soft sponge made from dates soaked in boiling water, so it’s naturally sweet.

The toffee sauce is rich but totally dairy free, so everyone can have a bite. Use dairy-free margarine and plant-based milk to keep it allergy-friendly.

Serve it warm for the best experience. It’s a classic treat, but you don’t have to worry about gluten or dairy.

Ingredients:

• 175g dates, chopped
• 300ml boiling water
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 85g dairy-free margarine
• 160g gluten-free self-raising flour
• 150g brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 150ml almond or other plant milk

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Soak dates in boiling water and stir in bicarb.
3. Cream margarine and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour and soaked dates.
5. Pour into a greased baking dish.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until set.
7. Make the sauce by melting margarine, brown sugar, and plant milk together.
8. Pour sauce over pudding and serve warm.

For a gluten and dairy free version, check out this sticky toffee pudding here.

4) Homemade Meatballs

Homemade meatballs always go fast at potlucks. Use ground beef, Italian sausage, or both.

Breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, and cheese make them tender and full of flavor.

You can bake them or use a slow cooker—either way, they’re simple. Simmering in grape jelly and chili sauce gives a sweet, tangy kick.

Make them ahead and keep them warm in your slow cooker. That way, they’re ready to serve as soon as guests show up.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grape jelly
• 1 cup chili sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix beef, sausage, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan in a big bowl.
3. Shape into 1-inch balls.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through.
5. Mix grape jelly and chili sauce in a slow cooker.
6. Add meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes until hot.

Check out this grape jelly sauce meatballs recipe here.

5) Louisiana Sausage Jambalaya

Louisiana Sausage Jambalaya brings a smoky, spicy kick to your potluck. There’s sausage, bell peppers, onions, and plenty of Creole seasoning.

It all comes together in one pot—easy cleanup, tons of flavor. The rice soaks up everything, making it super hearty.

You can adjust the spice. Want more heat? Toss in the serrano chile. Not into that? Just leave it out.

Let it simmer so the flavors meld. It’s a warm, filling dish that feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 serrano chile, chopped (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a big pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions, green onions, bell pepper, garlic, and serrano chile. Cook until soft.
3. Stir in sausage and brown it.
4. Add bay leaves, Creole seasoning, rice, and chicken broth. Mix it up.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until rice is done.
6. Fish out the bay leaves before serving.

6) Golden Sweet Cornbread

Golden sweet cornbread is just about as classic as it gets for potlucks. It’s soft and moist inside, a bit sweet, and those crispy edges are the best part.

It pairs with chili, barbecue, or stands alone. You can make it in a round pan or go for muffins—whatever’s easier to share.

Mix the dry stuff, add milk and oil, and bake until golden. Pretty hard to mess up.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. Grease a 9-inch round pan or muffin tin.
3. Mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a big bowl.
4. Add milk, oil, and egg; stir until just combined.
5. Pour batter into the pan or muffin cups.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

7) Homemade Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is always a hit at potlucks. It’s creamy, cheesy, and super easy to share.

Try mixing up the cheeses if you want to get fancy. Baked mac and cheese gets that golden crust on top—hard to resist.

You can keep it classic or add extras like bacon or breadcrumbs. This version uses a cheddar cheese sauce and elbow macaroni, perfect for a crowd.

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook macaroni, then drain.
3. Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
4. Stir in flour and cook for about a minute.
5. Slowly add milk, whisking until thick.
6. Take it off the heat and stir in cheese, salt, and pepper.
7. Mix cheese sauce with macaroni.
8. Pour into a baking dish and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top if you want.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Need more ideas? Try this Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.

8) Potluck Taco Casserole

Potluck Taco Casserole is one of those dishes that’s just easy to throw together and always disappears fast at gatherings. It’s got ground beef, beans, cheese, and a good crunch from tortilla chips.

You can prep it ahead of time and just bake when you’re ready. That’s a lifesaver if you’re juggling a bunch of dishes.

I like that it brings all the taco flavors together in a warm, cheesy bite. You can swap in your favorite toppings or spices if you’re feeling creative.

Start by cooking the beef and draining off the fat. Then, layer everything—beans, cheese, and chips—in a baking dish.

Bake it until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It smells incredible coming out of the oven.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can refried beans
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 bag tortilla chips, crushed
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook ground beef with taco seasoning until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain fat.
3. Spread refried beans in a casserole dish.
4. Add the cooked beef evenly over the beans.
5. Pour salsa on top, then layer both cheeses.
6. Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips over everything.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the casserole bubbles.
8. Serve hot, with sour cream on the side.

If you want to see another take, check this Potluck Taco Casserole recipe.

9) Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip just works at any potluck. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packs a bit of heat.

Serve it warm with chips, crackers, or even veggies—whatever you’ve got on hand. It’s flexible like that.

To make it, mix shredded chicken with cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce. Toss in some shredded cheese for extra gooeyness.

You can bake it or use a slow cooker if you want to keep things hands-off. Either way, it’s simple.

It tastes like buffalo wings but without the mess. I mean, who really wants to deal with bones at a party?

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• ¼ cup hot sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) can or equivalent shredded cooked chicken, drained
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce until smooth.
3. Stir in the shredded chicken and half the cheese.
4. Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
5. Top with the rest of the cheese.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until it’s bubbly and hot.
7. Serve warm with whatever dippers you like.

If you want a classic version, here’s one from Food.com.

10) Deviled Eggs with Horseradish Mayo

Deviled eggs are a potluck staple, but horseradish mayo gives them a little twist. The recipe’s quick, so it’s perfect when you’re short on time.

Start by hard boiling your eggs. Mix the yolks with mayo and prepared horseradish.

The horseradish brings a spicy tang that really wakes up the flavor. If you’re into dill or mustard, toss some in for more punch.

Spoon or pipe the filling back into the whites. They look pretty and taste even better—trust me.

Ingredients

• 12 eggs
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill (optional)
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put the eggs in a pot. Cover them with cold water.

2. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. Lower the heat and let the eggs simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Move the eggs into ice water to cool them off. Once they’re cool, peel the shells.

4. Slice each egg in half. Take out the yolks.

5. Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, horseradish, dill, mustard, salt, and pepper.

6. Fill the egg whites with the yolk mixture. Use a spoon or a piping bag—whatever feels right.

7. Chill the filled eggs before serving.