Home Potluck
Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022
Feed a crowd and get rave reviews with these most shared potluck recipes. Discover classics—like Swedish meatballs—and a few new favorites to share at your next potluck.
Cherry Bars
Go to Recipe
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Favorite Baked Spaghetti
Go to Recipe
This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Meatballs in Plum Sauce
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
I’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! Use your own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Go to Recipe
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
Savory Beef Sandwiches
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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 Tossed Salad
Go to Recipe
A friend of mine shared this recipe with me after I raved about the delightful salad at dinner. I have served it for years now, and no matter where i take it, I have to bring along copies of the recipe to hand out.-Marlene ClarkApple Valley, California
Party Shrimp
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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 Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Go to Recipe
My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats
Go to Recipe
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
Shortbread Lemon Tart
Go to Recipe
For a change from ordinary lemon bars, we added grated orange zest to both the crust and filling to turn the recipe into a lemon tart. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chili Mac Casserole
Go to Recipe
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
Balsamic Green Bean Salad
Go to Recipe
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Cuban Sliders
Go to Recipe
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King's Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
Simple Lime Gelatin Salad
Go to Recipe
Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Go to Recipe
Dive fork-first into oodles of noodles baked to bubbly perfection and coated with a to-die-for sharp cheddar cheese sauce in this cavatappi, a grown-up version of mac and cheese. Hot sauce lends mild heat that’s delectable with the smoky topping. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida
Juicy Watermelon Salad
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Vibrant Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Go to Recipe
My black-eyed pea salad reminds me of a Southern cooking class my husband and I took while visiting Savannah, Georgia. People go nuts for it at picnics and potlucks. —Danielle Lee, Charleston, South Carolina
Swedish Meatballs
Go to Recipe
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
German Red Cabbage
Go to Recipe
Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee
Ring of Piggies
Go to Recipe
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
Slow-Cooker Ratatouille
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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 Slider Bake
Go to Recipe
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
Pumpkin Charlotte
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
I made this tasty sausage and crescent roll breakfast casserole for a baby shower. It saved the day: Preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas
Crunchy Ramen Salad
Go to Recipe
For potlucks and picnics, this ramen noodle salad is a knockout. I tote the veggies in a bowl, dressing in a jar and noodles in a bag. Then I just shake them all together when it's time to eat. —LJ Porter, Bauxite, Arkansas
Crunchy Broccoli Salad
Go to Recipe
Growing up, I never liked broccoli, but I'm hooked on this salad's light, sweet taste. It gives broccoli a whole new look and personality. —Jessica Conrey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Pepperoni Pizza Loaf
Go to Recipe
This savory stromboli starts with frozen bread dough, so it comes together in practically no time. The golden loaf is stuffed with cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers and olives. I often add a few slices of ham too. It's tasty served with warm pizza sauce for dipping. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
Caramel Nut Tart
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Go to Recipe
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
Homemade Potato Salad
Go to Recipe
This homemade potato salad recipe doesn't have many ingredients, so it isn't as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that's the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn't one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York
White Texas Sheet Cake
Go to Recipe
This cake gets better the longer it sits, so I try to make it a day ahead. My mother-in-law introduced this deliciously rich sheet cake to me. With its creamy frosting and light almond flavor, no one can stop at just one piece! —Joanie Ward, Brownsburg, Indiana
Originally Published: February 15, 2018
Lisa Kaminski
Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.