The years I’ve spent cooking for potlucks have taught me one thing: it doesn’t need to be an extravagant dish. It needs to be plentiful. It has to endure a car ride, a folding table, and that one person who just wants a tiny scoop (and ends up with a shovel full). These recipes are meant for the quintessential church-basement ecosystem: large trays, simple serving, and tastes that encourage people to go back for seconds, but do so discreetly. While looking for the right lids, I can only keep my chill by making some of these dishes ahead of time.
Contents
- 1) Classic Baked Ziti
- 2) Baked Mac And Cheese
- 3) BBQ Pulled Pork
- 7) Broccoli Rice Casserole
- 8) Green Bean Casserole
- 9) Baked Beans
- 10) Chili That Everyone Will Love
- 13) Creamy Coleslaw
- 15) Slider Sandwich Tray
- 21) Baked Ham
- 24) Caesar Salad
- 25) Taco Salad Bar
- 26) Chicken Alfredo Bake
- 29) Baked Spaghetti
- 30) Enchilada Casserole
- 33) Dinner Rolls
1) Classic Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a great option for food at potlucks as it is filling and delicious!
For my recipe, I like to make two deep pans so everyone gets more of the crispy edges, and no one has to dig in to find the best parts. I suggest a layered mixture of ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella because it is so tasty! It will also hold heat great, and the leftovers re-heat well to avoid strange leftovers.
2) Baked Mac And Cheese
This is the mac and cheese that people remember, the mac and cheese with a proper baked top and a slightly dramatic cheese pull. When I’m making food for a lot of people, I prefer a custardy base (Southern style would be eggs + evaporated milk). That way, it can set up and be sliced neatly. Fair enough, I once saw someone cut out a perfect square like it was a birthday cake. If you are concerned about it drying out, you can cover it with foil for the majority of the baking time, and then take it off to let it brown.
3) BBQ Pulled Pork
4) Baked Chicken Drumsticks
5) Party Meatballs
6) Deviled Eggs
It may be a little annoying and somewhat flattering if you spent the whole morning peeling eggs, but it seems like the deviled eggs get taken first.
Expect around 20 for the initial estimate; people usually take two, then “one more for the road.” To ensure the filling doesn’t taste flat, add a touch of mustard, mayo, and some tang (pickle relish, or a dash of vinegar). Just make sure to carry them in a strong enough container, as one sudden stop and your eggs could become a work of art.
7) Broccoli Rice Casserole
The casserole adds a splash of color to the beige table (don’t worry, beige). It is broccoli, cheese, and rice, which can be easily stretched into two large pans. I enjoy adding sautéed onions for extra depth. No one at the potluck will know what they are, but I am sure they will go for seconds. People enjoy that it remains scoopable as it cools, and that actually matters more than they think.
8) Green Bean Casserole
9) Baked Beans
Sweet, smoky baked beans go with anything grilled, pulled or hearty. The sweet stickiness from brown sugar and the rich savoriness of bacon complements ham and barbecue dishes at potlucks. I accidentally made them too sweet once, and I learned my lesson: always taste before you commit. You can keep them warm in a slow cooker if you want. They will act wonderfully for hours.
10) Chili That Everyone Will Love
11) Cornbread
12) Classic Potato Salad
Potato salad is often considered a bland dish, but it doesn’t have to be. Mustard and chopped pickles along with some celery give the salad that classic crunchy picnic snap instead of just tasting like wet potatoes. For best results, prepare the salad the night before, as this will allow the flavors to blend together, rather than fighting against each other. Keep the salad covered and cold, as potluck areas can become hot when people start serving coffee.
13) Creamy Coleslaw
14) Italian Pasta Salad
The great thing about pasta salad is that it is simple to prepare and simple to take with you. Also, it’s always the first dish to go! Use durable pasta like rotini, and include lots of crunchy vegetables. The pasta will absorb it, so don’t be shy when it comes to the dressing. If you’d like to change it into a more filling meal, adding salami or mozzarella is always a good addition. I’ve made this the night before a potluck (literally at midnight), and it was still good the next day, which is a pretty big accomplishment considering my history with midnight cooking.
15) Slider Sandwich Tray
17) Cocktail Sausages
19) Vegetable Soup
20) Cheesy Potato Casserole
I know it’s a long name, but this is pure comfort food to the max. It doesn’t get better than that. Creamy and cheesy potatoes with a crunchy topping. It is a staple at gatherings because it is simple to prepare in larger quantities and accommodates just about everyone. All you need is frozen hashbrowns, sour cream, and cheese, and you can also put crushed cornflakes or buttered crumbs on the top. I’ve witnessed a pan of this get scraped so clean that you could have served a dessert in it.
21) Baked Ham
Want to make an entrance as you walk in? Bring a ham.
All you have to do is slice it and let them serve themselves. There will be enough ham left over because it will feed 20. The glaze is sweet, just like the ham. There’s a honey/brown sugar glaze that adds an extra sweetness to the edges! I would also suggest you bring your own carving knife, as the “community knives” may be a little questionable.
Roast Turkey Breast
If you want something lighter than ham while still keeping it classic, turkey breast would be a great choice. Just roast it with lots of salt and herbs, then make a broth or drippings gravy. It is different when served warm, but even at room temperature, it is still good for a buffet. Those who were wishing for \\”Thanksgiving flavors\\” without all the fuss will appreciate you.
23) Stuffing
Having stuffing at a potluck shows bravery, because with one spoonful, you are serving up comfort and tradition. Grab the confidence to do it in a large pan, so you have some top crispy and lots of middle soft. Both sides have an equal right to representation. The foundation should include sage and onion, and a quality broth is essential. One time I forgot the salt and I tried to fix it at the table. Trust me, don’t try to do live season in front of an audience.
24) Caesar Salad
I mean this in the best way possible, but a big green salad really does feel like a public service at a potluck.
To keep the romaine crisp and lively, dress the salad just before serving. Croutons and shaved Parmesan give it enough substance to stand shoulder to shoulder with casseroles. It is also nice to have an option other than mac and cheese (which is, let’s be honest, pretty much everyone).
25) Taco Salad Bar
The taco salad bar is a potluck-friendly option and is calm and participatory. Keep the hot beef warm in a slow cooker, and set out lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beans, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips. It can be made in different levels of spiciness and no one is locked into one “true casserole.” Miracle of miracles, I have seen children eat lettuce in this form.
26) Chicken Alfredo Bake
roast chicken works great), and toss with pasta and a creamy sauce. Add some broccoli if you want to convince yourself that you have a balanced meal. Bake until bubbly and lightly browned. If you are feeding 20 people, this one goes quickly, especially with teenagers around.
27) King Ranch Chicken
King Ranch chicken is everything I want in a potluck casserole. It is warm, inviting, and a bit rowdy in flavor. Imagine the layers of chicken, tortillas, cheese, peppers, and a creamy, dreamy sauce baked so the edges are perfectly crispy. It isn’t delicate, nor does it attempt to be. The serving spoon should be able to handle a hearty scoop; this is not a \u201cdainty spatula\u201d job.
Shepherd’s Pie
alt text image 34 No-Panic Church Potluck Recipes That Actually Feed 20 (and Travel Well)
Even though traditional shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, the US version of shepherd’s pie is made with beef. Shepherd’s pie is the food you can slice and eat for comfort. The key is to make the filling thick enough so that it doesn’t spread everywhere when served. Peas and carrots bring a splash of color, and fluffy forked mashed potato toppings turn golden. It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel both competent and lucky.
29) Baked Spaghetti
Baked spaghetti is slightly old-fashioned, and I mean that in the best way possible. You mix the spaghetti with the sauce and cheese, bake it until it’s set and then you cut it into square like a casserole. This is perfect for potlucks. Expensive ingredients aren’t needed and it can serve up to 20 people. It definitely gives the impression that a lot of work was done, and that’s a nice little trick to have.
30) Enchilada Casserole
32) Corn Casserole
Corn casserole is a kind, more sophisticated way to describe cornbread.
It has a light sweetness and a pleasantly smooth texture. It can be prepared in bulk and goes well with several types of dishes like ham and chili. The texture may sound weird combining bread and pudding, but I think when you try it you will agree. I once brought it as a side dish, and I was surprised it became the most requested.
