34 No-Panic Church Potluck Recipes That Actually Feed 20 (and Travel Well)

Having participated in many potlucks, I would like to say that the level of fancy your dish is does not matter. What does matter is the ability of the dish to survive car rides, folding tables, and that one person who ‘just wants a tiny scoop’ (and somehow takes half the dish).

These recipes are designed with the expected tolerances of a church basement potluck in mind. They include large batch recipes that are easy to serve and use the right amount of decent seasoning to keep the maximum number of people coming back for seconds. They can almost all be made in advance, and while I search for the matching lid, these recipes help maintain the peace.

1) Classic Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is like the friend that shows up to the potluck on time, actually lends a hand and brings extra napkins, and is just super helpful and dependable. When I am feeding twenty people, I enjoy making two deep trays because it means everyone gets a nice crispy edge and they won’t have to hunt for the best pieces!

Use a hearty marinara, plenty of mozzarella, and a ricotta layer if you want to be generous (I usually am). It retains heat well and if there are any leftovers, they can be reheated without any issues.

2) Baked Mac and Cheese

The melted cheese and aesthetically pleasing browned top are memorable for people. I enjoy using a custard base made from evaporated milk and eggs. This is a southern style characteristic and is an excellent way to prepare in advance for large audiences.

It also helps the dish set up so it slices a great deal easier. If you are concerned about it drying out, cover it with foil for most of the baking, and then remove the foil to allow it to brown.

3) BBQ Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a potluck cheat code because the slow cooker does the hard work while you sit back and enjoy! Pork shoulder (or Boston butt) is very forgiving and scales well for 20 hungry guests. I love setting out the buns, pickles, and some crunchy slaw so guests can make their own. Just set the slow cooker to “warm” so the pork stays tender the entire time people are in line.

4) Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Drumsticks are underrated potluck gold. They are very simple to prepare due to their affordability and their small sizing and ease of portability. You want to ensure that the skin roasts nicely and has some good color to it, then you can even it out with some honey mustard or barbecue sauce.

The only moderately stressful thing is having to turn a mountain of drumsticks without sending one to the catapulting oven door (I’ve done it). Please grab some tongs and a big slab of napkins. This is not a dainty fork type of scenario.

5) Party Meatballs

Initially, I was uncertain about this combination, but I witnessed a whole crockpot disappear before the end of the hymn! Having no experience with this, I am not sure what memory the combination of flavors is attempting to evoke, but it is definitely something.

The chili sauce and grape jelly make a sweet and spicy sauce. Use frozen meatballs if you want your sanity intact, or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious. While toothpicks can be helpful, I look forward to seeing some creativity with the plastic forks.

6) Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are always the first to go. Some compliments can feel good but also annoying especially after you’ve spent the entire morning peeling and chopping eggs. If you are making this for 20 people, there is going to be a lot to do! At least two eggs each is the minimum expectation, and rather likely some people will go “one more for the road” as they say.

An additional condiment like mustard, mayo, and something sharp like pickles, relish, or a splash of vinegar will keep the filling from tasting too flat. If you stop quickly, your eggs will be turned into modern art, so transport tightly!

7) Broccoli Rice Casserole

This is the casserole that quietly balances out the table full of beige (bless the beige, but still). A combination of broccoli, cheddar, and rice is a classic. This recipe easily doubles to prepare two large pans.

I like adding sautéed onions for depth, although nobody at the potluck will identify them, they’ll just go back for more.

Surprisingly, it maintains its scoopable consistency once cooled, which is incredibly important.

8) Green Bean Casserole

You might want to take a little different approach here without turning it into a whole thing, adding fresh or frozen green beans with some sort of creamy mushroom base and leaving the crunchy onion topping. I’ve witnessed individuals who “don’t even like green beans” take a second helping. For more crunchy topping coverage and fewer complaints, make your casserole in a larger pan.

9) Baked Beans

Baked beans are a good complement to anything grilled, and are especially good with pulled pork. With bacon and brown sugar, they are even good with ham or barbecue from the potluck. I once went overboard with the sugar, and learned to always taste something before I serve it. They can stay warm in a slow cooker for hours.

10) Crowd-Pleasing Chili

Chili is forgiving and scalable. Recipes that involve large pots are great as they are able to serve ~20 people. I would also recommend cheese, sour cream and diced onion to enhance the overall look and taste.

Also, feel free to use different types of beans to give you some variety, but if you want to use a single type of bean, that is completely fine as you will still get the great flavor that comes from slow cooking. From experience, I recommend bringing a ladle that doesn’t bend or you’ll be chasing chili down the tablecloth all night.

11) Cornbread

I enjoy making cornbread as it pairs nicely with chili and beans. I like to bake them in two large pans so the cornbread can be cut into even squares. If you prefer sweeter cornbread, you can add sugar to the batter or leave it out. Honestly, people can be really opinionated about this. I normally take honey to the cornbread to keep people happy and to avoid arguments.

12) Classic Potato Salad

Potato salad doesn’t have to be boring. Mustard and the addition of pickles and celery add a nice crunch and provide a sweet flavor. This is best prepared the night before so the flavors can combine and mellow. Just be sure to cover and keep it cold, as those potluck rooms do tend to heat up with the coffee.

13) Creamy Coleslaw

Coleslaw is for cutting through rich food. I appreciate dressings that are sufficiently sharp and lively to cause a double take. I have to have it. It’s amazing. It’s really simple to make your own if you enjoy this type of dressing. All you need is mayo and vinegar. It’s divine. Go fully vinegar-based if you like it lighter. My slaw stopped getting watery when I learned to salt the cabbage first and then squeeze it out. I also found that it stays well if you chill it and don’t dress it too much.

14) Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are the best dish for potlucks! They are simple to prepare and can be made in larger quantities. Because of this, they are great for big crowds. For a great pasta salad, try using rotini noodles and some crunchy, bold veggies. Also remember to add plenty of dressing because the pasta absorbs it and can become quite boring.

Some salami or mozzarella cheese will make the dish even more appealing. This is one of the best dishes you can make for a potluck. I made this dish the night before a potluck and it was one of my rare wins in cooking because it was good even the next day.

15) Slider Sandwich Tray

A simple example is to add layers of ham and Swiss cheese in a block of dinner rolls. Pour over a buttery mustardy glaze and bake until shiny and crispy on top. Since they can be separated easily, it helps to keep the potluck line moving. If there is an oven at the venue, I like to bring them slightly underbaked and warm them there. If there is no oven, that’s also fine, as they are okay at room temperature.

16) Egg Casserole

If your potluck is a brunch occasion (or just a group that really enjoys breakfast foods), an egg casserole is an easy yes. Mix eggs, sausage, cheese, and either bread cubes or hash browns, then bake. It is simple to serve and easy to grab for a meal. It also divides into multiple servings. I’ve noticed even committed salad fans trying some of this.

17) Cocktail Sausages

These are incredibly easy to make and will guarantee you some appreciation. Simply prepare some mini sausages in a sweet and spicy sauce (BBQ sauce with something sweet added works well and a bit of chili flakes adds the spice). If you keep them in a slow cooker, they will stay warm and shiny. People will congregate around them as if they are waiting for a bus.

18) Chicken and Dumplings

The food feels cozy and it’s almost unfair how many people it can serve. You should definitely use rotisserie chicken to save you on time. Cook your broth and make it creamy, then add your dumplings at the end. The dumplings should be soft and tender so don’t stir a lot. Everyone in the room will be silent because of how good this food is.

19) Vegetable Soup

I enjoy preparing large quantities of plant-based soup for potlucks because it makes me feel a little altruistic. The great thing about this recipe is that you can use any vegetables that are about to go bad in your fridge. Regardless of the vegetables you choose, you will always end up with a cozy soup.

If you want to make the soup more substantial, feel free to add some beans. Paired with rolls, you have a full meal, plus you won’t have to concern yourself about someone having to unhinge their jaw to pull into the rolls.

20) Cheesy Potato Casserole

It is as classic as it gets. The top is crunchy. The middle is creamy and cheesy. A potato based classic! The best part is it’s very easy to make for a crowd. All you need is some frozen hashbrowns, a bunch of sour cream, some cheese, and either crushed cornflakes or buttery crumbs to top it. I’ve seen a pan of this get scraped so clean you could’ve served dessert straight out of it!

21) Baked Ham

To truly make the potluck challenge interesting, why not bring a whole baked ham? It’ll feed at least 20 people and is simple to serve, as all the hosts need to do is slice the ham and let people serve themselves. The honey/brown sugar glaze adds the sweetness that everyone looks for in a dish. I suggest you bring your own carving knife. “Community knives” can be unpredictable, so be careful.

22) Roast Turkey Breast

Roasting a turkey breast can be a good way to simplify the full Thanksgiving experience. You may roast turkey breast with salt and herbs, and create gravy from the roasting liquid or broth. You can serve it warm (if you are feeling special) or allow to cool to room temperature. Either way, it will be an excellent addition to your buffet and will be appreciated by the guests who would like a holiday inspired dish.

23) Stuffing

To bring stuffing to potlucks takes some bravery; you have to appreciate tradition and comfort food. Use a wide shallow tray for toasting the top and gooey bottom. Most classic recipes use sage and onion, and the quality of the broth you use will make or break it. I’ve made the mistake of forgetting to add salt before brothing, and don’t do this because it will surely cause someone to season their stuffing live.

24) Caesar Salad

Bringing a large green salad to a potluck is like doing community service. And I mean that sincerely. For Caesar, keep the dressing separate until it’s time to serve so the romaine stays fresh and crisp.

Croutons and shaved parmesan give it enough heft to hold its own next to the casseroles.

It’s also refreshing for those who seek something lighter between bites of mac and cheese (which, to be honest, is the majority of us).

25) Taco Salad Bar

A taco salad bar is very ideal for potlucks because it allows guests to customize their meals, and it is also clean and organized. All you have to do is prepare the slow cooker for the seasoned beef, and get the toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beans, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips.

This way guests can decide how mild or how spicy their salad is, and everyone will appreciate not having to be restricted to one “true casserole” dish. I have witnessed miracles when children eat lettuce so this salad bar would do the trick!

26) Chicken Alfredo Bake

Alfredo in a big pan is unapologetically rich and that’s the point. Utilize cooked chicken (leftover roast chicken works great), combine with pasta and a creamy sauce, add broccoli so you can feel better about your choice. It will only take a moment to bake this meal until it is bubbly and a light brown color. If you are feeding 20 people, this will go extremely quickly, especially if there are teenagers.

27) King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch chicken is just the right amount of cozy and a bit rowdy, and embodies all the flavors I love in a potluck casserole. Think chicken and tortillas, cheese and sauce with peppers, all baked together until the edges are crispy. It’s not about being dainty. In fact, it isn’t. Bring a serving spoon that can support a big scoop; this is not a “dainty spatula” job.

28) Shepherd’s Pie

Though originally made with lamb, Shepherd’s pie in the US is often made with beef. To avoid spilling the filling by the sides when serving, make sure the filling has enough thickness.

You can get a nice golden crust on mashed potatoes by roughing up the surface with a fork. Plus, the addition of peas and carrots make the dish look more colorful and attractive! Meals like this make people feel able and lucky.

29) Baked Spaghetti

Baked spaghetti is a bit retro (in a good way…). You combine pasta with some sauce and cheese, bake it, and then cut it into squares like a casserole? That’s awesome because you can transport it to a potluck really easily, and it looks like you did a lot of work when in reality you didn’t! Also, it serves 20 (and looks like it’ll be a lot more), and it’s super cheap. Definitely a good trick to have up your sleeve.

30) Enchilada Casserole

If preparing 40 rolled enchiladas seems overwhelming, consider using a layered approach instead. Stack tortillas with sauce, cheese, and shredded chicken or beans, then bake until everything melds together. It remains delicious as it cools and is easy to portion. For a brighter flavor, sour cream and chopped cilantro could be added.

31) Jambalaya

With jambalaya, you get tons of personality for just one pot! Why do you think that is? It’s got Andouille sausage for heat, smokiness, chicken for heartiness, and a whole lot of rice to bulk it up. I keep it at medium heat because it depends on whom I’m serving it to and I keep hot sauce on the side. If you can pull this off, you will have people asking for your recipe which can be annoying if you were just winging it, but also kind of flattering.

32) Corn Casserole

Sweet and soft corn casserole is a relative of cornbread. It brings warmth and gentle sweetness. The casserole is also very adaptable. It can be made in large baking sheets, and served with dishes like ham or even chili.

The casserole has a unique texture that reminds me of a mix of pudding and bread. This may sound strange but you’ll get it when you try it. I’ve made this casserole as a backup before and I’ve been surprised when it outperformed the centerpiece casserole. I would say it’s rude but it was actually quite informative.

33) Dinner Rolls

Mop-up buns, when paired with good quality butter, are a great option. They do exactly what buns should do, mopping up gravy or sauce, and if you are in a time crunch, they would be a great option. Just remember, don’t forget the serving tongs; it shouldn’t be a free for all!

34) Sheet Cake

A Texas Sheet Cake will serve 20 people nicely. Texas Sheet Cake has a nice crumb and delicious frosting that will be served warm. Cut the cake into even squares to ensure each guest gets at least two. I’ve seen people stop talking and even make announcements when they see cake.

Pantry & Tools I Reach For When Cooking for a Crowd

This kit is what does the labor for many of my potluck contributions. Affiliate links: HomeViable makes a small commission, at no cost to the user, if they buy through these links.

• MIAOJIE Insulated Casserole Carrier. The carrier that maintains the temperature of the baked ziti during the car ride to the church basement.
• ThermoMaven Instant-Read Meat Thermometer. Removes the ham at the correct temperature, the turkey breast without going too high, and the drumsticks before the skin is about to irreversibly bronze.
• U-Taste Stainless Steel Cooking Tongs Set. Heat-resistant silicone tips and locking handle.