43 Easy Potluck Dishes Guaranteed to Impress a Crowd
With so many delicious salads, finger foods, savory bakes and sweet treats at your fingertips, you'll be the MVP of every gathering.
As lovely as full-out dinner parties are, potlucks are a super smart way to share both the load and the wealth — plus, they invite everyone to have a hand in making the event a smashing success. Here, we’ve compiled the best potluck dishes for whatever gathering you may be gearing up for: An annual holiday get-together, Sunday dinner with the family, a breakfast potluck, an office holiday party and everything in between. Say hello to cozy comfort food, tasty finger foods, irresistible dips, party desserts and so much more!
You may be wondering what exactly makes a dish potluck-friendly. For starters, it should make enough food to share (with room for seconds), so depending on the number of guests, you may need to scale up the recipe. Potluck dishes should also be relatively portable and easy to serve (assuming you’ll be transporting them) and make-ahead meals are always a masterful move if you’re all about not being stressed during crunch time (*raises hand*). Most importantly, anything you bring to a potluck should be crowd-pleasing, regardless of the occasion! From easy appetizers and stunning sweets to vegetarian dishes and air fryer recipes, we’ve got you covered no matter what you signed up to bring.
Connecting with loved ones over delicious food and good conversation is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so get the party started with these amazing potluck ideas. You’ll be proud to contribute any of these shareable dishes to the spread — and glad you skipped the checkout line to pick up something store-bought.
Green Bean Pasta Salad
This bright, balanced (vegan!) pasta salad is easy to make a few hours before party time. Fold in the herbs right before serving for optimal freshness.
Get the Green Bean Pasta Salad recipe.
Skillet Cheeseburger Hot Dish
The crispy tot topping and a finger-licking “special sauce” on the side take this hearty dish into definite party-pleaser territory.
Get the Skillet Cheeseburger Hot Dish recipe.
Best-Ever Chocolate Cake
Impress guests at your gathering by sharing the not-so-secret ingredient that makes this decadent number so irresistible: Mayonnaise! It adds crazy-good richness and doubles as a fantastic sub for eggs and oil.
Get the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe.
Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad
This protein-packed side gets a flavorful boost from toasted walnuts, aromatic thyme and tangy-sweet balsamic vinegar. Top with burrata table-side for a wow-worthy presentation.
Classic Baked Beans
Bring the BBQ vibes to your potluck with these saucy, savory-sweet, homemade baked beans. We’re partial to starting with dried beans, but in a pinch, you can use canned navy beans.
Get the Classic Baked Beans recipe.
Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake
Layers of cinnamon graham crackers, chocolate pudding and vanilla pudding meld into a dreamy, spoonable (no-bake!) treat with an overnight rest in the fridge.
Get the Cinnamon-Scented Icebox Cake recipe.
Red Velvet Cookies
Have your cake and eat it too with these chocolate chip-studded delights. Plan ahead and freeze scooped dough so you’re always ready for your next party (just add a few minutes to the baking time).
Get the Red Velvet Cookies recipe.
RELATED: 20 Best Red Velvet Recipes
Matzo Lasagna
This veg-friendly twist on a classic bakes up in about half the time as the traditional version. Just one more reason to love this cozy, cheesy dish!
Get the Matzo Lasagna recipe.
RELATED: 61 Passover Recipes for a Delicious Seder the Family Will Love
Puttanesca Polenta Bake
For the next gathering you host, present this savory skillet bake that plays up the punchy flavors of puttanesca, all topped with cheese-broiled polenta rounds.
Get the Puttanesca Polenta Bake recipe.
Blueberry Cornmeal Crumble Pie
Cornmeal in both the crust and crumb topping adds a subtle nuttiness that makes this jammy pie shine. As tempting as it is to dig in right away, be sure to let the pie cool for a few hours to make it easier to slice.
Manchego Devils on Horseback
Cheese-stuffed, prosciutto-wrapped dates brushed with a delectable maple-vinegar glaze are always a good idea. Trust us, these one-bite wonders will disappear before you know it!
Get the Manchego Devils on Horseback recipe.
Dill Dip
Set out this creamy, one-bowl dip packed with herbs, scallions and lemon with a platter of crackers and veggies and your job is done. Dip, dip, hooray!
Get the Dill Dip recipe.
Herbed Bulgur Salad
A quick, greens-packed pesto makes the feel-good whole grain as tasty as it is nutritious — and ideal for pairing with the rest of the spread. Double this recipe to serve a large crowd.
Get the Herbed Bulgur Salad recipe.
RELATED: 11 Healthiest Whole Grains to Add to Your Grocery List
Spiced Snack Mix
Sesame seeds, caraway seeds and dried onion and parsley make this crunchy, savory mix the perfect munchable snack while guests settle in. Plus, you can whip it up in the air fryer!
Get the Spiced Snack Mix recipe.
RELATED: 35 Best Tailgate Food Ideas for the Ultimate Game Day Party
11-Layer Salad
Put your trifle dish to good use in this centerpiece salad layered with colorful veggies, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, cheese and grains. Retro is always in style!
Get the 11-Layer Salad recipe.
Roasted Pepper Dip
Just a handful of ingredients — nutty roasted almonds, marinated peppers, herbs — create a can’t-stop-eating dip that’s a great pairing for crunchy veggies.
Get the Roasted Pepper Dip recipe.
Applesauce Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Bring along some fluffy challah buns and a vinegary cabbage-apple slaw so everyone can make their own sandwiches.
Baked Ricotta
Serve these jammy roasted vegetables with warm ricotta and crusty bread for a potluck appetizer the whole crew will enjoy.
Get the Baked Ricotta recipe.
Pull-Apart S'mores Sliders
These delicious, gooey sliders made with Hawaiian buns, milk chocolate and mini marshmallows will be a crowd fave.
Get the Pull-Apart S'mores Sliders recipe.
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
This crunchy, large-format salad loaded with mozzarella pearls adds some fresh flavor to the table — and is perfect for any vegetarian attendees.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
50 Flavorful and Filling Low-Calorie Meals
Easy and Satisfying High-Protein Vegan Meals
The Best-Ever Rosh Hashanah Menu
32 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals
