Don't Stress the Potluck—Just Make One of These 30 Easy Wins

You know those moments when you realize you signed up for the potluck… and totally forgot? Don’t stress the potluck—it doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen or a last-minute grocery run meltdown. I’ve found some go-to recipes that are quick, crowd-pleasing, and actually fun to make. Whether you’re aiming for sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, these easy wins have you covered.

Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Looking for a mouthwatering red cabbage coleslaw recipe? Try our quick and easy Southern dish that is perfect for busy cooks. Enjoy the creamy goodness!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Buttermilk

No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

A glass bowl of roasted potato salad — No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

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This warm Roasted Potato Salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

Cornbread Corn Pudding

This baked cornbread casserole features a custardy cornbread pudding base,mixed with toasted cornbread and fresh or frozen corn. Top with grated cheese!
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Corn Pudding

Bread Salad

Easy Panzanella Bread Salad is loaded with crusty bread, cherry tomatoes, green olives, capers, fresh basil, then lightly tossed with olive oil dressing.
Get the Recipe: Bread Salad

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

A clear bowl of ranch potato salad. — Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ranch potato salad loaded with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for your next potluck.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Potatoes au gratin in a baking dish with a serving spoon. — Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy Au Gratin Potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes stacked on their side for the creamiest potatoes with crispy edges in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch, — Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Follow these steps at home to make this creamy casserole with fresh green beans. No canned mushroom soup here! A homemade cream sauce is used.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

Tex Mex Summer Squash Casserole With A Kick!

A serving of cheesy casserole topped with sour cream and chopped green onions sits on a dark plate next to a fork. The dish, ideal for Cinco de Mayo recipes, features melted cheddar cheese and visible slices of jalapeño. — Tex Mex Summer Squash Casserole With A Kick!. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tex Mex casserole uses fresh summer squash and Rotel tomatoes over a base of crunchy tortilla chips, all topped with cheese!
Get the Recipe: Tex Mex Summer Squash Casserole With A Kick

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Roasted cauliflower with brown butter in a serving bowl. — Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted Cauliflower is even better with some browned butter. Add a little spicy and some pumpkin seeds for a great side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Mexican Cornbread Recipe With Creamed Corn

A stack of Mexican cornbread on a rack. — Mexican Cornbread Recipe With Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Try a Tex-Mex version of Southern cornbread made with creamed corn and green chilies. A super moist cornbread that you can prep in 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Cornbread Recipe With Creamed Corn

Baked Macaroni Pie With Just 5 Ingredients

A casserole dish of baked macaroni pie. — Baked Macaroni Pie With Just 5 Ingredients. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Baked macaroni and cheese has a rich, creamy texture and is so easy to make. Prep in under 30 minutes, with only 5 ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni Pie With Just 5 Ingredients

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

A square of strawberry pretzel salad — Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Start with a pretzel crust, add a cream cheese layer and top it with a concentrated strawberry jello, a throw back to the 70’s. Great for holiday gatherings or potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

A broccoli rice casserole in a skillet. — Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This broccoli rice casserole without canned soup features steamed broccoli florets, fluffy rice, and a creamy, cheesy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

A bowl of macaroni salad next to a wooden spoon. — Classic Southern Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Classic Southern Macaroni Salad is comfort food at its finest, which is great if you’re craving Southern flavors.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

A spoon full of au gratin potatoes with cheese. — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This side dish casserole for cheesy scalloped potatoes is made with thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes and fresh garlic, milk and cream, plus gruyere cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

A bowl of apple salad with a serving spoon next to it. — Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic Waldorf Salad recipe never goes out of style. Crispy apples, celery, walnuts, and sweet raisins are coated in a light mayonnaise dressing.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

Broccoli Casserole With Homemade Cheese Sauce

A spoon full of cheesy broccoli casserole in a baking dish. — Broccoli Casserole With Homemade Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This baked, bubbling broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce casserole is a quick and simple side dish made with fresh broccoli — and without soup or rice!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole With Homemade Cheese Sauce

Corn And Cucumber Salad Recipe

A creamy cucumber salad with corn in a glass bowl with a serving spoon — Corn And Cucumber Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Jazz up your salad menu with a Corn and Cucumber Salad. The light and healthy mixture of veggies along with a creamy yogurt, mayo and dill dressing will satisfy any palate.
Get the Recipe: Corn And Cucumber Salad Recipe

Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Cottage Cheese

A serving of mac and cheese being removed from a casserole dish. — Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Cottage Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With cottage cheese blended into its sauce, this baked one-pot mac and cheese recipe is ultra-creamy. A delicious twist on classic mac & cheese.
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Cottage Cheese

Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of carrot and raisin salad next to a bunch of carrots. — Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Shredded carrots, sweet raisins, and pineapple are mixed with a light mayo dressing in this nostalgic salad. It’s a sweet and tangy dish that’s stood the test of time in church cookbook salads.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

Best Broccoli Salad With Sunflower Seeds And Bacon

This is the best Broccoli Salad with Sunflower Seeds recipe! It’s creamy and crunchy with fresh broccoli, homemade dressing and lots of bacon!
Get the Recipe: Best Broccoli Salad With Sunflower Seeds And Bacon

Summer Squash Casserole With Ritz Crackers

A scoop of a squash casserole. — Summer Squash Casserole With Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cheesy squash casserole with Ritz crackers and sour cream has a cheesy, tangy sauce and buttery topping. Perfectly baked and never mushy.
Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole With Ritz Crackers

Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad – It’s a Classic

A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings. — Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad – It’s a Classic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic Southern seven-layer salad is a staple in church potlucks. Served in a clear glass bowl that showcases all the beautiful colors.
Get the Recipe: Classic 7 Layer Salad

Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

A serving of baked mashed potatoes being taken out of a casserole dish. — Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

All the flavors of a twice baked potato in a casserole. Baked mashed potatoes with cheese and green onions are the perfect side dish.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese

A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl. — Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy Southern pea salad bursts with flavors of the South, blending tender fresh or frozen peas with sharp cheddar cheese, smooth mayonnaise, and tangy sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pea Salad

Best Southern Corn Pudding Recipe

A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion. — Best Southern Corn Pudding Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A Southern Corn Pudding with fresh corn is an easy side that you can prep in 10 minuets. Make it ahead of time for an easy Holiday side.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding Recipe

Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows

A glass bowl filled with creamy fruit salad, inspired by vintage recipes, is topped with a red maraschino cherry; the salad contains marshmallows, fruit pieces, and whipped cream. Silver spoons rest beside the bowl on a gray surface. — Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A nostalgic Ambrosia salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, and coconut, topped with creamy whipped cream and a touch of sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows

Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham

A serving spoon in a corn casserole. — Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This ultra cheesy corn casserole with cream cheese and ham will be your new favorite side dish! Creamy, cheesy, and so much flavor!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham

Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic church potluck side.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

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