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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    What Recipes Make the Best Potluck Plates? These 20 Always Come Home Empty

    Published: May 20, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    If you’re the type who loves showing up to a potluck with the dish everyone raves about, you’re in the right place. These recipes aren’t just crowd-pleasers—they’re the ones that vanish before you’ve even grabbed a plate, making the best potluck plates. We’re talking zero leftovers, maximum bragging rights. Get ready to be the MVP of the food table!

    Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

    A spoonful of cornbread corn pudding.
    Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.


     

    This Southern-style baked cornbread casserole features a custardy base mixed with toasted cornbread and fresh or frozen corn, baked until golden brown and bubbling. It’s creamy, comforting, and perfect as a side dish for any special meal.
    Get the Recipe: Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

    Southern Baked Beans Recipe with Ground Beef

    A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger.
    Southern Baked Beans Recipe with Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

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    Sweet and smoky baked beans are a Southern classic and the perfect side dish for a cookout or BBQ. Simmered in a skillet in a blend of smoky bacon, molasses, and tangy barbecue sauce, they’re hard to beat. 
    Get the Recipe:Southern Baked Beans Recipe with Ground Beef

    Crustless Tomato Pie with Farro

    A baking dish of tomato pie with a serving spoon.
    Crustless Tomato Pie with Farro. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This non-traditional tomato pie combines fresh zucchini and farro to showcase summer tomatoes. The farro and zucchini provide texture, and a little Gruyère is the perfect topping for this summer dish.
    Get the Recipe: Crustless Tomato Pie with Farro

    Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese

    A bowl of macaroni salad next to a wooden spoon.
    Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    A combination of both sour cream and mayonnaise create the creamiest Southern macaroni salad around. A hint of sweet and sour along with grated cheese makes this the star of any potluck or cook out.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese

    Extra Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

    A serving bowl of crispy potatoes and onions.
    Extra Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    These oven-roasted potatoes achieve the perfect crunch by boiling and then shaking them before roasting, resulting in the crispiest edges. A simple technique with minimal oil transforms humble potatoes into a crowd-pleasing side dish.
    Get the Recipe: Extra Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes

    Baked Macaroni Pie with Just 5 Ingredients

    A casserole dish of baked macaroni pie.
    Baked Macaroni Pie with Just 5 Ingredients. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Baked macaroni and cheese has a rich, creamy texture and is so easy to make. Just pop it in the oven and forget about it and you’ll have a perfect balance of creamy sauce and savory noodles, making it a true comfort food classic. 
    Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni Pie with Just 5 Ingredients

    Loaded Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave

    A bowl of loaded mashed potatoes with a small bowl of crispy onions.
    Loaded Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    These loaded mashed potatoes are prepared entirely in the microwave, combining creamy potatoes with crispy bacon, sour cream, and green onions. A quick and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: Loaded Mashed Potatoes in the Microwave

    Hashbrown Casserole with Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

    A spoon full of hashbrown casserole.
    Hashbrown Casserole with Cornflakes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This vegetarian-friendly hashbrown casserole combines frozen hashbrowns with a creamy sauce and is topped with buttery cornflakes for a satisfying crunch. It’s an easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
    Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole with Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

    Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

    wild rice with roasted grapes in a white bowl.
    Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Fluffy wild rice is tossed with grapes roasted in balsamic vinegar, toasted pecans, shallots, and maple syrup for a savory and slightly sweet side dish. This combination offers a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.
    Get the Recipe: Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

    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 & Baggage.

    This Tex Mex-inspired casserole features fresh summer squash and spicy Rotel tomatoes layered over crunchy tortilla chips, all topped with melted cheese. It’s a flavorful and spicy side dish that can also stand alone as a vegetarian main course.
    Get the Recipe: Tex Mex Summer Squash Casserole with a Kick!

    Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins

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

    This classic carrot salad combines freshly grated carrots with sweet raisins and a touch of tangy pineapple, creating a light and refreshing side dish. It’s a nostalgic favorite that’s easy to prepare and perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins

    Sweet and Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing – Never Dry

    A serving spoon in a casserole dish of cornbread dressing.
    Sweet and Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing – Never Dry. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This Southern classic cornbread dressing is made with store-bought cornbread, herbs, vegetables, and plenty of butter, resulting in a moist and flavorful side dish. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and savory, making it an ideal addition to any holiday meal.
    Get the Recipe: Sweet and Savory Southern Cornbread Dressing – Never Dry

    Summer Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers

    A scoop of a squash casserole.
    Summer Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This scrumptious Squash Casserole is a crowd-pleaser. Featuring sliced yellow squash, onions, and a cheesy sour cream sauce, this casserole is a comforting and flavorful addition to any meal.
    Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers

    Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon

    A spoon full of apples and sweet potatoes.
    Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This sweet potato casserole is enhanced with the rich flavors of bourbon and topped with a streusel made of spicy pecans, brown sugar, and crispy bacon. It’s a make-ahead dish that’s sure to be a showstopper at any holiday meal.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon

    Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

    A skillet filled with creamy, cooked corn kernels being stirred by a wooden spoon. The creamed corn appears to be seasoned and mixed with a rich, creamy substance, creating a luscious texture. The background is a grayish cooking surface.
    Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This creamy corn dish is cooked in a cast iron skillet, combining fresh corn kernels with butter for a rich and comforting side. It’s a simple yet delicious addition to any meal, bringing out the natural sweetness of the corn.
    Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

    Funeral Potatoes Recipe

    Easy cheesy chicken casserole
    Funeral Potatoes Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This comforting casserole features tender potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crunchy cornflakes for irresistible texture. It’s a beloved dish at gatherings and potlucks for good reason—it disappears fast.
    Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes Recipe

    Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

    A white bowl filled with colorful corn salad, featuring yellow corn, red bell peppers, and green herbs, sits on a red plate with fresh herbs on the side.
    Fresh Corn Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Loaded with sweet corn, crisp bell peppers, and fresh herbs, this salad is tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette for a refreshing finish. It’s the perfect make-ahead summer side that adds color and crunch to your table.
    Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

    Pasta Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing

    A bowl of pasta salad with rotini noodles, diced avocado, cubes of cheese, sliced mini peppers, corn, black beans, and chopped green onions.
    Pasta Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing. Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This pasta salad features a smoky, creamy chipotle dressing that brings a bold twist to the classic dish. It’s packed with flavor and makes a great side or light main course for any summer spread.
    Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing

    Roasted Green Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    A plate of sautéed green beans mixed with crispy bacon bits and chopped pecans, served on a white dish.
    Roasted Green Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

    These roasted green beans are elevated with the tangy, intense flavor of sun-dried tomatoes, making them anything but ordinary. A quick and flavorful side that pairs well with almost any main dish.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans

    Close-up of green bean casserole, a classic among Christmas casseroles, topped with crispy fried onions—showing green beans, creamy sauce, and golden brown onion pieces, with a fork visible in the bottom left corner.
    Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Slow-cooked with smoky bacon and savory seasoning, these green beans are a comforting Southern staple. Let your crock pot do the work while you prep for the rest of your potluck spread.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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