Potluck Helpers: Dozens of Dish Ideas + Tips

Whether it’s for a family reunion, summer barbecue or a holiday get-together for co-workers, chances are you’ll be invited to participate in a potluck a time or two throughout the year. Many times the host will organize who brings what (a side, a meat dish, a dessert, etc.), but the actual recipe will be up to you.

You can bring your tried-and-true salad that everyone raves about or maybe you’re ready to try something new…if you’re stumped and have no idea what to bring and are looking for fresh ideas, this is the tipsheet for you!

Here are dozens of different recipes that will get your creative juices flowing. First you’ll find a mix of dishes that I’ve handpicked from around the ‘net, some quick & easy while others promise to be impressive taste bud pleasers.

Next you’ll find groups such as Appetizers & Dips, Salads, Casseroles, Potatoes, Rice & Pasta Dishes and finally Desserts & Squares…referencing hundreds (yup, hundreds!) of recipes that I’ve already gathered and organized here on Tipnut.

You’ll also find a few quick tips listed at the bottom of this page. Plenty here to help you decide on a perfect dish for whatever the occasion, enjoy!

Pesto Pasta: Can be made a day ahead and tossed with hot pasta on the day you serve it.

Lasagna Rolls: Baked in a 13x9x2″ glass baking dish, ingredients include whole milk ricotta cheese, spinach, prosciutto, marinara sauce and shredded mozza.

Sausage & Shrimp Rice: Ingredients include pastured Italian sausage, peeled & deveined shrimp, small peppers, diced onion, minced garlic, tomatoes and long grain rice.

Best Baked Spinach: Made with fresh spinach, unsalted butter, stock, grated Swiss cheese, dry breadcrumbs, flour, salt and pepper.

Pizza In A Bowl: Made with corkscrew macaroni, thinly sliced pepperoni, lean ground beef, onion, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella and more.

Fiesta Rice Salad: Ingredients include brown rice, corn kernels, black beans, limes (juiced), bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and more.

Zucchini Rice Casserole: A cheesy baked rice dish made with long-grain brown rice, chicken broth, diced zucchini (or summer squash), green bell peppers and more.

Butternut Squash & Macaroni Casserole: A creamy main dish made with coconut milk, yellow onion, butternut squash, elbow macaroni, chopped walnuts and more.

Bubble up Enchiladas: Topped with canned refrigerated biscuits, meat can be cooked the night before and then mixed with the rest of ingredients the day of potluck.

Cheddar Corn Spoon Bread: A southern side dish that’s so soft it can be served & eaten with a spoon.

Stuffed Party Pinwheels: A light dish that makes 24 to 30, should be chilled 4 hours before serving. Tortillas are rolled with thinly sliced cooked chicken, roast beef and other ingredients.

Spicy Sausage, Chicken and Bean Pot: A one-pot dish that features Italian hot sausage, andouille sausage, chicken, onion, carrots, celery, white cannellini beans and more.

Mashed Potatoes with Bacon & Cheddar: A dish reminiscent of twice baked potatoes that includes bacon, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, chives and more.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Noodles: Ingredients include extra-wide egg noodles, roasted chicken, frozen peas, garlic, whole milk (or light cream), bread, shredded Parmesan and fresh thyme.

Hearty Calico Bean Bake: A sweet-savory bean dish that is made with 5 different kinds of beans (canned), brown sugar, cooked ham, cubed cheddar and more.

Bonanza Bean Dip: Yields 8 to 10 servings and needs to chill up to 24 hours before serving. Made with refried beans, Lime Guacamole (recipe included), cheese, sour cream, and more.

Sweet Potato Casserole: Features a heated marshmallow topping, ingredients are simple: sweet potatoes, salt & pepper, whole milk, butter and ground nutmeg.

Chicken Tetrazzini: Ingredients include fresh asparagus, whole fresh mushrooms, sweet peppers, chicken broth, shredded Swiss cheese, roasted chicken and more.

Calico Potatoes: Easy dish with simple ingredients, you’ll need bacon drippings (or olive oil), diced onion, green sweet pepper, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes and seasoning.

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Bake: Made with noodles, chicken, fresh mushrooms, green onions, red sweet pepper, chicken broth, garlic, sour cream, canned soup, broccoli, bread crumbs and more.

Loaded Potluck Favorite: A hearty dish of potatoes (cooked then mashed with evaporated milk & sour cream), cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.

Baked Chicken Enchiladas: Made with whole wheat tortillas, crushed tomatoes, black beans, chicken, mozza & cheddar cheeses, Philadelphia Santa Fe Blend Cooking Creme and seasonings.

Goat Cheese, Artichoke & Smoked Ham Strata: Made with sourdough bread cubes, goat cheese, smoked ham, marinated artichoke hears, Parmesan, fontina cheese and more.

Lasagna Cups: Yields 12, jumbo muffin tins are lined with squares of parchment paper then filled with lasagna noodles, ground beef, cheese, tomato sauce and more.

Need more ideas? Lots to pick from below! Simply click on the picture that catches your eye and you’ll be whisked to the page full of more recipes for that particular dish.

Appetizers & Dips

Salads

Casseroles

Potatoes, Rice & Pasta Dishes

Desserts & Squares

Tips

• Transport warm dishes in a casserole tote or wrap in aluminum foil and a thick towel.
• Keep cold dishes in the refrigerator until just before you leave, pack in a cooler or with ice packs if needed (for longer drives).
• Keep dishes stable during transport by packing them in a cardboard box (no worries about spills or dishes sliding around).
• Uh oh, which one is your dish to take home? Avoid confusion by dabbing the bottom of a casserole dish or bowl with colored nail polish (just a dot will do or paint your initials). You can also use a strip of masking tape marked with your name or make personalized potluck dishes using etching cream (see this DIY project).
• If you’re planning on bringing a salad, keep the dressing in a separate container and add just before serving, this will keep the vegetables nice and crisp (unless the salad needs to marinate in dressing for best results).
• Should you bring serving utensils? Check with the host first, if so you can keep track of your item by wrapping the top of the handle with decorative tape.