Need some ideas for potluck dishes to make? Seems I’m always making something for some bring-a-dish party somewhere (usually last minute haha!). Below are my picks for the 10 EASIEST things to make for potlucks.
Now, when I say “easy”, I’m talking EASY–easy – as in, I don’t really wanna cook something elaborate or go find a ton of fancy unusual (or expensive) ingredients.
I want things I can either throw together last minute or make ahead of time in my crockpot.
THAT’S the kind of potluck dishes, sides and desserts I have below. Oh, and they need to be CHEAP and easy haha!
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I already shared all my Brunch Potluck Recipes here, but they’re breakfast food. Which means we now need lunch and large group dinner-types of potluck dishes to make.
I’ve got a handful of my Go To recipes from my mom that I’ve made for church functions and family Holiday dinners. But here’s the thing…
I only keep her EASY recipes on hand. I’m talking LAZY easy dishes haha!
I have mad respect for people who love to make all the things from scratch – but that is NOT me. I want to bring good food, of course, but not slave away for hours preparing it.
Ok, let’s start with my favorite super simple dishes from my mom.
I’ve been making my Mama’s Zesty Pasta Salad for years – it’s an absolute Go To potluck dish that everyone loves.
Just mix in Pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, olives, red peppers, yellow banana peppers, cherry tomatoes, orange bell pepper, red onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and Olive Garden salad dressing in with your favorite cooked pasta. Then pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to take it.
It travels REALLY well. I would tell you how it tastes the next day, BUT… there’s never any leftovers!
And her Tater Tot Casserole is always a winner.
That recipe makes a 9×9 sized-casserole, so double the recipe for a bigger batch.
And this No Bake Eclair Dessert Casserole is what REALLY made my mom FAMOUS at all her church potlucks!
I’m not one to volunteer to bring any sort of main dish, but sometimes the family insists I do.
If I absolutely HAVE to bring a meat-type of main dish, it is ALWAYS this 5-ingredient pot roast.
I can’t begin to tell you how simple and CHEAP it is to make – and I always get rave reviews (all because I tossed a chuck roast and some veggies in a crock pot haha!)
5-Ingredient Pot Roast Recipe is here.
And when mom was REALLY making something last minute, it was her Lazy Easy Potluck Fruit Salad to the rescue!
While she always thought is wasn’t a “good enough” thing for HER to bring, I’ll tell ya what – EVERYONE ate it and LOVED it (including me!)
Heck, I make it for our brunch parties now!
Wanna know how to make it? It’s almost embarrassingly easy to make, but it’s GOOD!
Just chop up and dump whatever fruit you want into a big ol’ container – then add 1/3 to 1/2 cup or orange juice and mix it all up.
Yep, that’s it!
As you can see, my mom has it going on with easy potluck recipes – so it’s time to find some new things to make and take!
That’s what these recipes are below – my 10 favorite EASY things to make for potlucks plus my two FAVORITE potluck cookbooks:
This cookbook is full of GREAT ideas with few ingredients!✅ Found HereMom got me this church potluck cookbook – it’s great!✅ Found Here
Alrighty, let’s talk EASY potluck food ideas!
(1) 7-Layer Salad
A classic, easy 7 layer Salad recipe served in a trifle bowl. So many options for the seven layers, you choose what you love. Perfect for potlucks!
(2) Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
This simplified version of Sopapilla cheesecake bars is quick and easy with minimal effort.
The easy recipe starts and ends with Crescent Rolls with super simple cheesecake filling inbetween.
(3) Snickers Salad
Snickers candy bars in a SALAD? Who knew!?!
Turns out it is VERY good, everyone loves it and… with only THREE ingredients (apples, Snickers and Cool Whip), it’s crazy-easy to make.
(4) Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Box Cake
This easy no-bake Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Box Cake is made with a heavenly combination of freshly whipped cream, cheesecake pudding (or cream cheese), graham crackers, and juicy strawberries.
(5) Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
Easy, cheesy and a family favorite these Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are a no-fail recipe that is perfect for dinnertime, potlucks or when you’re in a hurry and want to fix it and forget it.
(6) Slow Cooker Funeral Potatoes
These Slow Cooker Funeral Potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and comforting.
Featuring a crispy and crunchy Corn Flake topping, they are the perfect crowd-pleasing side dish for your potluck or holiday dinner.
(7) Frito Corn Salad
Frito Corn Salad is a delicious side dish recipe loaded with corn, diced bell peppers, onions, shredded cheese and corn chips all tossed in a creamy mixture of mayo, ranch dressing and taco seasoning.
(8) Coleslaw Pasta Salad
This coleslaw pasta salad is always a winner wherever I take it.
It’s so different then normal pasta salads and everyone loves this stuff.
Be warned tho – there is a LOT of chopping involved, but that little bit of extra effort is TOTALLY worth it when you taste it.
A little shortcut I do – instead of making the dressing from scratch, I just use pre-made bottled cole slaw dressing.
(9) No-Bake Oreo Dessert
This No Bake Oreo Dessert requires only 20 minutes of prep time, uses only 7 ingredients, and has a 2-hour chill time – perfect for a potluck or to make on a weekend for an easy Oreo dessert the kids will love!
(10) Crockpot Crack Chicken
This creamy cheesy Crockpot Crack Chicken has all the delicious flavors of crack dip, plus tender slow-cooked chicken.
Best of all? It’s amazingly easy to make: Just cook the chicken with the ranch seasoning and cream cheese, then shred it, stir it, and add the other ingredients.
Alrighty, those are my Top 10 Easy Things To Bring To A Potluck.
Here’s more ideas…
More Super Easy Potluck Ideas:
Potluck Main Dishes For A Crowd
Easy Meals To Feed A Large Crowd
Super Easy Last Minute Potluck Ideas
80+ Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Recipe IdeasLove these potluck ideas?
Be sure to pin this page to Pinterest so you don’t lose these recipes!
✅ Recommended:
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