How To Be The Potluck Star of The Night
You know you had a successful potluck night when your dish is empty, you received plenty of compliments, and you've gotten several invitations to attend more, just so they can get a taste of more of your food. If you want this to be you the next time you attend a gathering, we know just the dishes you should bring to wow everyone. Here are 20 exceptional potluck dishes that will definitely make you the favorite guest.
1. Baked Macaroni And Cheese
It doesn't matter what season it is or what the occasion is: macaroni and cheese is good anywhere and at any time. It's the kind of potluck dish that's rarely ever ignored, especially when it looks extra tasty with a golden breadcrumb top. Make sure to heat it up before serving so everyone can enjoy it at its best.
2. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor, buffalo chicken dip hardly ever disappoints, even if there's no game on. It's a warm appetizer that will always please no matter whose potluck you're at, and best of all, it pairs with so many different dipping options like tortilla chips, crackers, celery sticks, and more.
3. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Everyone loves potatoes, which means bringing a potato-based dish gives you an instant winner. But instead of making something lazy or boring, wow the crowd with cheesy funeral potatoes, a comforting casserole made with all the good stuff like shredded potatoes, sour cream, cheese, and a crunchy topping.
4. Slow-Cooker Meatballs
Take everyone on a delicious trip to IKEA with a plate full of tasty slow-cooker meatballs that are sure to be a hit with the crowd. It doesn't matter who's there; kids, seniors, adults, teens all love a good meatball! There are so many beloved sauces to pair them with too, like barbecue, marinara, or the classic, chili and grape jelly.
5. Taco Pasta Salad
Salads are a popular appetizer option to bring at any potluck, but instead of bringing the same old Caesar variations, try something different. A taco pasta salad is sure to be a hit when it brings together everyone's favorite ingredients like seasoned ground beef, pasta, cheese, tomatoes, and crunchy vegetables topped with a creamy salsa dressing. It's tacos, but in a more convenient form.
Karolina Kołodziejczak on Unsplash
6. Loaded Potato Salad
Speaking of salads, another creative and delicious option to consider is a loaded potato salad. Who would complain when they've got a hearty bowl of bacon, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions right in front of them? It's also a lighter take on the classic dish so that guests can dig into more while still enjoying the iconic flavors.
7. Pulled Pork Sliders
America loves pulled pork, and what better way to serve it than in an easy handheld form like a slider?
Make sure you fill them with all the good fixings like pickles, coleslaw, and extra barbecue sauce too if you're trying to leave a good impression.
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8. Spinach And Artichoke Dip
A classic everyone hopes will show up on the potluck table, warm spinach and artichoke dip when done right is an instant crowd-pleaser. It's creamy, savory, and pairs amazingly with some toasty bread, pita chips, or even crunchy vegetables. We assure you everyone will be having some on their plate.
9. Broccoli Bacon Salad
A little health on the potluck table never hurt anybody! And if you're looking to bring a dish that'll give everyone a break from the overly rich and cheesy options, a broccoli bacon salad is the way to go. It's refreshing, crisp, with just the right amount of smokiness from the bacon to keep things tasty yet not over the top.
10. Homemade Sausage Rolls
If you want a dish that's convenient finger food, something a little more outside the box would be to bring homemade sausage rolls. Trust us, people will be able to tell the difference! Just make sure the meat is seasoned, the pastry is flaky, and it's served warm if you want to be the favorite of the night.
11. Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels
Everyone loves a tasty appetizer you can hold in one hand and eat without making a mess, which makes jalapeño popper pinwheels an instant must-bring. After all, who could deny themselves a combination as scrumptious as cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and finely chopped jalapeños?
12. Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
It doesn't matter what event you're attending, whether it's a watch party, a bar get-together, or a potluck; chicken wings will always be everyone's favorite.
And if you're stuck deciding on a flavor, you truly can never go wrong with honey garlic, a classic that's sweet, salty, sticky, and easy for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
13. Cornbread Casserole
Cornbread is a barbecue side favorite that's moist, warm, and perfectly complements other dishes. That's why for a potluck, making it in casserole form allows you to bring those traits to the potluck table, but in a large, more convenient-for-sharing size.
14. Italian Pasta Salad
Who knew salad could be so fun and creative? With a pasta dish as colorful, filling, and flavorful as this Italian pasta salad, you'll change everyone's mind in thinking that salads are a boring potluck dish to bring. It's a refreshing complement to all the other warm dishes!
15. Mini Chicken And Waffles
Who said breakfast dishes aren't allowed at the table? You'll definitely be a memorable guest if you bring something as iconic as a mini chicken and waffles plate. It's surprisingly easy to make and serve too, with bite-sized pieces of crispy chicken on a small waffle, and a self-serve syrup bottle on the side being all you need.
16. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
For guests who love bold, savory appetizers with a small kick to wake up their taste buds, bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are sure to be their favorite dish of the night. The best part is, this dish is incredibly easy to make and hard to mess up!
17. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This may sound like an appetizer, but this strawberry pretzel "salad" is actually a layered dessert built to impress. Picture this: a salty pretzel crust, a creamy center, and a fruity topping that all provide contrasting flavors and textures in every bite. It's a unique sweet option that people will be coming back for more of.
18. Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate comforting, sweet, and delicious way to end any dinner. And when you bake them in bar form, the centers become even more soft and gooey, and the edges become delightfully crisp. They're easy to serve to guests too, when you pre-cut them so they're ready to grab and go.
19. Banana Pudding
When it comes to large and casual gatherings, banana pudding is a dependable sweet treat you can always count on to delight. It's made of simple ingredients, and that's why people love it: they know exactly what they're getting before they even taste it. And chances are, you're not going to mess it up when it's so easy to make.
20. Salted Caramel Brownies
If you seriously want to wow and make everyone remember you, salted caramel brownies will do the trick. It might just be the very last thing they taste, which might just guarantee you an invite back!
It's the kind of potluck dessert you bring if you want people to think you really tried and put in a lot of effort (even if that wasn't the case).
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