42 Easy Potluck Dishes Perfect for a Large Gathering
From casseroles to finger foods and more, these are all crowd-pleasers!
There's something lovely about a potluck dinner. Not only does it mean that one person doesn't have to do all the cooking (and grocery shopping!) for a crowd, it gives everyone the chance to show off a dish they're proud of and maybe even try something new. If you're headed to a potluck dinner soon, you're in luck because we've rounded up dozens of potluck ideas that are sure to be crowd-pleasers. From finger foods to make-ahead meals to veggie-packed sides , these potluck dishes deserve a spot on the table.
No matter what you've signed up for — the main dish , easy appetizers , side dishes , or sweet desserts — there's sure to be a recipe here for you. Many of them come together with the help of your air fryer or slow cooker , making them especially easy. Additionally, some of these are vegetarian dishes or vegan recipes (or can be modified to be) so everyone gets to enjoy them. Depending on how many people you're expecting to feed and how many dishes there will be altogether, some of these recipes may need to be doubled to ensure that the whole crowd gets a piece. Because trust us, no one will want to miss out on these.
Continue on for the best potluck dishes to feed a crowd at your next get-together.
Saucy Sausage Meatballs
The secret to these savory, saucy meatballs is a little bit of cinnamon and orange zest. Put some toothpicks in to serve these as appetizers, or bring some rolls along for everyone to make their own meatball subs.
Get the Saucy Sausage Meatballs recipe .
RELATED: 51 Juicy Meatball Recipes That Are Simple Enough for Any Weeknight Dinner
Shepherd's Pie
This dish made with potatoes, ground lamb or beef, and plenty of veggies is basically the definition of cozy. This recipe as written is meant to serve four people, so you can double if you're making this for a larger crowd.
Get the Shepherd's Pie recipe .
Cheesy Garlic Bread
It doesn't really get better than this crispy, cheesy, garlicky bread. The butter is mixed with garlic, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard for an extra flavor boost.
Get the Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe .
Tiramisu Dip
Dips make for great potluck contributions, and dessert dips are certainly no exception. This creamy one can be spooned into individual cups or served family-style.
Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe .
Apple Sausage Rolls
Flaky puff pastry is stuffed with flavorful homemade sausage in this recipe. Don't forget the apple butter mustard for dipping!
Get the Apple Sausage Rolls recipe .
Gochujang Fried Rice
This sweet and spicy fried rice dish is sure to have everyone at your potluck coming back for seconds...and maybe even thirds. This recipe is also written to serve four, but you can double or even triple it for a larger crowd.
Get the Gochujang Fried Rice recipe .
Mixed Berry Cobbler
This rustic dessert brings together fresh berries under a crunchy, crumbly topping. Take it to the next level by topping it with vanilla ice cream.
Get the Mixed Berry Cobbler recipe .
Scallion and Sesame Focaccia
This savory focaccia uses scallions, sesame oil, sesame seeds and flaky salt. If this doesn't strike your fancy, you might wanna check out our
Pear Focaccia
or
Tomato, Garlic, and Rosemary Focaccia
recipes.
Get the Scallion and Sesame Focaccia recipe .
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
These spicy, cheesy bites come together in the air fryer. Who doesn't love an easy appetizer?
Get the
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers recipe
.
RELATED: 55 Easy Air Fryer Recipes That You Absolutely Need to Try
Ropa Vieja
The national dish of Cuba, ropa vieja comes together entirely in the slow cooker. Everyone at the potluck will love this saucy beef main dish.
Get the Ropa Vieja recipe .
Spiced Chocolate Bark
This chocolate bark gets a unique twist from a little bit of homemade Sriracha mixed in with the melted chocolate. You can also prep this simple dessert ahead of time.
Get the
Spiced Chocolate Bark recipe
.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These saucy snacks aren't just for
game day
! Everyone at your potluck will enjoy these flavorful bites, especially if you serve them with a blue cheese dip.
Get the
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe
.
Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions
A tray of mashed potatoes is a welcome addition to any potluck. These ones are extra special thanks to the garlic, peppercorn, and thyme-infused mixture and lemony scallion relish.
Get the Mashed Potatoes with Buttery Sliced Scallions recipe .
RELATED: 46 Easy Mashed Potatoes To Help You Find the Ultimate Holiday Side
Pierogi with Sautéed Cabbage
The base of this dish is store-bought frozen pierogi, but it doesn't feel basic thanks to the addition of crispy bacon and tender roasted onions and cabbage.
Get the Pierogi with Sautéed Cabbage recipe .
Neapolitan Cookies
These picture-perfect cookies are surprisingly easy to make, not to mention delicious.
Get the Neapolitan Cookies recipe .
Onion and Gruyère Quiche
If it's a potluck brunch you're attending, you can't go wrong with this cheesy flavor-packed quiche. Even if it's not a potluck brunch, this is sure to be well-received at any time of day — especially with that gorgeous braided crust.
Get the Onion and Gruyère Quiche recipe .
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
These roasted Brussels sprouts are a great side dish for any potluck. They're tossed with a maple-sriracha glaze and seasoned twice for extra intense flavor.
Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe .
Penne with Spicy Anchovy Marinara
Pasta can be a great potluck dish because it's relatively inexpensive and feeds a crowd. This recipe calls for homemade pasta, but you can swap in store-bought. Any pasta is sure to shine when it's coated with this spicy, savory sauce.
Get the Penne With Spicy Anchovy Marinara recipe .
RELATED: 50+ Easy Pasta Recipes for the Perfect Weeknight Dinner
Beef Empanadas
These handheld appetizers are sure to be a hit. Flaky pie dough is stuffed with seasoned ground beef and trust us — it's delicious.
Get the Beef Empanadas recipe .
Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers
If you've got vegetarian guests at your potluck, they'll be thrilled with this veggie-packed salad topped with crumbly, salty feta. It can be a side dish or you can double the recipe to make it a main.
Get the Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers recipe .
RELATED: 55 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Dinner
Heather Finn is the content strategy editor at Good Housekeeping, where she heads up the brand's social media strategy and covers entertainment news on everything from ABC's 'The Good Doctor' to Netflix's latest true crime documentaries.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan , Woman’s Day , Good Housekeeping , and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter .
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