29 Potluck Recipes So Good, They Deserve a Spot in the Church Basement

The best potluck dishes don’t just fill a spot on the table—they’re the ones people ask for again and again. These 29 potluck recipes are so good, they could’ve earned a permanent spot in any church basement gathering. Each one is simple to make, easy to share, and built to impress a crowd without the stress. If you’re heading to a potluck and want to bring a dish that won’t be forgotten, this list is the place to start.

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus Asparagus Couscous brings a fresh and balanced option to the table in just 30 minutes. Tender couscous, crisp asparagus, and citrus vinaigrette make it light but full of flavor. It’s the kind of side that works well with anything on a potluck table. This is one of those recipes that feels like it’s always had a seat in the church basement.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Mini Apple Pies

Mini Apple Pies bring all the charm of a classic dessert in a simple, shareable format. With spiced apple filling and flaky crust, they’re made for passing around a potluck table. They’re easy to serve and even easier to love. These little pies feel like something that would’ve been wrapped in foil on the old folding table.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans bring heat and crunch without a lot of prep. They’re cooked quickly but hit with just enough flavor to stand out on a crowded buffet. It’s the kind of bold side that turns heads even when there’s a casserole nearby. These green beans are proof that simple can still make noise.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Greek Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad in a brown bowl, garnished with pita bread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Greek Quinoa Salad adds color, texture, and brightness to any potluck spread. With olives, feta, and fresh vegetables, it brings a hearty bite that balances heavier dishes. It keeps well and travels easily, which makes it potluck-friendly through and through. This one feels right at home next to a slow cooker of meatballs.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Peach Crumble Bars

Peach Crumble Bars hit that sweet spot between pie and cookie in a form that’s easy to grab and go. They’ve got juicy fruit and a golden, crumbly top that works just as well on paper plates as it does on fancy platters. You can bake them ahead and they hold up for the whole event. These bars taste like something straight out of grandma’s recipe box.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey Garlic Carrots cook quickly and come out glossy and flavorful every time. The sweet and savory combo hits that comfort note every potluck table deserves. They’re easy to reheat, easy to scoop, and always go fast. These carrots are the quiet favorite that people ask about after the dish is already empty.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter

Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter bring a little flair to a familiar favorite. With no rolling or kneading required, they’re a practical choice that still stands out. The citrus butter adds just enough brightness to keep them memorable. They taste like something someone’s aunt always brought—and no one ever skipped.
Get the Recipe: Drop Biscuits with Orange Honey Butter

Zucchini Noodle Salad

Zucchini Noodle Salad gives potluck guests something light, crisp, and flavorful between all the heavier casseroles. It’s quick to prep and keeps its texture even after sitting out. The tangy dressing and fresh crunch give it staying power on a crowded table. This salad might be the one that disappears before the meat even gets noticed.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodle Salad

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions pull together bold flavor with pantry basics. The fried onions add a crispy bite that turns something simple into something people remember. They hold up well over time and reheat easily, making them potluck-ready. These are the kind of green beans that earn recipe requests on the spot.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta bring crunch, creaminess, and a touch of sharpness to every bite. The almonds toast up in the oven while the feta softens just enough to coat the sprouts. This dish works hot or room temp, which makes it potluck gold. It’s the kind of side people didn’t think they wanted—until the tray is empty.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts roast up caramelized and tender, with just enough tang to keep them interesting. They’re easy to toss together and bake while you prep the rest of your potluck haul. The sweet-and-sour flavor turns a basic veggie into something memorable. This is the dish that gets people to say, “I usually don’t like Brussels sprouts, but…”
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes come with a nutty richness and deep garlic flavor that goes beyond your average mashed side. They’re smooth without being bland and rich without needing gravy. This is comfort food that doesn’t need anything but a big spoon. They’re the first thing gone and the one dish everyone wishes they brought.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots bring sticky-sweet flavor with just the right bite from the roasting pan. They’re finished in under 30 minutes and need almost no hands-on work. The glaze brings shine and just enough char to turn simple carrots into something crowd-pleasing. You’ll find yourself scooping these up before the rest of the table fills out.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans bring deep, savory flavor in every bite without requiring much effort at all. The sauce caramelizes slightly in the pan, giving the beans more punch than expected. It’s a great way to bring something green to the table without feeling like an afterthought. These are the kind of beans you bring once and get asked to bring forever.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Citrus Dream Tart

Citrus Dream Tart layers bright citrus flavors into a cool, creamy filling that’s perfect for spring or summer potlucks. It’s a little more work than some desserts, but it keeps well and slices clean for easy serving. The tartness cuts through any rich spread already on the table. It looks fancy but still feels like it belongs on a folding table with coffee and conversation.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Dream Tart

Taco Potato Casserole

Taco Potato Casserole checks every potluck box with hearty ingredients and bold flavors. It’s easy to prep ahead, reheat, and dish out without falling apart. Cheesy, meaty, and satisfying, it doesn’t need much else to round out a plate. It’s the kind of dish you hope someone brings—and then ask them to bring it again next time.
Get the Recipe: Taco Potato Casserole

Mexican Street Corn

Mexican Street Corn walks the line between side dish and showstopper with bold, cheesy, tangy flavor. It’s quick to assemble and full of color, making it an easy way to liven up the table. The balance of creamy and bright flavors works with almost anything else being served. This is the kind of potluck dish that turns into a talking point.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn

Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip

Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip is exactly the kind of no-fuss recipe you bring when time is tight and snacks are expected. It pairs with chips, veggies, or crackers and disappears faster than you think. It’s always nice to have a cold dip in the mix to balance out hot casseroles. This one tastes like it’s been at every potluck table since 1985.
Get the Recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Onion Dip

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

A bowl with spiral pasta, vegetables, pepperoni, and arugula. — Zesty Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad brings the crunch, color, and vinegar tang that cuts through any heavy dish it sits beside. It’s easy to double or triple for a crowd, and it holds up even after sitting out. Prep it ahead and forget about it until it’s time to serve. If there’s a pasta salad on the church table, this should be it.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Marinated Brussels Sprouts

Marinated Brussels Sprouts offer something a little unexpected but still easy to eat and easy to love. They come together fast, can be made ahead, and hold up at room temperature without losing texture. The vinaigrette gives them a bright, punchy flavor. These might be the sleeper hit that gets more attention than the mains.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Brussels Sprouts

Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole is the kind of stick-to-your-ribs dish that works in any season and on any table. It’s hearty without being complicated, and the cheese ties it all together. Prep it ahead, bake it before you leave, and serve it hot or warm—it’ll hold up either way. This one fits right in among the casseroles that made potlucks famous.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Greek Lemon Garlic Potatoes in a black dish with lemon in the background. — Greek Lemon Potatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Greek Lemon Potatoes pack in bright lemon, herbs, and garlic for flavor that sticks with you. They’re crispy on the edges and soft inside, soaking up all the marinade as they roast. This dish holds up well and still tastes great long after the potluck starts. These are the potatoes people remember long after dessert’s been served.
Get the Recipe: Greek Lemon Potatoes

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

A baked dish with a large serving of cheesy cauliflower in a glass baking dish is next to a white plate holding a portion of the same dish. The background is a light wooden surface. A fork is visible beside the plate. — Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole layers gooey cheese and soft cauliflower into a bake that’s big on comfort. It holds its shape when sliced and doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture. Quick to prep and perfect to pass, it fits right in among potluck favorites. This one doesn’t wait for the main course to make its mark.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Spring Onion Potato Salad

Spring Onion Potato Salad cuts through heavier dishes with the sharpness of onion and creaminess of potatoes. It’s great warm, cold, or anything in between, which makes it perfect for potlucks with uncertain timing. The texture stays solid without getting mushy. It’s one of those bowls that empties before the second round of plates.
Get the Recipe: Spring Onion Potato Salad

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Small baking dish with scalloped potatoes. — Easy Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes layer up buttery potatoes and creamy sauce into something rich without going over the top. They’re easy to assemble and stay warm for a long time, which makes them potluck-perfect. Everyone always scoops a little more than they meant to. These are the kind of leftovers you hope someone forgot so you can take them home.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Easy Squash Casserole

A glass baking dish filled with baked squash casserole. — Easy Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Easy Squash Casserole combines tender squash and a buttery topping in a dish that’s always welcome on a long table. It bakes fast and doesn’t fall apart when served, which makes it easy to transport and plate. The texture and flavor land right between comforting and practical. Once it’s out, it goes faster than most main courses.
Get the Recipe: Easy Squash Casserole

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes roast until the edges are crisp and the cheese is golden and just a little salty. They’re easy to batch cook and just as easy to reheat. The texture sells it, but the flavor keeps people coming back. These are the kind of potatoes you keep sneaking bites of before anyone notices.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Grandma’s Cornbread

Overhead shot of cornbread in a cast iron skillet with a single slice cut out. — Grandma’s Cornbread. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grandma’s Cornbread bakes up with a golden top and soft center that never fails. It’s the kind of side you bring to potlucks when you want something dependable and crowd-friendly. It goes with chili, casseroles, or just a pat of butter. It feels like the pan that always got scraped clean at every church function.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cornbread

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Broccoli Salad with Bacon brings crunchy, creamy, and sweet all together in one bowl. It mixes well with whatever else is being served and travels well to wherever the potluck’s happening. The bacon draws people in, but the fresh ingredients keep them coming back. It’s the salad you forget you liked until you’re scraping the bottom for one last scoop.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon