No one ever said it was a competition but let’s face it, there’s a clear winner at every potluck. If you want to compete with a friend’s award-winning chili or coworker’s magical brownies, you’ll need a show-stopping dish that, hopefully, isn’t too challenging to create.
We rounded up some of our favorite dishes that are perfect for the potluck, from amazing appetizers to decadent desserts. These recipes are all guaranteed party food favorites, travel well, and make a big portion (or can be easily scaled up).
Autumn Potato Gratin
In this recipe, cauliflower takes the place of potato to offer a high fiber version of the tasty classic. Topped with all the baked potato fixings, this dish starts with a pile of generously roasted cauliflower florets. Top the vegetable with shredded cheddar, sliced scallions and dollops of sour cream.
Don’t let the name fool you— this dish will get gobbled up any time of year. Start with mixed baby potatoes and cover them with a garlic mixture of cream and butter. Bake the potatoes in the cream mixture until softened, then finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins
With just a 10 minute prep time, these simple roast pork tenderloins are brimming with flavor thanks to a hearty balsamic vinegar marinade. A quick whisk of the vinegar with cracked cloves of garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme and a generous pour of olive oil is all it takes to whip it up. Pour it over the tenderloins and roast to just the right doneness.
Garlic Bread Pinwheels
One of the best ways to serve garlic bread for a large gathering may just be these garlic bread pinwheels. Stuffed with mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic and store-bought pesto, each pinwheel is bursting with flavor and ready to pair with pasta or roast meat. A can of prepared crescent dough keeps the prep work light, unless you prefer to whip up your own pastry.
Butternut Squash-Stuffed Shells
A cheesy tray of stuffed shells gets an autumnal makeover in this fall-forward side dish. Roasted butternut squash is blended into a creamy béchamel sauce that surrounds tender cooked pasta shells stuffed with a spinach-ricotta mixture. After baking, this pasta bake travels well in a heat-safe casserole carrier and can be reheated for a few moments before serving, if needed.
Pan-Fried Onion Dip
Nobody can withstand the appeal of the creamy onion dip, especially when it’s placed next to a heaping bowl of potato chips or a large tray of crisp crudités. The onions take a little time to caramelize to their ideal texture, but after that the rest of the tip takes just a minute to whip up with an electric mixer. Don’t skip the pinch of cayenne pepper, which gives the dip a subtle zing.
Raspberry Cheesecake
Drop this stunning dessert on the potluck table and watch as hungry eyeballs consider bending the rules and taking a slice as an appetizer. The crisp graham cracker crust pairs perfectly with the delicately lemon-scented cream cheese filling. A final topping of jammy raspberries seals the deal with a beautiful color contrast.
