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17 Potluck Dishes That Will Make You the Star of the Party

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Bring the perfect dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe. These potluck ideas are made to travel well and please a big crowd. They include main dishes, hearty sides, and sweet desserts that are all simple to make. You’ll be the star of the party with food that looks and tastes amazing.

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Chicago-Style Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Four Italian beef sandwiches topped with sliced peppers are on a serving tray. A bowl of au jus sauce and a small dish of red pepper flakes are beside the sandwiches. A beige cloth napkin is partially visible on the right.
Chicago-Style Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches. Photo by An Edible Mosaic

Thin sliced beef simmers in broth all day until it’s fall-apart tender. Chicago-Style Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches are perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Get the recipe: Chicago-Style Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros)

A blue and white ceramic bowl filled with a hearty Frijoles Charros stew topped with sliced jalapeños is placed on a wooden surface. Fresh cilantro is visible to the side, and a spoon rests nearby, making it one of the most irresistible bacon recipes for any meal.
Frijoles Charros. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This is a savory Mexican bean stew cooked with bacon and sausage. Charro Beans, or Frijoles Charros, is a flavorful and satisfying side dish.
Get Recipe: Frijoles Charros

Durango Burritos

Two Durango Burritos next to salsa verde and lime wedges.
Durango Burritos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These burritos are filled with seasoned beef and a tangy green salsa. Durango Burritos are a flavorful and portable meal for any party.
Get the recipe: Durango Burritos

Esquites (Mexican Corn in a Cup)

Two glasses of esquites, a Mexican street corn dish, on a wooden board. The glasses are filled with corn kernels, lime, crumbled cheese, and topped with chili powder and sauce. A spoon is placed beside one glass.
Elote en Vaso. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is Mexican street corn served off the cob in a cup with creamy toppings. Esquites is a fun, creamy, and spicy side dish for parties.
Get the Recipe: Elote en Vaso

Crock Pot Lasagna

A close-up of a slice of lasagna on a beige plate. The layers include pasta, red tomato sauce, ground meat, and melted cheese, garnished with fresh cilantro. The lasagna is rich and juicy, with visible chunks of tomatoes and herbs.
Crock Pot Lasagna. Photo by I Heart Eating

Layers of noodles, meat, and cheese cook together right in your slow cooker. Crock Pot Lasagna is an easy, hands-off main dish for a potluck.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Lasagna

Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad)

Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad) in a large white serving dish.
Ensalada de Camaron. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a fresh Mexican shrimp salad with vegetables and a creamy dressing. Ensalada de Camaron is a light, impressive, and easy-to-make party dish.
Get the recipe: Ensalada de Camaron

Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, mushrooms, leafy greens, and grated cheese. The salad is garnished with fresh basil leaves and served on a light-colored plate with a green cloth nearby.
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo by The Forked Spoon

This simple salad mixes pasta with pesto, fresh vegetables, and cheese. The Easy Pesto Pasta Salad is a cool and flavorful side dish for any gathering.
Get the recipe: Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

Birria Burrito

A birria burrito cut in half next to consomme.
Birria Burrito. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These burritos are filled with tender, spiced beef that cooks for hours. A Birria Burrito is a hearty and delicious handheld meal everyone will love.
Get the recipe: Birria Burrito

Ensalada de Coditos (Elbow Pasta Salad)

A ceramic bowl filled with creamy Mexican pasta salad, featuring elbow macaroni, diced ham, green onions, corn, peas, and carrots, sits on a wooden table. A fork is partially visible in the background.
Ensalada de Coditos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This creamy Mexican pasta salad is made with elbow macaroni and veggies. Ensalada de Coditos is a cool, tasty, and very easy side to make.
Get the Recipe: Ensalada de Coditos

Mango Pico de Gallo

Mango Pico de Gallo served in a red clay bowl.
Mango Pico de Gallo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This fresh salsa mixes sweet mango with tomato, onion, and cilantro. Mango Pico de Gallo is a bright and fruity dip or topping for chips.
Get the recipe: Mango Pico de Gallo

Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe

A fresh Greek salad on a white plate with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, olives, and feta cheese. A fork rests on the plate, surrounded by herbs, pita bread, and a floral tiled surface.
Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe. Photo by An Edible Mosaic

This salad mixes beans, feta cheese, olives, and fresh herbs in a lemony dressing. The Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe is a healthy and flavorful side.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe

Frijoles Puercos

A hand dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of frijoles puercos.
Frijoles Puercos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This is a rich, cheesy, and spicy refried bean dip. Frijoles Puercos is a warm and delicious appetizer that’s perfect for sharing.
Get Recipe: Frijoles Puercos

Amazing Veggie Lasagna

A slice of vegetable lasagna with layers of pasta, tomato sauce, cheese, and vegetables is served on a white plate. A fork rests on the plate, and there are basil leaves and a mushroom nearby.
Veggie Lasagna. Photo by Noshing with the Nolands

This meatless lasagna is packed with layers of colorful vegetables and cheese. Amazing Veggie Lasagna is a hearty and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.
Get the recipe: Amazing Veggie Lasagna

Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

A dish of bowtie pasta mixed with sliced mushrooms, creamy sauce, and garnished with fresh herbs is presented in a white bowl. A serving spoon rests inside, ready to serve. The table surface is wooden.
Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta. Photo by Dizzy Busy and Hungry

This pasta dish combines sautéed mushrooms and spinach in a creamy sauce. Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta is a rich and delicious vegetarian option.
Get the recipe: Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe without Wine

A bowl of hearty beef stew with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, peas, and celery in a rich broth. A spoon rests in the bowl, and slices of bread are on the side. A small dish of salt is nearby on a light cloth.
Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe without Wine. Sweet Tea and Thyme

This hearty stew has tender beef and vegetables in a savory broth. Dutch Oven Beef Stew is a comforting and filling main dish for a crowd.
Get the recipe: Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe without Wine

Berry salad with a lemon poppy seed dressing

A vibrant salad featuring sliced strawberries, blackberries, crumbled cheese, and fresh mint leaves. The ingredients are drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with cracked black pepper.
Berry salad with a lemon poppy seed dressing. Photo by Easy and Delish

This fresh salad mixes different berries with a sweet lemon poppy seed dressing. Berry salad with a lemon poppy seed dressing is a light, healthy, and colorful side.
Get the recipe: Berry salad with a lemon poppy seed dressing

Best No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Lasagna

A slice of peanut butter chocolate lasagna on a white plate, featuring layers of creamy chocolate and white filling, topped with crumbled peanut butter cookies. The full dish is in the background with more cookies on the table.
Best No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Lasagna. Photo by Moore or Less Cooking

This dessert layers peanut butter cookies with chocolate pudding and whipped topping. The Best No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Lasagna is a decadent, easy treat.
Get the recipe: Best No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Lasagna

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