If you’re like me, you often find yourself scrambling to brainstorm ideas for potluck dishes at the last minute. Well, don’t worry, because I’ve got you covered! In this blog post, I will share delicious and easy potluck ideas that are perfect for when you’re in a hurry.

These recipes are easy to make, and most of them can be prepared in advance (cupcake ideas). So whether you’re looking for something savory or sweet, I’ve got you covered!

1. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This dish is so easy to make, and it’s always a hit! Simply combine chicken breasts, garlic, honey, soy sauce, and vegetable oil in a slow cooker. Set it on low and let it cook for about six hours.

When you’re ready to serve, shred the chicken and top it with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice or noodles. This dish is sure to please everyone at the potluck! Ingredients for slow cooker honey garlic chicken:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Garlic
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Vegetable oil
  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds

Tip:

Make it look extra special by garnishing with chopped fresh herbs, like cilantro or parsley. No one will be the wiser!

2. Vegetarian Chili – a healthy and hearty option

This chili is packed with veggies, and it’s so easy to make! Simply sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery in a large pot. Then add in black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and various spices.

Let the chili simmer for about 30 minutes. Then top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Ingredients for vegetarian chili:

  • Onions
  • Bell peppers
  • Celery
  • Black beans
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Spices (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper)
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions

Tip:

If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cooked frozen veggies. Just be sure to thaw them before adding them to the pot.

3. Spicy Thai Noodle Salad – An Asian-Inspired Dish

This dish is perfect for when you’re in the mood for something a little different and exotic. It’s also super easy to make! Simply cook the noodles according to package instructions.

Then, combine cooked noodles, shredded carrots, red bell peppers, cilantro, green onions, and peanuts in a large bowl. For the dressing, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and chili garlic sauce.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. This dish is best served cold or at room temperature. Ingredients for Spicy Thai Noodle Salad:

  • Noodles (lo mein, or rice noodles)
  • Shredded carrots
  • Red bell peppers
  • Cilantro
  • Green onions
  • Peanuts
  • Lime juice
  • Fish sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Chili garlic sauce

4. Cupcakes – A Go-to Potluck Dessert

 

Cupcakes are always a hit at potlucks! They’re easy to transport, and there’s usually a flavor and recipe for everyone. Plus, they can be made in advance. Simply bake the cupcakes according to recipe instructions.

Then, frost them with your favorite icing. I like to use a simple buttercream frosting, but you can use whatever you like. If you want to get really fancy, you can top the cupcakes with sprinkles or other decorations. Ingredients for Cupcakes:

  • Cake mix (or your favorite recipe)
  • Buttercream frosting (or your favorite flavor)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

5. A grazing table or charcuterie board – Arrange and Go!

 

Few potluck dishes are as easy or as impressive as a grazing table or charcuterie board. Simply arrange various meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and vegetables on a large platter or cutting board.

You can also add in some dips or spreads. Give people plenty of choices by using a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone! Ingredients for a grazing table or charcuterie board:

  • Meats (e.g., salami, prosciutto)
  • Cheeses (e.g., cheddar, brie, goat cheese)
  • Crackers
  • Fruits (e.g., grapes, berries, apples)
  • Vegetables (e.g., carrots, celery, peppers)
  • Dips or spreads (optional)

Tip:

An extra time-saving tip is to purchase pre-made grazing boards or platters from your local grocery store or specialty shop and make the dips or spreads from scratch. Check out how to create a grazing table for some ideas! 

6. Enchilada Casserole – Mexican-Inspired Goodness

This dish is perfect for when you’re in the mood for something hearty and comforting. Simply layer corn tortillas, shredded chicken, and enchilada sauce in a baking dish.

Top with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and green onions. Bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with sour cream and lime wedges, if desired. Ingredients for Enchilada Casserole:

  • Corn tortillas
  • Shredded chicken
  • Enchilada sauce
  • Shredded cheese
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Green onions
  • Sour cream (optional)
  • Lime wedges (optional)

Tip:

Rotisserie chicken will add more flavor to this dish and save you time. Just shred the chicken and add it to the casserole.

7. Stuffed Mushrooms – A Delicious Appetizer

Stuffed mushrooms are the perfect appetizer for a potluck. They’re easy to make and can be made in advance. Simply remove the stems from the mushrooms and stuff them with your favorite filling.

I like to use a mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheese, and chopped herbs. Then, bake the mushrooms until they’re hot and bubbly. Serve with a dipping sauce, if desired. Ingredients for Stuffed Mushrooms:

  • Mushrooms
  • Cream cheese
  • Shredded cheese
  • Chopped herbs (e.g., parsley, thyme, basil)
  • Dipping sauce (optional)

Tip: 

This dish is highly customizable. You can make it a pizza-flavored appetizer by mixing pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.

8. Chunky Velveeta Cheese Dip – A Party Favorite

Apart from our lactose-intolerant friends, who doesn’t love cheese dip? This dish is always a hit at parties. It’s creamy, cheesy, and can be made in just minutes.

Plus, it can be served with various dippers such as chips, crackers, pretzels, or veggies. The options are endless. Ingredients for Chunky Velveeta Cheese Dip:

  • Velveeta cheese
  • Milk
  • Dippers of your choice (e.g., chips, crackers, pretzels, veggies)
  • Black beans
  • Sausage
  • Rotel tomatoes

Instructions:

In a large pot, melt the Velveeta cheese over low heat. Stir in milk until well combined. Add black beans, sausage, and Rotel tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes or until heated through. Serve with dippers!

Tip:

This dish can be easily made in the microwave. Place the cheese and milk in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for two minutes or until the cheese is melted. Stir well and add the remaining ingredients. Heat for an additional minute or two and serve.

9. Crockpot Cheesy potatoes – An Easy Side Dish

A crockpot is always your friend when in doubt and with limited cooking skills. This dish only requires four ingredients and can be made in the crockpot with little to no effort.

Add frozen potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese, and minced onion to the crockpot and cook on low for six hours or until potatoes are tender. That’s it! So simple and delicious.

Ingredients for Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes:

  • Frozen potatoes (e.g., tater tots, diced potatoes)
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Shredded cheese (try cheddar, mozzarella, or Colby Jack)
  • Minced onion

Tip:

You can add other ingredients to this dish, such as crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, or sour cream.

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for six hours or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. If you’re in a hurry, you can cook this dish on high for three hours.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are tons of delicious and easy potluck ideas for when you’re in a hurry. So next time you’re asked to bring a dish to a potluck, don’t stress! Just choose one of these recipes, and you’ll be all set. Bon appetit!