30 Best Church Potluck Recipes That Are All Deserving of Praise
The whole congregation will keep coming back for more!
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
For those who love attending and eating at them, "church potluck" could be considered its own food group—at least according to Ree Drummond. "There's nothing like two nine-foot tables arranged end to end, and completely covered with a mélange of casseroles, green bean dishes, salads, cakes, and homemade pies to give you renewed appreciation for churchgoing women," she says. She's been attending these potlucks for years and years, and the classic comfort food dishes that are served never get old. In fact, they’re downright heavenly!
Whether it's a platter of deviled eggs or an angelic ambrosia salad, the church potluck ideas ahead will have everyone asking for the recipe. Many of these dishes come from Ree's own church potluck experiences and have been passed down for generations, like the sugar cookie recipe that was given to her by a beloved member of her small-town church or the layered salad that her late mother-in-law used to bring to every potluck.
Of course, these church potluck recipes are all meant for sharing so you’ll find plenty of big batch sheet cakes and comforting casserole dishes that are easy to pack up and take on the go. If you're in a hurry, there's even a ten-minute taco dip so you don't show up empty handed. Whether it’s a Christmas potluck, a post-service brunch, or just a Sunday night dinner, the whole congregation will appreciate these praiseworthy dishes.
Chicken Spaghetti
It wouldn't be a church potluck without casseroles and this one is sure to satisfy everyone in attendance! Even Ree's hubby Ladd loves the creamy, hearty dish.
Get Ree's Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
Deviled Eggs
If you ask the Drummonds, no get-together would be complete without deviled eggs. This recipe is simple, but you can also use it as a basis for other deviled egg garnishes.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Sometimes referred to as funeral potatoes, this potato side dish is meant to comfort you. With the bubbling cheese and crispy breadcrumbs on top, it's like a warm hug.
Get the Cheesy Potato Casserole recipe.
Taco Dip
There needs to be at least one dip or two at a church potluck for easy snacking. And nothing is easier or as crowd-pleasing as taco dip. It takes just ten minutes to throw together.
Get the Taco Dip recipe.
Ree's Favorite Sugar Cookies
Ree says these melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies "always made church potlucks and Cookie Sundays a thing to remember." Share them with your own church potluck to start a new tradition.
Get Ree's Favorite Sugar Cookies recipe.
Macaroni Salad
If you're bringing a macaroni salad to the potluck, make sure it's the very best because people have opinions. Luckily, so does Ree, and this one is "simple, delicious, and what I think macaroni salad should be!"
Get Ree's Macaroni Salad recipe.
The Best Baked Beans Ever
Another very best version of a potluck staple that you can't go wrong with is Ree's go-to baked beans recipe. "They're sweet, tangy, smoky, saucy, and most importantly, topped with bacon," she says.
Get Ree's Best Baked Beans Ever recipe.
Jell-O Cake
If you're tasked with dessert, you don't have to make it hard on yourself. A poke cake that starts with a cake mix and a box of Jell-O will save the day.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese
This comforting family-favorite was Alex Drummond's church potluck pick back when she was in school. It's one of those dishes that'll make you feel like a kid again.
Get Ree's Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Peanut Butter Pie
Ree first tried this rich, decadent pie at a church potluck. It combines a chocolatey Oreo cookie crust with a 4-ingredient whipped peanut butter filling.
Get Ree's Peanut Butter Pie recipe.
Chicken Fried Chicken
Ah, fried chicken and gravy! Is there anything more comforting? This crispy, boneless chicken recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.
Green Bean Casserole
Skip the canned soup and try making this green bean casserole from scratch instead. It'll impress everyone with its cheesy pimento sauce and bits of bacon.
Get Ree's Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Watergate Salad
Admit it: You look forward to finding the non-salad salad that is made out of Jell-O on the potluck table. One scoop is all you need for that sweet wave of nostalgia to hit you.
Get the Watergate Salad recipe.
Cornbread Salad
Impress and feed everyone at the same time with this epic trifle. It has layers of jalapeño-cheddar cornbread, crunchy vegetables, buttery beans, salty bacon, and a smoky, creamy dressing.
Get the Cornbread Salad recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
There are tons of variations on potato salad recipes, but Ree considers this one to be the greatest! That's because it's fluffy, light, and packed with all those mix-ins that you know and love.
Get the Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Pimento Cheese
Ree's version of this Southern favorite is cheesy and smoky thanks to the addition of adobo sauce. Spread it on toast points or serve it up as a dip with veggie sticks or crackers.
Get Ree's Pimento Cheese recipe.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Bring your classic ham and cheese sliders into the modern day and age with this recipe that adds pickled jalapeño and honey to the mix. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
Strawberry Delight
This dessert has been making the rounds at church potlucks for good reason. With a graham cracker crust, luscious layered cream cheese filling, and glossy strawberry topping, it's easily one of the best no-bake desserts out there.
Get the Strawberry Delight recipe.
Broccoli Chicken Casserole
The combination of melted cheese and broccoli is always a hit. Add hearty chicken and buttery crackers and you have a casserole dish that's a total crowd-pleaser.
Get the Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe.
Crumb Cake
If coffee is being served, crumb cake is a must to go with it! This version has an equal crumb-to-cake ratio—the kind of math that's hard not to love.
Get the Crumb Cake recipe.
Hamburger Casserole
15 Chicken Casseroles for a Cozy Comfort Food
Chicken Crescent Roll-Ups
Summer Casseroles for When Schedules Get Crazy
