22 Best Church Potluck Dishes for Palm Sunday
Start Holy Week with these heavenly ideas.
The 40 days of Lent might culminate with Easter, but for many Christians, the Holy Week that precedes it is just as important. Palm Sunday is the beginning of that celebration, marking the day Jesus entered Jerusalem. Many denominations hold Sunday services with palm crosses and a potluck afterward. If you're attending one, you might be wondering just what type of church potluck recipes to bring for Palm Sunday. After all, it is still Lent, and depending on your church, you may want to observe certain traditions.
Of course, there are plenty of church potluck recipes that will work any time of year, like deviled eggs and funeral potatoes. (And could you picture any Southern church potluck without pimento cheese?) You may want to consider recipes for Lent like meatless meals and fish recipes, but that doesn't mean boring! Think of classic comfort food dishes like tuna noodle casserole that tick all the right boxes. You'll find plenty of similar casseroles that are easy to transport, serve, and feed a hungry crowd.
Also, keep in mind that congregants may have given up sweets for Lent. But since that's not always the case, there are a few tried-and-true church potluck desserts on this list to satisfy the pre-Easter Bunny sweet tooth. And if you attend a church with no restrictions, then consider trying out a few Easter-inspired recipes a week early! They'll hint at the amazing Easter dinner the following Sunday, which is an extra reason to celebrate this holiest of weeks.
Deviled Eggs
If it were up to Ree Drummond, deviled eggs would be front and center at every gathering. And at potlucks, they often are! Plus, eggs symbolize rebirth, which is why they are so popular around Easter.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
You might know these as funeral potatoes. With gooey cheese and a crispy breadcrumb topping, they will be a crowd-pleaser no matter what you call them. They travel well and pair with pretty much anything else at the table.
Get the Cheesy Potato Casserole recipe.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Looking forward to that Easter ham? Give everyone a preview with these ever-popular potluck staples. This recipe kicks it up a notch with pickled jalapeños and honey in the mix.
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
Pimento Cheese
All praise Ree's pimento cheese! Her version of the Southern favorite is a little smoky thanks to some adobo sauce. Serve it up with veggie sticks or crackers for dipping.
Get Ree's Pimento Cheese recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
Potato salad is a potluck must-have. Ree considers hers to be the greatest! It's fluffy, light, and packed with mix-ins like hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickles, green onions, and crispy bacon.
Get the Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Yes, that same casserole you know and love so well from childhood makes a perfect church potluck bake. It's pure, nostalgic comfort for a lot of people. And because it uses canned tuna, it is approved for Lent!
Get the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
Pig Cake
"This cake is a scrumptious potluck classic that I've seen (and eaten with enthusiasm) over and over throughout my life," says Ree. It whips up fast, too, thanks to boxed cake mix and a can of mandarin oranges.
Get Ree's Pig Cake recipe.
Layered Salad
Ree calls this a "potluck classic" that her mother-in-law made all the time. All the ingredients are layered into a bowl and sealed with a creamy dressing on top, which makes it easy to make ahead and transport.
Get Ree's Layered Salad recipe.
Macaroni Salad
If you're tasked with bringing macaroni salad, be sure to pick the very best recipe. Thankfully, Ree's is just that! It's "creamy but light, flavorful but not vinegary, and filled with crispy, crunchy, zingy bits for taste and texture."
Get Ree's Macaroni Salad recipe.
Pineapple Casserole
Anyone who gave up dessert for Lent will thank you for a little bite of sweetness. It may sound a little odd to mix pineapple with cheese, but trust the generations of Southern ladies before you on this one.
Get Ree's Pineapple Casserole recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Some salads can wilt when made in advance, but not this one! That's why it's so perfect for a potluck. It keeps crunchy for about three days in the fridge and features dried cranberries, sharp cheddar cheese, and smoked almonds.
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Ree's Favorite Sugar Cookies
A beloved member of Ree's church passed this recipe down to her. They're simple yet melt-in-your-mouth good, perfect to pair with a cup of coffee or tea after service.
Get Ree's Favorite Sugar Cookies recipe.
Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits
Get ready for a heavenly bite! These biscuits have light, airy layers that are even better after they're brushed with a melted ranch butter mixture. You can also turn them into sliders if you're feeling devilish.
Pea Salad
Take a bite out of Ree's childhood! "Despite all the other dishes competing for attention at Easter, the one I most remember was a delicious pea salad with big chunks of cheese, slivers of red onion, and a light, creamy dressing."
Get Ree's Pea Salad recipe.
Carrot Cake Bars
Craving carrot cake ahead of Easter Sunday? These bars taste just like it but are much easier to transport and serve for a crowd. There's even a swirl of cream cheese baked inside.
Get Ree's Carrot Cake Bars recipe.
The Best Baked Beans Ever
You really can't go wrong with Ree's favorite baked bean recipe. She says they're "sweet, tangy, smoky, and saucy." There is bacon baked in and layered on top, just so everyone at the potluck knows!
Get Ree's Best Baked Beans Ever recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese
Alex Drummond chose this as her favorite church potluck dish back when she was in school. Few would disagree with her! Plus, since it has no meat, everyone can enjoy a scoop.
Get Ree's Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Sweet Onion Casserole
If you've never had this Southern classic, get ready for your new favorite side dish! It features tender, sweet onions baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with a crunchy cracker crust for good measure.
Get the Sweet Onion Casserole recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna, peas, and pasta make quite a tasty trio when mixed with a creamy dressing. Chopped celery, onions, and red bell pepper add a fresh crunch to every bite. It's a great alternative to macaroni salad.
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Another sweet bite you can offer those who gave up dessert for Lent is this potluck classic. Give them a bite of marshmallow, coconut, and juicy citrus. Technically, it's a "salad" not a dessert, right? 😉
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
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