20 Delicious Potluck Side Dishes That'll Steal The Show

By

Kaitlyn Yarborough

Updated on July 27, 2024

Southern Living Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole ready to serve — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When it comes to any potluck, the side dishes can make all the difference between a ho-hum supper and a real crowd-pleasing feast. Like with homemade cornbread and sweet tea, there's no such thing as too much when it comes to your potluck side dishes. These easy-to-make and easy-to-take potluck sides deserve a spot at your next neighborhood, church, or family affair.

01 of 20

Old-School Squash Casserole

Old-School Squash Casserole — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Though fresh renditions come out every season, it's hard to beat this traditional recipe for squash casserole. The bright yellow squash, creamy sauce (made from cheese, mayonnaise, and eggs), and crunchy, buttery cracker topping keeps everyone coming for more. A no-skip part of preparing this dish is sautéing the squash until just tender to release its liquid, which prevents a watery casserole.

02 of 20

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad — Jennifer Davick

It's almost too easy to mix up this popular pasta salad, but the colorful ingredients—including broccoli and grapes—along with the tender farfalle pasta and tangy-sweet dressing makes for a potluck staple. Chill the base of the salad for 3 hours before serving to marinate the ingredients in the tangy dressing, then add the crunchy toppings of bacon and toasted pecans just before serving.

03 of 20

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Southern Living Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Why settle on just one fresh vegetable when you can have all three? This summertime trio of zucchini, squash, and corn—bound together with a cheesy, creamy filling—deserves a spot at any supper. Day-old sandwich bread pulsed into breadcrumbs serves both as a binder and crunchy topping.

04 of 20

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes — Beth Dreiling Hontzas

This lavishly rich casserole gets scraped clean at every family supper, potluck, or holiday. For a slight twist, try Gruyère cheese instead of Parmesan. These creamy, cheesy potatoes are done baking in under an hour when the top is bubbly and golden brown.

05 of 20

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese — Hector Sanchez

As we all know, pimiento cheese tastes good with just about anything. Why not incorporate it into a delicious macaroni and cheese recipe for a flavorful twist? Our thoughts exactly. And for amazing texture, after the ingredients are prepared on the stovetop, sprinkle with a buttery panko breadcrumb topping and broil a few minutes until golden brown and crispy.

06 of 20

Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole — Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

An old-school broccoli casserole is a longtime pillar of the Southern supper, and we especially adore this tasty version with fresh broccoli and mushrooms—and without even a dollop of creamy canned soup. Sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise provide the cheesy creaminess to this veggie casserole that is sure to be kid-pleasing. We also love a crunchy topping, buttery panko breadcrumbs top the dish at the end and then boiled until golden brown.

07 of 20

Tee's Corn Pudding

50 Best Thanksgiving Tee's Corn Pudding — Jennifer Davick

With only eight ingredients and very little hands-on time, this classic corn pudding recipe is a busy cook's dream. Fresh corn can be substituted with frozen whole kernel corn or canned shoepeg corn.

08 of 20

Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Old-School Green Bean Casserole — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

When you don't know what to bake and take, you can always make green bean casserole. The traditional Southern side dish doesn't disappoint with its epic creaminess and French fried onion topping. Skip the cream of mushroom soup, this made-from-scratch version is creamy and savory, and it can be assembled up to 3 days ahead before baking.

09 of 20

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans — Greg DuPree

When you think the potluck could use a cool side dish, this crisp, fresh salad of shaved Brussels sprouts, Honeycrisp apples, Parmesan cheese, and toasted pecans will become an easy crowd-pleaser. The light dressing on this slaw is made with lemon, olive oil, and a touch of honey for sweetness. With the crunch of coleslaw and the heartiness of a kale salad, this side dish has something for everyone.

10 of 20

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese — Beth Dreiling Hontzas

There's no occasion when a melty, creamy dish of macaroni and cheese won't be heartily appreciated—and this classic recipe will feed a hungry Southern crowd without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Even better, this comfort food comes together in under an hour and with just three easy-to-follow steps. For the best results: grate your own cheese, which melts better than pre-shredded; cook the pasta al dente to prevent mushiness; and warm the milk to avoid clumps in the sauce.

11 of 20

Creamy Lima Beans

Creamy Lima Beans — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Add something green to the buffet of side dishes that’s a Southern classic with a twist. Lima beans, bacon, thyme, and cream combine to create complex flavors in just half an hour. This year-round dish is delicious served with warm cornbread.

12 of 20

Southern-Style Potato Salad

_Southern-Style Potato Salad — Southern Living

Packed with onions, celery, sour cream, and bacon, this classic Southern side dish is sure to send your taste buds on a ride. Any potluck gets a bonus point for having this essential salad on the lineup. For the perfect texture, let the potatoes cool before mixing with the other ingredients.

13 of 20

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up — Hector Sanchez

This layer-free, super easy tamale pie makes the perfect quick-fix dish to bring to the potluck. It's packed with a filling of ground beef, cornmeal, tomato sauce, and corn that gets finished with a layer of gooey cheese—for a more filling side dish that'll be appreciated at a crowded occasion. Top with sour cream and a fresh chopped cilantro and enjoy with a big green salad on the side.

14 of 20

Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

Ben Mim's Perfect Cornbread Recipe — Brian Woodcock

Browned butter gives this cornbread its "perfect" title. Southern spreads can always use a few full dishes of this classic comfort food. Stir in browned butter into the batter before it gets added to a hot cast-iron skillet, which creates a thick crust around the edges. There's no sugar in this batter, so it can go savory or sweet with a variety of accompaniments.

15 of 20

Hot Potato Salad

Hot Potato Salad — Helen Norman; Styling: Carrie Purcell

This casserole exists as the perfect marriage of potato salad with a bubbly, cheesy gratin. The ingredients are few and no-nonsense, and the bacon gives an epic finishing touch. It’s a beloved family recipe that may give mashed potatoes some stiff competition.

16 of 20

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes — Emily Laurae/Southern Living

These sweet potatoes use just five ingredients and take about half an hour to pull together. This flexible recipe allows the mashed sweet potatoes to be sweeter or more savory with some simple swaps. For an even deeper sweetness and flavor, oven roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them.

17 of 20

Classic Coleslaw

Classic Coleslaw — Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This simple side dish is a staple at picnics and barbecues, and this recipe turns it up a notch. Green cabbage, carrots, and Vidalia onion are box-shredded and dressed in a creamy, tangy dressing of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. The green cabbage is mild, the carrots add sweetness, and the sweet Vidalia onion adds bite without being overpowering.

18 of 20

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes — Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist Julia Bayless

Sliced Yukon gold potatoes are smothered in a béchamel sauce, covered in cheese, and baked until golden brown. Why Yukon gold potatoes? There’s no need to peel them, and they stand up to baking without getting as mushy as russet potatoes would. To slice potatoes evenly and quickly, use a mandolin (with the hand guard for safety!).

19 of 20

Texas-Style Baked Beans

Texas-Style Baked Beans — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Make your side dish stand out by going big with Texas-style beans. These homemade beans are savory, smoky, spicy, and sweet. Made with pinto beans, they bake in a thick base made from Barbecue sauce, dark lager beer, bacon, brown sugar, aromatics, and seasonings.

20 of 20

Smoky Creamed Greens

Smoky creamed greens on white plate — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Collard greens and smoky bacon add a Southern spin on this classic side dish. Sturdy collards outweigh typical wilted spinach when cooked down and added to a heavy cream sauce with bacon. The drippings from the bacon make a wonderful base for the roux adding smokiness to the sauce made from cream and chicken broth.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

Barbecue Mac and Cheese

Barbecue Mac And Cheese

Southern Living Mac And Cheese With Ham

Mac And Cheese With Ham

Mac and Cheese

This Is The Best Cheese For Mac And Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

a bowl full of Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Southern LIving Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon ready to serve

Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon

Best Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

Best Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

Sloppy Joe Casserole - Southern Living

Sloppy Joe Casserole

southern living roasted broccoli macaroni and cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni And Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Southern Living Chicken Spaghetti Casserole in the dish to serve

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Southern Living Macaroni and Tomatoes in a bowl to serve

Macaroni And Tomatoes

Southern Living Macaroni Salad in a bowl to serve topped with scallions

Southern Living Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese

Southern Living Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onions in the baking dish to serve

Macaroni And Cheese With Caramelized Onions

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese

Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese