15 Potluck Mains and Sides to Make You the Star of the Party (Without Even Trying)

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Potluck parties are always a blast, but the pressure to bring a show-stopping dish can be real. Fret not, because these 20 potluck mains will make you the star of the party without breaking a sweat. From crowd-pleasing casseroles to side dishes nobody tires of, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.

Hearty Penna Dutch (Amish) Potato Salad

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A bowl of potato salad with black pepper, potato chunks, and celery.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Savor the rich flavors of traditional Penna Dutch Potato Salad, a beloved Amish recipe that’s a staple at any gathering. This creamy, crunchy delight is elevated by a distinctive hot dressing, making it a refreshing summer side that’s both familiar and unique. It’s the perfect companion for barbecues, picnics, and all your warm-weather celebrations!

Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad

Tender Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot

A hand holding two skewered meatballs covered in a red sauce.
Photo Credit: The Typical Mom.

These tender meatballs simmered in a crockpot are a potluck hero. With minimal prep, you get juicy meatballs swimming in a rich marinara sauce. It’s an easy main dish that guarantees everyone will come back for more.
Get the Recipe: Tender Frozen Meatballs in Crockpot

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Legs

Chicken piled on a platter.
Image Credit: mypointofview

Enjoy grilled chicken thighs and legs, marinated for optimal flavor and finished with a scrumptious sauce. This recipe is a must for any grilling enthusiast looking to wow their taste buds!

GET THE RECIPE: Grilled Chicken Thighs and Legs

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

A wooden spoon lifting a portion of creamy, baked macaroni and cheese with melted cheese on top.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

This baked macaroni and cheese is a potluck favorite. Its creamy, cheesy goodness topped with crispy breadcrumbs makes it an irresistible main dish. Everyone will be asking for seconds of this comfort food classic.
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Pork Burgers

A juicy pork burger on a bun with lettuce and onions.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

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GET THE RECIPE: Pork Burgers

Perfectly Perfect Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks cooking on a grill.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Keep your gas grill in action all year with these perfectly barbecued chicken drumsticks. The key to their success? A thorough brining process before they hit the grill, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful.

GET THE RECIPE: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A mixed salad featuring penne pasta, lettuce, croutons, grilled chicken pieces, and slices of cheese.
Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

This chicken Caesar pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful potluck main. Combining the classic Caesar salad with pasta makes it a hearty dish. It’s quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time. The blend of flavors is sure to be a hit. This dish will make you the star of the party effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Gluten-Free Hash Brown Casserole (Dairy-Free)

A baked casserole dish topped with crispy cornflakes, revealing a creamy interior.
Photo Credit: Dish by Dish.

This gluten-free hash brown casserole is a hearty and delicious potluck main. The crispy hash browns and savory filling make it a crowd favorite. Easy to prepare and accommodating dietary needs, it’s perfect for any gathering. The flavors blend beautifully, making it an irresistible option. This dish will make you the star of the party without even trying.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Hash Brown Casserole (Dairy-Free)

Freezer Lasagna Recipe

A slice of lasagna with melted cheese, layers of pasta, meat, and tomato sauce, garnished with chopped parsley.
Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

Make your potluck prep a breeze with this freezer lasagna. Packed with layers of meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella, it bakes up beautifully straight from the freezer. This main dish is both convenient and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Freezer Lasagna Recipe

Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

Creamy macaroni and cheese topped with diced red and green peppers in a white dish.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

A creamy and crowd-pleasing Pickle Macaroni Salad is sure to delight both kids and adults alike. I’m loving the sweet and tangy flavor that sweet pickle relish adds, but I also know that a dill-icious version, packed with fresh dill and dill relish, is an equally amazing option. Either way, this kid-friendly side dish is sure to become a new summer staple!

Get The Recipe: Pickle Macaroni Salad

Creamy Burrito Casserole

A serving of baked casserole with melted cheese, black beans, ground meat, and chopped vegetables is being lifted from a white baking dish using a metal spatula.
Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

This creamy burrito casserole is a potluck main dish that combines all your favorite burrito flavors. With layers of seasoned beef, beans, and cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Just bake and watch it disappear from the serving table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Burrito Casserole

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern Corn Pudding is farm to table fare, accompanying everything from grilled steak to the Thanksgiving dinner turkey! Baked until gorgeously golden brown, spoonsful of ‘creamy corn pudding bliss’ grace the dinner table in this classic southern dish. If serving as part of a holiday meal, it compliments everything from holiday ham and turkey to a green bean casserole!

GET THE RECIPE: Corn Casserole

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

Fritos corn chips smothered in chili with jalapeños and chopped tomatoes.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Looking for an easy and crowd-pleasing recipe for your next gathering? Look no further than Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili! This dish is a delicious way to use America’s favorite snacking chip, taking it from the school lunchbox to the party table! With hearty chili con carne, it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. And the best part? It’s easily doubled or even tripled to feed even the largest of crowds. So next time you’re planning a party or tailgate, give this recipe a try and watch your guests dig in!

GET THE RECIPE: Frito Pie

Grilled Chicken Salad

Grilled chicken slices, avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and lemon slices drizzled with dressing.
Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum.

This grilled chicken salad is a fresh and healthy potluck main dish. Juicy, seasoned chicken breast on a bed of crisp greens with a tangy vinaigrette is both light and satisfying. It’s perfect for those looking for a lighter option.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and red onion rings, seasoned with black pepper.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s renowned ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad is a game-changer! This exceptional recipe showcases the sweetness of summer tomatoes in a way that’s both elegant and effortless. Once I tried this masterpiece, I knew my search for the ultimate tomato salad was over!

Get The Recipe: Tomato Salad

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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