17 Old-School Potluck Dishes That Always Get Wiped Out First

Potlucks may change with the times, but the classics are always the first to vanish from the table. These old-school dishes bring comfort, nostalgia, and flavors everyone actually wants a second helping of. With simple prep and crowd-pleasing taste, they take the stress out of “what to bring” and guarantee you’ll head home with an empty dish.

Stuffed Meatloaf

Stuffed meatloaf takes the classic family favorite and makes it potluck-ready with a cheesy surprise inside. Juicy beef wrapped around melted cheese and topped with a tangy BBQ glaze bakes into a hearty dish that slices beautifully. It’s comforting, filling, and the sort of crowd-pleaser that disappears fast from any buffet table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Meatloaf

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli casserole transforms simple vegetables into a creamy, cheesy bake topped with buttery cracker crumbs. It’s a retro recipe that always shows up at potlucks and always ends up scraped clean. Easy to prep and loaded with nostalgic flavor, it’s a dish that wins over even the veggie skeptics.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and packed with just enough garlic to make them stand out among a spread of sides. They’re simple to scale up for a crowd, making them a go-to dish for big gatherings and family potlucks. Comforting, familiar, and always the first to be scooped up, they’re a classic everyone piles onto their plate.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow cooker beef stew delivers tender chunks of beef and hearty vegetables simmered in a rich broth that tastes like it’s been bubbling all day. With minimal prep, you end up with a big batch that’s perfect for sharing at gatherings. Ladle it into bowls and watch how quickly it warms everyone up.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and artichoke dip made in the slow cooker comes out bubbling hot, creamy, and full of cheesy goodness. With almost no effort, you end up with the dip everyone huddles around until it’s scraped clean. It’s a guaranteed potluck hit that always disappears first from the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

Slow cooker marry me chicken lives up to its name with juicy chicken simmered in a creamy garlic and tomato sauce that feels indulgent. It’s quick to prep, feeds a crowd, and always gets requests for the recipe. Perfect for potlucks, it’s rich, comforting, and one bite will have everyone saying “yes, please.”
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Parmesan roasted green beans add a crispy, cheesy twist to a humble bag of frozen veggies. Roasting brings out their flavor while the Parmesan crust makes them feel special enough for a holiday spread. Simple, colorful, and packed with taste, they’re the side dish everyone scoops onto their plate.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Slow cooker Italian beef delivers tender, shredded meat that’s been simmering all day in peppers, spices, and broth. Served piled high on rolls or eaten straight from the plate, it’s hearty enough to count as a main dish at any potluck. Rich, flavorful, and hands-off to make, it’s an old-school favorite that always has people coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Avocado Salad

Avocado salad brings creamy avocados, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers together in a way that feels refreshing but still filling. Tossed with a simple homemade dressing, it’s colorful, flavorful, and just the right side to brighten up a potluck table. Easy to prep and loved by everyone, it disappears almost as fast as you set it down.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Salad

Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey-glazed carrots bring color and shine to a potluck table, with their sweet and savory glaze catching the light and tempting forks. Butter, garlic, and honey coat the tender carrots in a flavor combination that feels both simple and special. They’re simple to make but give the impression of extra effort, making them a reliable side that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Italian Salad

Italian salad packs crunch, creaminess, and bold tang into every forkful, making it much more than just another bowl of greens. The chopped veggies, savory extras, and creamy-tangy dressing make it irresistible at a potluck spread. It’s one of those salads that balances out all the heavy dishes but still gets wiped out first.
Get the Recipe: Italian Salad

Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes crisp up beautifully in the oven, with golden edges and fluffy centers that make them irresistible. A cheesy coating takes them over the top, especially when served with a cool dip like sour cream. Easy to prepare in big batches, they’re the kind of addictive side dish that rarely makes it past the first round of servings.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Carrot Raisin Salad

Carrot raisin salad mixes shredded carrots with juicy raisins in a creamy-sweet dressing that tastes nostalgic in the best way. It takes only minutes to make, but the crunchy, refreshing bite is exactly what people pile onto their plates at potlucks. It’s a throwback side that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Raisin Salad

Bruschetta al Pomodoro

Bruschetta al pomodoro layers ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic on top of crispy bread for a fresh bite that feels simple yet special. It’s quick to assemble but always looks impressive on a party table. Light, flavorful, and endlessly snackable, it’s usually gone before the main dishes even get started.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta al Pomodoro

Rump Roast

Rump roast may feel old-fashioned, but it’s one of those hearty dishes that everyone remembers fondly and still loves to eat. Slow-cooked until tender and infused with herbs, it’s flavorful and filling, making it perfect for feeding a crowd. Slice it up at a potluck and watch as it vanishes piece by piece.
Get the Recipe: Rump Roast

Deviled Eggs without Mayo

Deviled eggs without mayo get their creaminess from avocado and sour cream, with lemon, parsley, and paprika adding bright, flavorful kicks. They’re light, filling, and a fun twist on a retro favorite that always shows up at gatherings. Put a platter of these out and don’t expect them to last long.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs without Mayo

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Pot roast has been a potluck staple for generations, and for good reason, it’s hearty, comforting, and feeds plenty. The beef turns tender, the veggies soak up all the flavor, and the gravy ties it together into a meal people flock to. Thanks to the slow cooker, you can bring this vintage favorite without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast