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    Home » Cheap dinner ideas

    26 Cheap and Cheerful Potluck Recipes for Any Gathering

    Published: Oct 31, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    These 26 potluck recipes are budget-friendly and perfect for any gathering. From hearty salads to savory casseroles, each dish is easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, these options will help you bring something delicious to the table without breaking the bank. We know we all have different budgets, so here you'll find options from super cheap, to quite afforadble.

    Frito Taco Bake

    Frito Taco Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Frito Taco Bake combines seasoned ground beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy Fritos for a delicious meal. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends when you want something easy and satisfying. It's a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

    Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This casserole brings together the classic taste of a bacon burger and pasta, creating a filling dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's cheesy and satisfying, making it a hit even with picky eaters. Perfect for gatherings, this recipe is sure to please a crowd.

    Get the Recipe

    Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole

    Beefy Green Bean Casserole with Tater Tots.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This dish is a filling mix of hamburger, green beans, and your choice of potatoes. It's perfect for potlucks and can be made ahead of time to save you some effort. Enjoy a comforting meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole is a simple one-pot meal that's perfect for any gathering. Instead of tortillas, it uses rice to create a delicious Mexican-inspired dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's a great option when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Broccoli Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Broccoli Chicken Pasta Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Healthy Fitness Meals.

    Broccoli Chicken Pasta Casserole is a great option for a weeknight dinner. It's hearty, cheesy, and packed with vegetables and tender chicken, creating a simple and enjoyable meal that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

    Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Salted brown butter Rice Krispie treats put a tasty twist on the classic marshmallow cereal bars. By using browned butter, these treats gain a rich, nutty flavor that adds a touch of caramel sweetness. The warm, buttery scent pairs perfectly with the gooey marshmallows, making these bars a delightful treat for any occasion.

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    Texas Pasta

    Texas Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

    This Texas Pasta dish is an easy and delicious choice for dinner. It features lean ground beef, flavorful tomato sauce, and lots of cheese, making it a hit with everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for potlucks or a simple weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

    Zesty Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Wooden Skillet.

    Bringing a side dish to a backyard cookout or potluck is easy with this Italian Pasta Salad. It's a flavorful mix that everyone will enjoy, making it a great choice for gatherings. This dish has been a favorite for years, and it's sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

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    Taco Ring

    Taco Ring.
    Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    The Taco Crescent Ring is a fun and tasty twist on traditional tacos. It's simple to prepare and works well for a quick weeknight meal, a snack for gatherings, or a dish to bring to a potluck. This dish combines the flavors of tacos in a unique way that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Butternut Squash Apple Cake

    Butternut Squash Apple Cake.
    Photo Credit: Refresh My Health.

    This butternut squash and apple cake is a fantastic option for a quick and healthy snack that you can prepare in advance. It's perfect for those busy days when you need something tasty and nutritious on hand. With its blend of flavors, this cake is sure to be a hit at any potluck.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole is a family favorite that brings the delicious flavors of chicken fajitas right to your dinner table with minimal effort. It combines protein-rich Mexican black beans and quinoa, and you don't even have to cook anything beforehand. Just mix everything together in the baking dish and pop it in the oven. It's a tasty and straightforward meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    California Spaghetti Salad

    California Spaghetti Salad.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    California Spaghetti Salad is a bright and refreshing dish that combines fresh vegetables with tender broken spaghetti noodles. Tossed in a simple homemade Italian dressing, this salad is easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings. It's a great option for potlucks, offering a tasty and colorful addition to any meal.

    Get the Recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is hands down one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!

    Get the recipe

    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant moussaka.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef or lamb, all covered in a generous layer of cheese. This recipe skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, which keeps it true to its Mediterranean roots. It's a healthy and tasty option that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    French Potato Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy homemade potato salad is a great option for gatherings. It's made without mayo, eggs, or dairy, using a creamy Dijon mustard dressing instead. This recipe is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, making it a perfect choice for everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These mashed potatoes are simple and delicious, made with just potatoes and plenty of butter. Ready in under 30 minutes, they're a great side dish that you might find hard to share. Perfect for any meal, these creamy potatoes will quickly become a favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Shepherd's Pie

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is a great way to enjoy a classic comfort food that everyone in the family will appreciate. It features ground beef, carrots, peas, and some other everyday ingredients, all topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. It's simple to prepare and is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

    Get the Recipe

    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed potato casserole.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is creamy and cheesy, perfect for any gathering. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, making it a great choice for busy days. You can even make it ahead of time, so it's ready when you need it.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

    Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole is simple to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners. It's creamy and filling, packed with familiar flavors that everyone in the family will enjoy. This dish is a great option when you need something quick and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Caulislaw combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's a great side dish for barbecues and can even be used as a topping for burgers. This dish is quick to prepare, healthy, and low in carbs, making it a go-to option for many meals.

    Get the recipe

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta all in one pan. It's baked in a creamy blend of marinara sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, and gooey cheese. This is a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Taco Pasta Salad

    Taco Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This vegetarian Taco Pasta Salad is a great side dish for potlucks and barbecues. It's tossed in a zesty chili-lime yogurt sauce and packed with black beans, cheese, and fresh veggies. Everyone will enjoy this tasty addition to the meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    This lasagna is super simple to make. It has layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two kinds of cheese, all coming together in one pot. It's a great option when you need a quick meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple dish that you can prepare all in one go in the oven, even the pasta cooks right there. It features frozen meatballs, gooey mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your choice of marinara sauce. This is a great option for potlucks or gatherings, as it's easy to make and sure to please a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Dip

    Buffalo Chicken Dip.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Buffalo Chicken Dip is a popular choice for gatherings and parties. It combines tender shredded chicken with creamy ranch dressing, cream cheese, spicy hot sauce, and plenty of cheese. This simple and tasty dip is baked until it's warm and bubbly, making it perfect for scooping up with chips or veggies.

    Get the Recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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