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    Home » Cheap dinner ideas

    30 Simple and Affordable Potluck Recipes That Are Perfect for Big Groups

    Published: Nov 6, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    These 30 potluck recipes are simple and budget-friendly, making them perfect for feeding a crowd. From hearty casseroles to lighter salads, each dish is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the gathering. And all recipes work great when multiplied, if you're cooking for a really large group! Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes will help you bring something delicious to the table.

    We know we all have different budgets, so here you'll find options from super cheap, to quite afforadble.

    Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

    Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is a hearty dish that brings together juicy chicken, crispy hash browns, creamy cheese, zesty jalapeños, and savory bacon. It's a great choice for a cozy meal that's full of flavor. This casserole is sure to please a crowd and is easy to prepare, making it ideal for gatherings.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian enchilada casserole is a delicious twist on lasagna, featuring layers of corn tortillas packed with black beans, corn, peppers, green chiles, and lots of cheese. It's a filling dish that's perfect for family dinners and sure to please everyone at the table. Top it off with some sour cream and fresh cilantro for an extra touch.

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    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

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a straightforward and cozy dish that works well for any evening. It combines rice, broccoli, and rotisserie chicken, all topped with cheddar cheese, creating a satisfying one-pan meal that everyone will love.

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    Classic Chicken Pot Pie with Homemade Biscuit Topping

    Classic Chicken Pot Pie with Homemade Biscuit Topping.
    Photo Credit: Peanut Butter & Julie.

    This dish combines a mix of fresh vegetables and juicy roasted chicken in a rich, creamy sauce, all topped with flaky buttermilk biscuits. It's a hearty meal that can easily feed the whole family, and you'll likely have plenty left over for delicious lunches the next day.

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    German Style Potato Salad

    German Style Potato Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    Warm German Potato Salad offers a unique twist that stands out from the usual versions. This recipe, inspired by my grandmother's cooking, leaves out the eggs, mayonnaise, and celery, and instead features crispy bacon, tangy mustard, and olives for a flavorful kick. Each bite is hearty and satisfying, perfect for any gathering.

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    Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

    Mexican Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    Mexican Tater Tot Casserole is a simple and tasty dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. It combines ground beef, peppers, and crispy tater tots, all covered with gooey melted cheese. This hearty meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Broccoli Casserole

    Broccli casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This broccoli casserole is a great choice for a quick and easy side dish that's also on the healthier side. It's perfect for potlucks or family gatherings, offering a tasty way to enjoy vegetables. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, this dish can be whipped up in no time.

    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

    Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

    Dill Pickle Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Maple + Mango.

    This pasta salad is a must-try for anyone who loves pickles. It's packed with crunchy pickles, sharp white cheddar, and fresh dill, all mixed together in a creamy dressing that really highlights the pickle flavor. Perfect for gatherings, this dish is sure to be a hit.

    Get the Recipe

    Cottage Pie

    Cottage Pie.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This recipe features a comforting beef and vegetable filling, all topped with a creamy mashed potato layer. It's a quick and easy dish that can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With some simple ingredients, this meal is sure to become a go-to favorite for family dinners.

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    Indian Chickpea Fritters

    Indian Chickpea Fritters.
    Photo Credit: Earth to Veg.

    Crispy Indian Chickpea Fritters are a tasty snack that come from South Asian cooking. Known by various names like Ambode, Paruppu Vadai, and Masala Vada, these fritters are packed with flavorful spices. They're great for picnics, parties, potlucks, or just a quick bite anytime. Plus, they're naturally vegan, gluten-free, and high in protein.

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    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

    White Bean Antipasto Salad

    White Bean Antipasto Salad.
    Photo Credit: Spabettie.

    This salad is packed with vibrant flavors from fresh and tangy ingredients. It comes together in just a few minutes, making it a quick and easy option for any gathering.

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    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

    Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Cabbage Roll Casserole
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Yum.

    Cabbage roll casserole combines the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls but is much simpler to prepare. This dish features ground beef and tender cabbage, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. It's a great option for a healthy dinner that doesn't require a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the delicious flavors of enchiladas in a simple layered dish. It features corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and rich red enchilada sauce, all baked together for a comforting meal. It's a great option for potlucks or gatherings, offering a tasty and satisfying choice that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Hot Crab Dip

    Hot Crab Dip.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    Hot Crab Dip combines creamy cheese with lump crab meat and lots of cheddar cheese. It's super simple to prepare, which makes it a great choice for your next potluck. This dish is sure to be a hit and is perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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    Jalapeño Popper Phyllo Cups

    Jalapeño Popper Phyllo Cups.
    Photo Credit: A Wicked Whisk.

    Jalapeño Popper Phyllo Cups are a simple and cheesy appetizer that combines cream cheese, jalapeños, and bacon all wrapped in a crispy phyllo shell. These little bites are great for parties and game day gatherings. They offer a nice kick of flavor and are sure to be a hit with your guests.

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    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.

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    Air Fryer Potato Nibbles

    Potato Nibbles In Air Fryer.
    Photo Credit: Healing Tomato.

    These small potatoes are simple to prepare and use everyday ingredients. They soak up butter beautifully and have a soft, tender texture that everyone enjoys. Perfect for sharing at potlucks, they're a crowd-pleaser that won't break the bank.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders.
    Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders combine juicy chicken and crispy bacon with zesty ranch dressing for a delicious treat. This flavor mix is a favorite for a good reason - it's really enjoyable! All of this is piled onto soft Hawaiian bread, making for a fantastic chicken bacon ranch sandwich that everyone will love.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Make this hands-off meal with just 8 ingredients for a delicious dinner any night of the week. With soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms and crunchy pine nuts this is a flavorful dish that's sure to become a new favorite!

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    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole

    Cowboy Meatloaf Mashed Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    Cowboy Mashed Potato Meatloaf Casserole is a hearty dish that brings a bit of the Wild West to your dinner. It combines savory meatloaf with smooth mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and crispy bacon, all baked until golden and bubbly. This is a comforting meal that's perfect for gatherings or family dinners.

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    Bean and Barley Tabbouleh

    Bean and Barley Tabbouleh.
    Photo Credit: Vegan Huggs.

    Bean and Barley Tabbouleh is a colorful salad that adds a refreshing touch to any meal. It's light but filling, packed with crunchy vegetables, hearty barley, and flavorful herbs. This dish is great for gatherings or just a simple dinner at home.

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    Loaded Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Loaded chicken potato casserole.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This dish features tender chicken mixed with golden potato cubes, all topped with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a dash of green onion. It's a hearty option that brings together comforting flavors in a simple way. Perfect for gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd.

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    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

    Classic Southern Seven-Layer Salad

    Classic Southern Seven-Layer Salad.
    Photo Credit: Grits & Pinecones.

    Classic Southern Seven-Layer Salad is a great choice for spring and summer picnics or holiday get-togethers. This dish is not only easy to prepare ahead of time, but it also offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone enjoys. It's a crowd-pleaser that never fails to impress, making it a reliable option for any gathering.

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    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan Chicken Bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish that's packed with flavor. It combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach with pasta in a rich sauce made from coconut milk and cheese. This is a good dinner option for busy nights or a comforting meal on the weekend.

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    Chocolate Pumpkin Dump Cake

    Chocolate Pumpkin Dump Cake.
    Photo Credit: My Suburban Kitchen.

    This chocolate pumpkin dump cake is simple to make and really tasty, quickly becoming a favorite for pumpkin desserts. It combines the rich flavors of chocolate and pumpkin in a way that's hard to resist. Perfect for gatherings, this dessert is sure to impress without requiring much effort.

    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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