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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Savory Southern Staples That Are a Hit at Any Potluck

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 23, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Southern cooking is known for its rich flavors and comforting dishes that bring people together. At any potluck, you can count on these 22 savory staples to please the crowd and spark conversations. From classic casseroles to hearty sides, these recipes are sure to be a hit and make any gathering feel like home.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken casserole brings together the familiar taste of ranch seasoning with a creamy mac and cheese sauce, tender noodles, shredded rotisserie chicken, and crispy bacon. Everything is baked together to create a comforting dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's perfect for a cozy weeknight meal.

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    Easy Cornbread Salad

    Cornbread Salad.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Cornbread salad features tasty layers of crumbled cornbread, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, cheese, and a zesty salsa ranch dressing. This classic Southern dish adds a fun twist to any potluck gathering. It's a great way to bring some flavor to the table and is sure to be a hit with everyone.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a great way to enjoy tender, smoky pulled pork without needing a smoker. Using a slow cooker makes it easy to prepare, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.

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    Slow Cooker Braised Beef Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker Braised Beef Short Ribs Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This braised beef short ribs recipe is simple and quick, needing just 20 minutes of prep before they go into the crock pot. Once cooked, the ribs turn out incredibly juicy and tender, practically falling off the bone. It's a great dish to bring to a potluck, sure to please everyone at the table.

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    White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This dish is all about comfort and warmth. It's creamy, rich, and packed with cheesy goodness that everyone loves. Plus, it holds up well when reheated, making it a great choice for gatherings.

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    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for your next barbecue. Using store-bought mayonnaise and ranch dressing, it’s super easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It’s a great side dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crispy Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese from a casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This mac and cheese is a comforting dish that's creamy and cheesy, with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. The rich cheese sauce clings to each noodle, creating a satisfying meal. It's perfect for gatherings or just a cozy night in.

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    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs are incredibly tender and packed with flavor. They’re easy to make, needing only a bit of effort for a meal that everyone will love. Just set them up in the morning, and by dinner, you’ll have lamb ribs that are so soft they almost fall off the bone.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is simple to prepare and perfect for gatherings. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can create a delicious dish all in one pan. This version combines Cheddar and Gruyere for a rich and cheesy flavor that everyone will enjoy.

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    Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls with Buffalo Ranch

    Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls with Buffalo Ranch
    Photo Credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This is a great dish to bring to a potluck or share with friends. It's perfect for gatherings and is sure to please a crowd. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, it fits right in at any Southern get-together.

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    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with steak, barbecue, or anything buffalo-flavored. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s packed with rich blue cheese flavor and balanced seasoning. This coleslaw is sure to become a go-to favorite for your meals.

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    Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk

    Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk.
    Photo Credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Traditional Southern-Style Cornbread is a simple dish that highlights the rich flavor of corn. Made with buttermilk and stone-ground cornmeal, it has a satisfying crunch on the outside. This cornbread is perfect for gatherings and pairs well with a variety of meals.

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    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are a tasty dish that really enhances the classic baked beans. Packed with beef, bacon, onions, bell peppers, and three types of beans, this meal is hearty and satisfying. The addition of a zesty BBQ sauce brings everything together, making it a great choice for gatherings or family dinners.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Everyone loves a good cajun flavor combination, and I love the ease of this casserole. It's a game changer that you can make without boiling the pasta, and you'll love the creamy sauce that forms as it bakes.

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    Southern Style Creamed Corn

    Southern Style Creamed Corn.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Southern Style Creamed Corn is a delicious side dish that stands out from the canned versions. Made with fresh sweet corn and rich cream, it brings a comforting touch to any meal. This dish is great for holiday gatherings, Sunday family dinners, or even just a regular weeknight dinner.

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    Southern Coleslaw

    Southern Coleslaw.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This Southern coleslaw is a crunchy and tangy side dish with a touch of sweetness. It's a great addition to summer gatherings, picnics, and barbecues. Whether you're serving it at a potluck or enjoying it at home, this coleslaw is sure to please everyone.

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    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Chenee Today.

    Creamy baked mac and cheese is a favorite at any gathering. This dish is a classic comfort food that everyone loves, perfect for Sunday dinners or holiday get-togethers. With a special twist in the recipe, it stands out from the usual mac and cheese. It's sure to be a hit at your next potluck.

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    Smoked Beef Brisket

    Smoked Beef Brisket.
    Photo Credit: Binky's Culinary Carnival.

    Smoked Beef Brisket is a delicious dish that's both juicy and tender, with just the right amount of chewiness. It's simpler to prepare than many people think, making it a great choice for gatherings. This dish is perfect for sharing at potlucks, bringing everyone together over a hearty meal.

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    Crockpot Mac and Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a creamy and comforting dish that's simple to prepare. Just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. There's no need to cook the pasta beforehand, making it a convenient option for any gathering.

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    Cajun Sausage Spaghetti

    Cajun Sausage Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Sanctuary.

    Cajun Sausage Spaghetti features smoky andouille sausage, soft pasta, and a creamy sauce that has a nice touch of spicy Cajun flavor. It's a quick meal that packs a lot of taste and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and soft buttermilk biscuit dumplings cooked in a creamy broth. It's a comforting meal that's easy to prepare, making it a great choice for busy nights when you want something filling. The warmth and flavor of this simple crockpot meal will surely bring everyone together.

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    Southwest chicken casserole.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    The Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines juicy chicken, zesty spices, and gooey melted cheese. It's all cooked in one pan, making it easy to prepare for a busy weeknight. With just a little prep work, you can enjoy a meal that's full of flavor and satisfying.

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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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