17 Best Dishes at a Midwestern Potluck

1Cheesy Potato Casserole dishes at a midwestern potluck cheesy potatoes Will Dickey2Taco DipHector Manuel Sanchez

You can’t have a potluck without at least one dip. Classic taco dip is easy to make (seriously, ten minutes!) and will always be a crowdpleaser. Serve with tortilla chips or even some cut-up veggies.

Get the Taco Dip recipe.

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3Watergate Salad dishes at a midwestern potluck watergate salad Antonis Anchilleos

Having at least one sweet Jell-O “salad” is a must. You’re not quite sure what’s in it until you taste it, but you won’t be able to stop eating it. If you don’t have a family recipe, then start with this classic.

Get the Watergate Salad recipe.

4Perfect Potato Salad dishes at a midwestern potluck potato salad David Malosh

You might find a few variations of potato salads, including German potato salad. The other versions will probably be yellow thanks to eggs and mustard, just like Ree Drummond’s perfected recipe.

Get the Perfect Potato Salad recipe.

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5Slow Cooker Chili dishes at a midwestern potluck chili Will Dickey6Puppy ChowCaitlin Bensel

This sweet snack is the best five minutes of prep you’ll ever spend. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter, pour over Chex cereal, and then shake in a big bag of powdered sugar.

Get the Puppy Chow recipe.

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7Tuna Pasta Salad dishes at a midwestern potluck tuna pasta salad Will Dickey

This cold pasta salad makes a hearty side dish for practically any gathering. And because it has protein and veggies mixed with the pasta, it could easily be a main, too.

Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.

8Ooey Gooey Butter Cake dishes at a midwestern potluck ooey gooey butter cake Caitlin Bensel

What started as an accident in St. Louis became a beloved dessert! You start with a boxed cake mix and turn it into the best cake-cookie bar-cheesecake hybrid treat.

Get the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake recipe.

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9Beer Brats dishes at a midwestern potluck beer brats Caitlin Bensel

If there’s a cookout, you betcha there’ll be some brats. The magic starts when the sausages, onions, and beer simmer together. Then they get crisped up on the grill and served.

Get the Beer Brats recipe.

10Kicked-Up Tater Tot Hotdish dishes at a midwestern potluck tater tot hotdish Brenda Score

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11Buckeyes dishes at a midwestern potluck buckeyes Caitlin Bensel

No, you don’t need to be a fan of Ohio State to make these tasty confections. But you do need to be a fan of chocolate and peanut butter because that’s what you’ll get in every bite.

Get the Buckeyes recipe.

12Classic Three Bean Salad dishes at a midwestern potluck three bean salad Will Dickey

While you can absolutely pop open canned beans and throw this together fast, you can take a few more minutes and use fresh green beans instead. They’re a nice crunchier contrast to the white and kidney beans.

Get the Classic Three Bean Salad recipe.

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13Ham and Cheese Sliders dishes at a midwestern potluck ham and cheese sliders Will Dickey

Turn soft dinner rolls into epic sliders. Layer ham, Swiss cheese, and a tangy mayo-mustard spread, then bake them in the oven until they’re glossy on the outside and melty on the inside.

Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.

14Lemon Bars dishes at a midwestern potluck lemon bars Con Poulos

Ree’s lemon bars have a “nice, substantial cookie-like crust and just enough filling,” she explains. And whenever she makes them, “they disappear within four minutes.” The same will happen at your potluck!

Get Ree’s Lemon Bars recipe.

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15Layered Salad dishes at a midwestern potluck layered salad Ralph Smith

You’ll find some version of this called “seven layer salad” and you can guess why! Get a clear bowl and layer lettuce, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, green onions, cheddar cheese, and peas, then seal it with a creamy dressing.

Get Ree’s Layered Salad recipe.

SHOP GLASS BOWLS

16Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket dishes at a midwestern potluck pigs in a blanket David Malosh

Everyone loves pigs in a blanket! And if you’re feeding a crowd, this version is more appealing and even tastier. That’s because they’re brushed with a buttery honey mustard sauce before being baked.

Get the Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket recipe.

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17Scotcheroos dishes at a midwestern potluck scotcheroos Danielle Daly

Rice Krispies treats have a chocolatey, peanut buttery, butterscotch-y cousin that you’ll find over on the sweets table. They’re called scotcheroos and they’ll become your all-time favorite no-bake treat.

Get the Scotcheroos recipe.

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