1Green Bean Casserole
Will Dickey
This is a fresh, from-scratch twist on the classic (no cream-of-mushroom here). It starts with blanched fresh green beans, then gets folded into a simple white sauce enriched with cheddar cheese, bacon, and a pop of pimientos. Finish with a crispy panko topping and bake until bubbly.
Get Ree’s Green Bean Casserole recipe.
2Southern Potato Salad
Will Dickey
This classic side starring potatoes is mixed with chopped eggs, crisp celery, and green onion. It’s all coated in a creamy, tangy mayo-and-mustard dressing with a touch of relish, then finished with a little paprika.
Get the Southern Potato Salad recipe.
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3Sweet Onion Casserole
Stacy K. Allen
For a cozy Southern side dish, try these sweet onions baked in a creamy cheddar filling with a buttery Ritz-style cracker and parmesan topping. Bonus: it’s make-ahead friendly! Prep the filling a day early and add the cracker topping right before baking.
Get the Sweet Onion Casserole recipe.
4Jello Cake
Caitlin Bensel
This dessert starts with a box of yellow cake mix, then gets drenched with raspberry gelatin poured over holes poked all across the cake—so it turns extra moist with pretty red streaks throughout. Ree’s version is topped with a fluffy white chocolate whipped cream.
Get the Jello Cake recipe.
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5Grits Casserole
Will Dickey
Here’s a crowd-feeding breakfast that combines cheesy quick-cooking grits, crispy thick-cut bacon, and eggs in one dish—then takes it over the top with a “secret ingredient” (bacon drippings stirred into the grits for extra richness).
Get the Grits Casserole recipe.
6Layered Salad
Ralph Smith
Ree credits her mother-in-law for this make-ahead luncheon staple. All the ingredients are layered into a clear bowl and sealed with a creamy dressing. All you have to do is toss when you’re ready to serve!
Get Ree’s Layered Salad recipe.
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7Macaroni and Cheese
Ralph Smith
Face it: everyone loves mac and cheese. In fact, Alex Drummond chose this as her favorite church pick back when she was in school. Plenty of happy potluckers would agree!
Get Ree’s Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
8Deviled Eggs
Caitlin Bensel
It’s just not a gathering without at least one platter of deviled eggs. You can get creative with fun twists on deviled egg garnishes or just go with this classic recipe that everyone will love.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
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9Chicken Spaghetti
Hector Manuel Sanchez
You’ll definitely find at least one baked spaghetti in any church basement. Ree calls this classic one the “all-time greatest” comfort foods that her entire family loves.
Get Ree’s Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
10Peanut Butter Pie
Will Dickey
Ree first tried this decadent pie at a church potluck, and you probably did, too! It’s so rich, you only need a thin slice so it’s perfect for sharing. Plus, the no-bake filling only has four ingredients.
Get Ree’s Peanut Butter Pie recipe.
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11Pimento Cheese
C.W. Newell
You know you’re in the South if pimento cheese is present. Ree’s version is a bit smoky thanks to the addition of adobo sauce. Serve it with toast points, veggie sticks, or crackers.
Get Ree’s Pimento Cheese recipe.
12Ambrosia Salad
Caitlin Bensel
While the word “salad” might trip you up, make no mistake about it: Ambrosia is not meant to be a healthy, veggie-forward side dish. It’s meant to be sweet and nostalgic, and just what you want at a potluck.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
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13Perfect Potato Salad
David Malosh
There are probably as many potato salad recipes as there are churches in this country, but Ree considers this one to be the best! She says it’s “fluffy, light, flavorful, and packed with mix-ins.”
Get the Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
14Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole
Danielle Daly
The combination of broccoli and cheese in anything tends to be a crowd-pleaser. This casserole is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables and for adults to indulge a little.
Get Ree’s Broccoli Cheese and Cracker Casserole recipe.
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15Ree’s Favorite Sugar Cookies
Danielle Daly
Ree has a beloved member of her small town church to thank for these melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies. Their light texture “always made church potlucks and Cookie Sundays a thing to remember.”
Get Ree’s Favorite Sugar Cookies recipe.
16Macaroni Salad
Ralph Smith
Ree loves macaroni salad, but admits to being picky about it! She wants it “creamy but light, flavorful but not vinegary, and filled with crispy, crunchy, zingy bits for taste and texture.” And that’s what you’ll find with this recipe!
Get Ree’s Macaroni Salad recipe.
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17Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Will Dickey
Ah yes, another not-so-salad salad! You won’t find veggies, but you will find a savory-sweet pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and a sweet strawberry topping.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
18Ham and Cheese Sliders
Will Dickey
You’ll sometimes find these similar snacks called “funeral sandwiches” or “funeral sliders,” but don’t let that deter you from serving them at a happier occasion! This version has a kick from pickled jalapeños.
Get the Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe.
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19Lemon Bars
Con Poulos
From bake sales to church basements, you’d be hard pressed to find an event without these puckery classics. Ree’s version has a substantial buttery, cookie-like crust. She promises, “They disappear within four minutes”
Get Ree’s Lemon Bars recipe.
20The Best Baked Beans Ever
Danielle Daly
Before making this recipe for the first time, Ree said, “I never knew baked beans could be such a triumph, such a prayer, such a song.” But these are, so get ready for a lot of praise!
Get Ree’s Best Baked Beans Ever.
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Dining and Cooking