December sure is a busy month! Whether you were invited to a friend’s Christmas dinner party, a church potluck, or a tree-trimming celebration, your calendar is probably filled with holiday gatherings galore. If you’re encouraged to contribute a dish to any of these events, there are plenty of festive and crowd-pleasing recipes to choose from. As long as the item is transportable, easy to serve, and large enough to feed a group, you should be golden! Of course, an added bonus is selecting bites that bring the holiday spirit, such as wreath-inspired cookies, tree-painted deviled eggs, and red-and-green-colored sandwiches.
If you’re searching for Christmas potluck ideas that fit the bill, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find Christmas appetizers, main courses, and Christmas desserts that are easy to prepare, simple to serve, and delicious to eat. There are lots of Christmas casseroles on this list that simply need to be reheated before dishing out. Below, you’ll also discover slow cooker Christmas recipes that you can make ahead and keep warm for hours. Not to mention, there’s a chocolate peppermint sheet cake that’s big enough for a crowd—and everyone will be asking for the recipe.
To jumpstart the process, scroll through our collection of Christmas potluck ideas that are perfect for any holiday party, whether you’re attending or hosting.
Check out more recipes for your celebration:
Hamburger Casserole
Biting into a warm casserole is one of the best ways to brave the wintry weather during the holiday season. This hamburger-inspired variation is stuffed with ground beef and coated in melted cheese, which makes it extra hearty and homey. It’s also super easy to throw together and even easier to serve!
Get Ree’s Hamburger Casserole recipe.
Will Dickey
Cranberry Crisp
Cranberries, brown sugar, orange zest, and ginger work together to give this crumbly, buttery Christmas crisp a seasonal twist. The vibrant red berries topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream will even look like holiday décor!
Get Ree’s Cranberry Crisp recipe.
kate sears
Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates
With a prep time of just 15 minutes, these sautéed green beans make an effortless and nutritious dish for a Christmas potluck. And this seasonal side is also decorative! The pomegranates’ eye-catching red color fused with the green beans’ hue is perfectly on theme.
Get Ree’s Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates recipe.
David Malosh
Pull-Apart Chicken Parm Sliders
Bringing these sliders to a Christmas potluck makes for easy distribution (like the name suggests, just pull one apart!), and the burst of comforting flavors will make it a guaranteed hit. After all, what’s better than breaded chicken, melted cheese, and marinara sauce stuffed between a buttery bun?
Get Ree’s Pull-Apart Chicken Parm Sliders recipe.
Ryan Liebe
Cranberry Brie Bites
If you’re looking for a potluck-approved appetizer, these cranberry brie bites simply scream Christmas. Cranberry sauce and chopped pistachios stuffed in flaky puff pastry is reminiscent of a Christmas tree, and the flavors make it nearly impossible to pass up!
Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.
Will Dickey
Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
Maybe it’s the crushed butter crackers or the decadent cheese sauce, but this side dish is always a crowd-pleaser. Prepare for guests to come back for seconds!
Get Ree’s Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon recipe.
David Malosh
Stuffed Turkey Breast
You’ll hear ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ when you show up with this holiday main course. The rolled turkey breast filled with bacon, apple, and cornbread stuffing is worthy of its centerpiece status.
Get the Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe.
Danielle Daly
No-Bake Eggnog Pie
Not only can this pie be made with store-bought crust, but the filling is made with instant vanilla pudding mix, a carton of eggnog, and a package of cream cheese for an even more convenient treat.
Get the No-Bake Eggnog Pie recipe.
C.W. Newell
Cornbread Casserole
Pepper jack cheese gives this pudding-like cornbread casserole a welcome kick. But if you really want to take things up a notch, drizzle the whole thing with hot honey just before serving.
Get the Cornbread Casserole recipe.
C.W. Newell
Slow Cooker Ham
This holiday ham is cooked in a slow cooker so you don’t have to worry about fussing with the oven. But the secret to making it such a crowd-pleaser is all in the sticky Dr Pepper glaze.
Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Ham recipe.
Will Dickey
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
You’ll impress everyone at the party with this elegant appetizer! The savory mushrooms are packed to the brim with a creamy crab mixture, pimientos, and melty cheese. Top them off with golden breadcrumbs for a welcome crunch.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Jell-O Mold
This nostalgic treat will surely make everyone jiggle with excitement. What once was a potluck staple for grandma is now retro chic. And of course, it’s the perfect color combo for the holiday!
Get the Jell-O Mold recipe.
Danielle Daly
Manicotti
A pasta dish stuffed with cheese will always go over well with a crowd. The great thing about manicotti is that it tastes just as good warm, so you don’t have to worry too much about keeping it piping hot while it sits out.
Get the Manicotti recipe.
Danielle Daly
Christmas Cranberry Cake
If you’re assigned a dessert, skip the fussy tiers and make a 9-by-13 single layer cake instead. This cake will still stand out thanks to the sparkly sugared cranberries on top.
Get the Christmas Cranberry Cake recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Christmas Chex Mix
If you want to bring a snack for everyone to munch on but you’re not sure if you should go salty or sweet, do both. Chex mix is also so easy to carry. Simply carry it in a big zip-top bag and just pour it in a serving bowl when you get to the party.
Get Ree’s Christmas Chex Mix recipe.
Brian Woodcock
Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes
Warm, creamy cheese sauce and hearty potatoes make the perfect side dish—and making them in a slow cooker not only makes them easier to prep but easier to transport, too!
Get the Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Sugar Cookie Fudge
It’s just not Christmas without a little candy! This festively sweet idea can be made in advance, too, so you’re not in a rush that same day trying to finish up.
Get the Sugar Cookie Fudge recipe.
Danielle Daly
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are Ree Drummond’s go-to for any party. Give them a little holiday flare by adding fresh herbs and green food coloring to the filling, then finishing them with red pepper “ornaments!”
Get the Christmas Deviled Eggs recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Pinwheel Cookies
Cookies are always a good idea for Christmastime. These ones in particular will impress all the guests with their pretty pinwheel swirl and colorful sprinkles.
Get the Pinwheel Cookies recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Ree’s mashed potatoes are perfect for potlucks because they actually can be made ahead. You read that right! Just whip it up and place in a medium-sized baking dish, top with butter, and reheat before serving.
Get Ree’s Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Each one of these sweet potatoes is topped with a buttery oat crumble and a drizzle of hot honey so it’s like a fun twist on the classic casserole. To make it easier, just microwave the potatoes instead of baking them.
Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Brussels Sprouts Casserole
Even Brussels sprouts skeptics will fall in love with this dish thanks to the creamy, cheesy sauce, breadcrumb topping, and bacon!
Get the Brussels Sprouts Casserole recipe.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These dates are stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon so they have all the sweet and salty flavor that keeps guests coming back for more. Plus, we’ve added a slice of jalapeño for an extra kick.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe.
Will Dickey
Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese
Serving a big family or a bunch of picky eaters? This creamy mac and cheese is sure to be a hit! Since it’s made in a Crock-Pot, you can keep it warm so it’s always ooey-gooey.
Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake
Feeding a crowd can feel like a daunting task, but not when you’re armed with this extra-large sheet cake! Not only is there peppermint flavor in the cake, but there’s also some pretty crushed peppermint candies on top!
Get Ree’s Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake recipe.
David Malosh
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