28 Crowd-Pleasing Casseroles Perfect for Church Potlucks

Reunion Pea Casserole
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Potlucks have made their way to holiday gatherings and churches everywhere. A church potluck in the South is sure to be a big event filled with delicious homemade dishes, and we'd be lying if we said there's not a bit of competition involved. The best way to guarantee that your contribution will be a crowd-pleaser is by making one of these potluck casserole recipes. Whether you need a main dish or a side, casseroles are the perfect potluck idea because they're portable and easy to freeze if you have leftovers, which we'll admit, is rare. These church potluck recipes include brunch casseroles for early potlucks, vegetarian casseroles, main dish casseroles, and, of course, some of our old-school favorites like squash casserole and pineapple casserole. These easy-to-make and easy-to-take potluck casseroles will be enjoyed by church members of all ages, and you'll be asked to make them again and again. Now, what's for dessert?

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Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole
Jen Causey

Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole

If you don't want to make yet another chicken casserole, try this creamy ham casserole.

02 of 28

Cabbage Casserole

Cabbage Casserole
Photography: Victor Protasio, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

Instead of serving up cabbage cold and covered in mayonnaise, bring this warm casserole to your next potluck. We guarantee everyone will be asking for the recipe.

03 of 28

Old-School Green Bean Casserole

13x9 casserole, green bean casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

This classic holiday casserole will be as much of a success at the potluck as it was last Thanksgiving.

04 of 28

Scalloped Corn Casserole

scalloped corn casserole
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Scalloped Corn Casserole

Serving corn in casserole form makes it easy to transport and serve, plus it's covered cheese.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Give classic baked spaghetti the day off and opt for this cheesy chicken version for the potluck.

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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

How do you make homemade mac and cheese better? Add bacon.

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Mashed Potato Casserole

Mashed Potato Casserole
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Take mashed potatoes to the next level by using cream cheese to make them ultra-creamy on the inside. Then, add fresh breadcrumbs along with crispy fried onions for a crunchy finish.

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Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cheesy Sausage and Croissant Casserole

Need a dish after the early church service? Church-goers who aren't quite ready for lunch food will love this delicious brunch dish.

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Southern Living

Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

We've included make-ahead directions for this casserole, so you can bring a homemade dish to the potluck even if it falls on the busiest day of the week.

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Macaroni Corn Casserole

Macaroni Corn Casserole
Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Macaroni Corn Casserole

If you can't decide between a corn casserole or macaroni and cheese, we've found the solution for you.

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BLT Pain Perdu Casserole

BLT Pain Perdu Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: BLT Pain Perdu Casserole

Serving up the flavors of the classic sandwich in casserole form makes it easier to pull together for a crowd.

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Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole
Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Get the flavors of cheeseburgers without the mess of an assembly station by serving up this casserole.

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Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

Somebody has to bring a potato dish, so bring this cheesy potato casserole instead of the expected potato salad or mashed potatoes.

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Old School Squash Casserole

Old-School Squash Casserole in a green casserole dish
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

If you're from the South, you need to know how to make a squash casserole for any potluck or holiday event—you just do.

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Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Tater tots are the star that made this casserole famous.

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Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Both kids and adults will enjoy eating broccoli when it's accompanied by rice and covered in cheese.

17 of 28

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Satisfy the seafood lovers at your potluck with this shrimp casserole, but be sure it's labeled for attendees with shellfish allergies.

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Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

For a potluck that's on the earlier side, this sweet make-ahead breakfast dish is a unique take on classic pancakes.

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Pineapple Casserole

pineapple casserole in a white square casserole dish
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle,Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

Trust us, this six-ingredient recipe is a Southern classic that should be at every potluck.

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Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

This savory bread pudding has tons of flavor and texture from ingredients like French bread that's been baked in a rich Parmesan custard.

21 of 28

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Of all the chicken casseroles, this tried-and-true recipe is a forever favorite.

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Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

This cheesy, comforting tamale-inspired casserole will be gone before you can blink.

23 of 28

Pizza Casserole Deluxe

Pizza Casserole
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Pizza Casserole Deluxe

Sorry to the other moms! Your pizza dish will be the kids' favorite at the potluck.

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini, Squash and Corn Casserole

This casserole is the perfect way to use that fresh summer produce before it's gone.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is not just for holidays, it's a fall potluck essential.

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Bacon-and-Tomato Breakfast Casserole

Bacon-and-Tomato Breakfast Casserole
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Bacon-and-Tomato Breakfast Casserole

This easy slow-cooker recipe is perfect for a brunch potluck. Our test kitchen professionals suggest garnishing each serving with shredded fresh basil and halved grape tomatoes.

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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

King Ranch Chicken Casserole
William Dickey

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

We know this casserole will be a hit because it's cheesy, spicy, and oh-so-good.

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Reunion Pea Casserole

Reunion Pea Casserole
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Reunion Pea Casserole

This recipe calls for black-eyed peas, but you can substitute them for purple hull, crowder peas, or peas with snaps if you have them on hand.

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