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  4. Our Favorite Fall Side Dishes That Belong at Your Next Potluck

Our Favorite Fall Side Dishes That Belong at Your Next Potluck

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated August 04, 2022
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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

It's an undeniable fact: Every potluck is only as good as its side dishes. We're packing our plates to the brim with creamy casseroles, like our cheesy scalloped potatoes and old-school squash casserole, and comforting classics, like slow-cooked collard greens and old-fashioned okra-and-tomatoes. (If our plate doesn't feel like it's about to buckle in and our arm isn't getting tired from holding it, it's just not full enough.) In the fall, potluck season grants free rein to the fresh and colorful harvest; and we've rounded up the very best of our fall side dishes that'll wow the potluck crowd this year. Here are our easiest fall potluck ideas yet.

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Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Bring some cozy fall flavor to the potluck with this twist on mac and cheese. Butternut squash adds (healthy) richness, panko crumbs bring an irresistible crunch, and the sheet-pan prep makes it easy and fast. 

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Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Thanksgiving Sides: Root Vegetable Gratin
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Free up your stovetop and lessen your cook time by throwing this recipe into your slow cooker for a few hours. The trick to a crowd-pleasing Southern side dish? Adding bacon. It just makes everything a little bit more flavorful, including these old-fashioned green beans.

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

A hearty scalloped potato casserole offers a welcome option to classic mashed potatoes. Not to mention, you don't have to worry about the texture going downhill as it sits on the potluck table. For a delicious twist, try Gruyère cheese instead of Parmesan.

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Savory Corn Pudding

Savory Corn Pudding
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Savory Corn Pudding

Fresh thyme adds a savory twist to the sweetness of corn pudding. Though it's often overlooked as a potluck side, corn pudding will always fit in perfectly with all of the classic casseroles, like green bean and squash.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Old-School Squash Casserole
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

The crunchy, buttery cracker topping on this traditional Southern recipe keeps everyone coming for more. If you show up to the potluck with this classic comfort food, you're guaranteed to take home a scraped-clean baking dish.

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Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Here's a lower-carb, but not lower-flavor, side dish that will appeal to everyone. Traditional loaded potato-skin toppings like cheese, bacon, and chives make this casserole a comfort-food dream. 

 

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Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Be prepared to receive rave reviews all night long—because this fall-inspired side dish is nothing less than amazing. Earthy wild rice is combined with crisp apple, celery, red onion, toasted walnuts, fresh parsley and sage, and buttery sourdough bread cubes.

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Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

If your potluck crowd includes kids, this tater tot-topped dish will steal the show. The taco-seasoned ground beef, chiles, and cheese make a savory southwestern combo under the 'tots, and it just looks fun,

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Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks Recipe
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Let these easier-than-easy collards wow the crowd. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe lets the collard greens cook with ham hocks low and slow in your trusty slow cooker.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

It might be a controversial take, but why wait until Thanksgiving to break out the marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes? This version, adding the crunch of cornflakes and pecans to offset all of the fluffy creaminess, will have family asking you to whip it up again for the holidays. 

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Classic Okra And Tomatoes

Classic Okra And Tomatoes
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Classic Okra And Tomatoes

You can't go any more classic than this Southern pairing of okra and tomatoes. The ingredients get wonderfully stewed together and taste amazing when served over rice.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Introducing the perfect twist on our classic macaroni and cheese. Roasted broccoli makes the creamy, cheesy casserole just a little more interesting in terms of flavor and texture. When taking macaroni and cheese to a party or potluck, this recipe makes sure it's anything but boring.

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Harvest Salad

Harvest Salad
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Harvest Salad

It's pretty, it's a welcome partner to a rich casserole, and it's bursting with fall bounty. This colorful salad brings roasted veggies, crisp apple slices, and crunchy pecans together with a tangy-sweet orange maple dressing

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Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

This colorful casserole is packed with fresh fall ingredients and baked in a rich Parmesan custard with smoky bacon, spinach, and chunks of roasted sweet potatoes. It'll be a standout side dish on the potluck table.

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Wild Rice with Mushrooms

Wild Rice with Mushrooms
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Wild Rice with Mushrooms

A hearty rice side elevated with sautéed sweet onion and fresh mushrooms makes a simple yet crowd-pleasing option. Requiring only seven ingredients and thirty minutes of prep time, it's a low-maintenance pick.

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Parker House Rolls

Carey Hynes Parker House Rolls
Credit: Jaguar Sun

Recipe: Parker House Rolls

These homemade yeast rolls are a step above the rest. Coated in melted butter and topped with flaky salt, these are always a welcome add-on to any party or potluck.

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Okra and Chickpeas in Fresh Tomato Sauce

Okra and Chickpeas in Fresh Tomato Sauce Recipe
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Okra and Chickpeas in Fresh Tomato Sauce

A tangy tomato sauce lightly covers the fresh ingredients in this recipe. Okra, tomatoes, and chickpeas make up the bulk of the flavorful side dish.

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Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad

Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad
Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kaye E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad

Inspired by Southern favorite Texas Caviar, this colorful salad is packed with black-eyed peas, corn, and bell pepper; while a tangy sauce with a spicy kick holds it all together. Trust us, this one is a crowd-pleaser.

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Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter

Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Propr Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter

We're betting these biscuits go quickly at the potluck. The pumpkin gives them that perfect fall color, and adding savory ham and sweet butter puts them over the top. 

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Spicy Grilled Corn Salad

Spicy Grilled Corn Salad
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: Spicy Grilled Corn Salad

Shake up the sideboard by bringing this spicy salad inspired by Mexican-style street corn. If your potluck has a casual cookout vibe, this recipe offers the perfect accompaniment.

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Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Don't be afraid to mix up the vegetables in this tortelloni salad, depending on your favorite fall produce. Grilling the veggies takes this pasta salad to the next level.

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Lemony Potato Salad

Lemony Potato Salad
Credit: Becky Stayner

Recipe: Lemony Potato Salad

A casual potluck isn't complete without classic potato salad. This lemony version is held together with a vinaigrette of simple olive oil, lemon juice, and dry mustard.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

When you don't have to worry about packing and layering sweet potatoes into a baking dish, using the fall-favorite ingredient seems even more appealing. A little salty, a little sweet, and oh-so-tasty, this slow-cooker recipe is going to be a family favorite.

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    1 of 23 Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    2 of 23 Slow-Cooker Green Beans
    3 of 23 Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
    4 of 23 Savory Corn Pudding
    5 of 23 Old-School Squash Casserole
    6 of 23 Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
    7 of 23 Herbed Wild Rice Dressing
    8 of 23 Cowboy Casserole
    9 of 23 Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
    10 of 23 Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes
    11 of 23 Classic Okra And Tomatoes
    12 of 23 Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
    13 of 23 Harvest Salad
    14 of 23 Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
    15 of 23 Wild Rice with Mushrooms
    16 of 23 Parker House Rolls
    17 of 23 Okra and Chickpeas in Fresh Tomato Sauce
    18 of 23 Black-Eyed Pea and Grain Salad
    19 of 23 Pumpkin-Buttermilk Biscuits with Crispy Ham and Honey Butter
    20 of 23 Spicy Grilled Corn Salad
    21 of 23 Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad
    22 of 23 Lemony Potato Salad
    23 of 23 Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

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    Our Favorite Fall Side Dishes That Belong at Your Next Potluck
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