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Midwest Potluck Recipes

ByJennifer Osterholt Updated

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We have compiled the most popular recipes that you’ll commonly find at Midwest Potlucks, church suppers, family reunions and community gatherings. These nostalgic favorites are packed with flavor and memories of the people that always brought them to share!

A cherished collection of appetizers, salads, cold side dishes, hot side dishes, casseroles, main dishes and desserts check out our list of midwest meal time traditions.

Collage of the most popular potluck dishes including overnight salad, little smokies, shredded chicken sandwiches and fruit salad with Cool Whip.

Traditional Midwest Potluck Dishes

Most of these recipes surfaced from family members, church or community cookbooks and we’ve spent years testing to find the best variation and share them here on our website.

Here are tried and true favorite recipes from the farm. Right here in the heart of it all – the midwest!

A variety of appetizer, salad, side dish, main dish and dessert recipes that are perfect for potlucks.

Midwest Potluck Salads Recipes

If you grew up in the Midwest, you know a “salad” doesn’t always mean lettuce! Jello Salads have earned their place at the table, and we’ve got several classics to try.

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Known as a dessert in most parts of the country, we’ve got a variety of sweet salads like our Marshmallow Pineapple Salad that’s also known as Watergate Salad.

Don’t worry! We’ve also included plenty of flavorful vegetable salads in our list below!

Collage of midwest potluck salad recipes from broccoli salad and ramen cabbage salad to a variety of jello, pudding and fruit salads with Cool Whip.

Be sure to check out our list of over 30 of our Best Box Mix Cake Recipes that are perfect for potlucks!

Our Best Midwest Potluck Recipes

Overnight Salad
Perfect for potlucks, picnics and barbecues this easy overnight salad can made ahead of time and creates a beautiful presentation when served.
Check out this recipe
Easy layered salad with fork on a rustic white plate
Broccoli, Cranberry and Bacon Salad
A sweet and juicy surprise in every bite this Broccoli, Cranberry and Bacon Salad recipe is always a winner!
Fresh, crunchy broccoli mixed with bacon and juicy dried cranberries makes a festive and delectable salad.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of glass bowl full of broccoli salad with bacon and cranberries surrounded by bright blue and white napkin
Ramen Noodle Salad
A nice crunch from Ramen noodles compliment a simple Asian inspired dressing that coats shredded cabbage to create an easy salad recipe.
Check out this recipe
Close up toppings of crunchy noodles, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds and sliced green onions on an Asian ramen noodle salad.
Jello Pretzel Salad
With a salty pretzel crust, a smooth creamy Cool Whip layer, and a bright fruit and jello topping, this Jello Pretzel Salad is a true classic.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a pan of Jell-O Pretzel Salad in a glass pan with strawberries on top.
Coleslaw For A Crowd
A little tangy, a little creamy, this is a good Coleslaw For A Crowd recipe that will appeal to lots of people at your picnic, potluck, graduation party or 4th of July party.
Check out this recipe
Close up plate of tri-color coleslaw mix made into a creamy coleslaw to make an easy fresh vegetable side dish with a fork resting on the back.
Macaroni Salad for a Crowd
Simple but flavorful every bite of this Easy Macaroni Salad for a Crowd recipe is creamy, tangy and delicious! 
Perfect for a graduation party, big family parties and cookouts this Amish style macaroni salad side dish for a crowd is an economical way to feed people.
Check out this recipe
Dish full of creamy and delicious macaroni salad recipe for a crowd on a yellow and white napkin
Country Potato Salad
Whether it’s a big family party or a potluck, our country potato salad recipe makes a great side dish for a crowd!
Check out this recipe
Bowl of old-fashioned potato salad with mayo and celery
Chicken and Wild Rice Salad
Break away from the usual chicken dinner routine with this easy Chicken and Wild Rice Salad recipe. Loaded with crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy carrots tossed in a light white balsamic dressing.
Check out this recipe
Mixture of tender chicken and seasoned wild rice with a chopped apples, dried cranberries, carrots, green onions and almonds enhancing the cold salad on a yellow and white plaid napkin.
Crunchy Pea Salad
A creamy mayo and sour cream dressing coats sweet green peas, crunchy celery, water chestnuts, and green onions in this old-fashioned Crunchy Pea Salad.
Check out this recipe
An Asian twist of chopped water chestnuts stirred into celery, onions and peas in a light, creamy mayo and sour cream sauce.
Pasta Salad For A Crowd
Colorful pasta, coated with Italian dressing and a generous blend of veggies and cheese makes a delightful Pasta Salad For A Crowd!
Check out this recipe
Corner of a large foil pan with a big batch of pasta salad for a crowd that generously coats rotini and an assortment of veggies with Italian dressing
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip
Creamy from the Cool Whip and pudding, this fruit salad using fruit cocktail, pineapple and mandarin oranges can be mixed up in just five minutes.
Check out this recipe
Close up cherry, pineapple tidbit, grape and other fruit cocktail ingredients coated with creamy vanilla pudding mixture heaped up in a white bowl.
Marshmallow Fruit Salad
This easy green Marshmallow Fruit Salad is a simple side dish or dessert for parties and everyday meals. 
Check out this recipe
Spoon in a bowl full of green marshmallow fruit salad with colorful mini marshmallows sitting on top
Orange Jello Salad
This vintage Orange Jello Salad recipe is simple and delicious! Mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple are mixed into orange gelatin and topped with a Cool Whip and vanilla pudding frosting that is wonderful!
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Cool whip frosting on classic orange jello salad
Lime Jello Salad
Tart and zesty with a sweet twist this easy Jello salad recipe is refreshing and delicious.
Check out this recipe
Piece of cool lime jello salad
Cottage Cheese with Pineapple Salad
Creamy and sweet this Cottage Cheese with Pineapple Salad recipe also features lime or orange jello, mini marshmallows, cool whip and chopped walnuts.
Check out this recipe
Close up green cottage cheese and gelatin dessert
Caramel Apple Salad
Apples coated in a butterscotch pudding and Cool Whip mixture with marshmallows makes a creamy and fluffy Caramel Apple Salad.
Check out this recipe
Crisp chunks of apples coated in a creamy pudding and Cool Whip mixture with marshmallows and peanuts to create a Caramel Apple Salad.
Cucumber Salad with Mayo and Sour Cream
Our Cucumber Salad with Mayo and Sour Cream takes cool, crisp cucumbers and mixes them in a light and refreshing homemade dressing.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of spoon in a bowl of cucumber salad with sour cream.
Easy Cheesy Potatoes
We make this Easy Cheesy Potato recipe with hashbrowns often for parties, holidays and family meals.
Check out this recipe
Cheddar cheese and Ritz crackers on spoonful of Farmhouse cheesy hashbrowns
Farmhouse Jiffy Corn Pudding
Tender morsels of Jiffy Corn Pudding make an easy side dish that we crave with only five ingredients. 
Check out this recipe
Golden Jiffy corn pudding show kernels of corn in the serving that's being lifted by a silver spatula above the casserole dish full.
Scalloped Potatoes For A Crowd
Creamy, cheesy and so tender these Scalloped Potatoes For A Crowd are easy to make in an electric roaster oven using boxed potatoes.
Check out this recipe
Up close of a spoon stirring an easy recipe for scalloped potatoes for 50 people in a roaster oven.
Easy Ranch Glazed Carrots
If you love dipping vegetables in ranch dressing this Easy Glazed Ranch Carrots recipe is a great side dish for you! 
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Close up baby carrots glazed with a ranch flavored dressing
Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Smooth and creamy with a little extra something special this creamed corn cooks easily in the crock pot.
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Frozen corn coated with cheddar cheese in a cream cheese sauce with a wooden spoon stirring.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Creamy macaroni and cheese is super easy to make in a crock pot. Cooked pasta, Velveeta and cheddar cheese along with evaporated milk make a rich and delicious side dish for any occasion! Our Farmhouse Style Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a family favorite!
Check out this recipe
Easy crock pot macaroni and cheese on a white plate
Zucchini Casserole with Stuffing Mix
This Old Fashioned Zucchini Casserole with Stuffing Mix recipe is creamy, crunchy and a classic side dish that is so easy to make! Whether we're using extra zucchini from the garden or making a nice holiday casserole this vegetable hot dish is very versatile.
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Slices of zucchini mixed in with shredded carrots, chicken stuffing, sour cream and cream of chicken soup
Farmhouse Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
Only a few ingredients mix together and simmer with the ground beef all day to make mouth-watering Farmhouse Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Sandwiches.
Check out this recipe
Homemade sloppy joe sandwich on a white plate
Farmhouse Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Our family makes Farmhouse Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe at least once a month! The best meals can be the easiest meals!
Four ingredients in a crock pot for the entire day make one of our favorite meals, pulled pork. This recipe is great to feed a crowd or meal prep for several family meals.
Check out this recipe
Homemade BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich on white plate by BBQ potato chips and broccoli
Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
A sweet glaze with brown sugar, melted butter, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard make these baked Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders stand out. Honey ham with melted cheese sitting on delicious ranch dressing on a sweet Hawaiian roll makes the best sliders.
Check out this recipe
Close up of a hot ham and cheese slider with thick layers of meat and cheese on a Hawaiian roll with the top of the bun coated with a shinny and sweet brown sugar and poppy seed glaze.
Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Meaty shredded chicken seasoned with a box of stuffing mix and creamy soup makes the best Shredded Chicken Sandwich recipe.
Check out this recipe
Close up creamy homemade shredded chicken sandwich on a fresh sesame seed bun
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Tender meatballs with a sweet and sour pineapple sauce this easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe makes a great appetizer or meal.
Check out this recipe
Close up moist meatballs with pineapple sweet and sour glaze
Cocktail Meatballs
A simple recipe with a grape jelly and chili sauce glaze this Cocktail Meatballs recipe is perfect finger food for a tailgate or holiday party.
Check out this recipe
Easy meatballs soaking in grape jelly sauce
French Onion and Beef Consomme Rice
White rice is enhanced with Beef Consumme, French onion soup and a stick of butter to make a side dish that's full of flavor!
Check out this recipe
Hand holding butter, cans of beef consomme and French onion soup over top of brown rice in a white dish.
Hamburger and Tater Tot Casserole
Golden brown tater tots sit atop melty cheese, mixed vegetables and beef to make our Hamburger and Tater Tot Casserole.
Check out this recipe
Cheese covered hamburger peeking out of a tater tot casserole with vegetables and a fork leaning on the crispy potatoes in the background
Farmhouse Slow Cooker Chili
A nice balance of meat and chili beans, gently complemented by tomatoes and a touch of brown sugar for a subtle sweetness, creates an enjoyable and mild slow cooker chili recipe.
Check out this recipe
Spoon in a bowl of easy chili sprinkled with chopped parsley with bread and a slow cooker in the background.
Spaghetti Pizza Casserole
A combination of basic ingredients that are always popular, Spaghetti Pizza is one of our all-time favorite family meals!
Check out this recipe
Rows of pepperoni on top of a layer of cheese on a spaghetti pizza on a red and white napkin.
Easy Baked Ziti
Extra smooth and creamy to balance the sweetness of the tomatoes this easy Baked Ziti with sour cream is worth trying!
Check out this recipe
Serving of smooth tubes of ziti pasta covered in a tomato based meat sauce and melted cheese with a fork in the center on a white plate.
Farmhouse Deviled Eggs
Farmhouse Deviled Eggs are classic hard-boiled eggs with the yolks removed and mixed into a rich and creamy filling with a secret ingredient.
Jumbo eggs have a generous filling packed with mustard, mayo, cream cheese and sprinkled with paprika. Deviled eggs or stuffed eggs can be filled with any combination of flavors.
Check out this recipe
Close-up keto stuffed eggs with 4 simple ingredients
Chili Cheese Ball
Are you looking for an easy make ahead appetizer or snack? This Chili Cheese Ball is so easy and delicious! This has been a family favorite recipe for decades!
Check out this recipe
Crackers in a circle around a chili cheese ball
Cheese Ball with Dried Beef
Creamy, salty and meaty join together to make the best Cheese Ball with Dried Beef! We have tried many cheese ball recipes and this one with only 4 ingredients is our favorite.
Check out this recipe
Close up of cream cheese ball coated with chipped beef with a simple seasoning of green onion and more beef
Stove Top Little Smokies
Sweet and fruity these little smoky sausages can be made very quickly on the stove top in a simple jelly and cranberry sauce.
Check out this recipe
Large silver serving spoon full of little smokies made with cranberry sauce over top of a skillet full.
Texas Brownies
A cross between a Texas Sheet cake and brownies this chocolate dessert recipe with icing will hit the spot when you have a chocolate craving!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Texas brownie on a small white plate on a yellow plaid napkin
White Texas Sheet Cake
Warm, buttery vanilla flavors that make a wonderful blonde cake with a simple icing to create our White Texas Sheet Cake.
Check out this recipe
Close up white piece of Texas sheet cake with a delicious white icing.
Dirt Cake Recipe
Oreo Dirt Cake is a super easy recipe that calls for layers of crushed Oreos to alternate with creamy pudding, cream cheese and Cool Whip layers.
Check out this recipe
Plate of Oreo dirt pudding
Cherry Delight
Rich whipping cream and cream cheese on a graham cracker crust and topped with cherry pie filling makes Cherry Delight, a classic dessert recipe that is always popular!
Check out this recipe
Piece of cherry delight dessert on a white plate
Buckeye Bars
A rich layer of chocolate on a thick layer of a peanut butter and graham cracker mixture makes these amazing Buckeye Bars!
Check out this recipe
Close up square nobake dessert called buckeye bars with a smooth chocolate layer on a rich peanut butter mixture on a beige board.
Heath Bar Cake
A rich chocolate cake soaked in butterscotch and sweetened condensed milk with creamy topping makes this amazing Heath Bar Cake recipe.
Check out this recipe
Pieces of Heath Bar Cake with butterscotch and sweetened condensed milk for moisture and whipped cream with heath candy bar bits.
No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
This easy No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake recipe only calls for 5 ingredients and is the perfect weeknight treat or dessert for a big gathering.
Check out this recipe
Slice of easy no-bake cheesecake recipe covered with cherry pie filling
Cream Puff Cake
This homemade Cream Puff Cake is super EASY to make and tastes so good everyone will ask for this dessert recipe!
With a cream puff pastry like crust covered with a rich and creamy vanilla filling topped with whipped topping and drizzled with chocolate, this Cream Puff Cake is simply irresistible!
Check out this recipe
Piece of layered cream puff cake on a white plate
Churro Cheesecake Bars
The amazing cinnamon sugar topping on these Churro Cheesecake bars reminds me of an elephant ear on a cheesecake.  
Also known as Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars, this dessert recipe is so easy to make at home with crescent roll dough and has a layer of cream cheese for extra goodness!
Check out this recipe
square cream churro cheesecake on white plate
Church Cake
A Jiffy cake mix topped with a creamy pudding and cream cheese layer then crushed pineapple and cool whip makes an easy and delicious traditional Church Cake or Preacher Cake. 
Check out this recipe
Square piece of church cake on white plate by fork
Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Cheesecake lovers will fall head over heals for this Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes recipe because they are so easy to make!
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of mini cheesecake cupcakes in foil cupcake liner topped with cherry pie filling

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I share how to make life easier while raising a busy family! From delicious desserts to easy dinners and simple breakfast recipes. I’m here to make your time in the kitchen more efficient while building confidence!

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