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25 Christmas Potluck Ideas Perfect a Festive Gathering

These dishes will be the star of every holiday party.

By
the pioneer woman pull apart chicken parm sliders
Ryan Liebe

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:

1

Hamburger Casserole

hamburger casserole
Will Dickey

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.

2

Cranberry Crisp

cranberry recipes crisp
kate sears

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.

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3

Sautéed Green Beans with Pomegranates

sauteed green beans with pomegranates christmas vegetable dish
David Malosh

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.

4

Pull-Apart Chicken Parm Sliders

the pioneer woman pull apart chicken parm sliders
Ryan Liebe

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.

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5

Cranberry Brie Bites

the pioneer woman's cranberry brie bites recipe
Will Dickey

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.

6

Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon

christmas potluck cauliflower and broccoli casserole
David Malosh

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.

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7

Stuffed Turkey Breast

christmas potluck stuffed turkey breast
Danielle Daly

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.

8

No-Bake Eggnog Pie

christmas potluck eggnog pie
C.W. Newell

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.

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9

Cornbread Casserole

christmas potluck cornbread casserole
C.W. Newell

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.

10

Slow Cooker Ham

christmas potluck slow cooker ham
Will Dickey

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.

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11

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

christmas potluck crab stuffed mushrooms
Caitlin Bensel

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.

12

Jell-O Mold

christmas potluck jello mold
Danielle Daly

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.

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13

Manicotti

christmas potluck manicotti
Danielle Daly

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.

14

Christmas Cranberry Cake

christmas potluck cranberry cake
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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15

Christmas Chex Mix

christmas potluck chex mix
Brian Woodcock

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.

16

Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes

christmas potluck crockpot scalloped potatoes
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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17

Sugar Cookie Fudge

christmas potluck sugar cookie fudge
Danielle Daly

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.

18

Christmas Deviled Eggs

christmas potluck deviled eggs
Caitlin Bensel

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.

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19

Pinwheel Cookies

christmas potluck pinwheel cookies
Caitlin Bensel

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.

20

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

christmas potluck creamy mashed potatoes
Hector Manuel Sanchez

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.

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