I Love Sharing 35 Easy Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas

Everyone knows the best part of Thanksgiving is showing off what you brought. With 35 easy potluck ideas, there’s no reason to stress over the kitchen. Each one is built for sharing, swapping, and pretending you didn’t Google it an hour before. Just be warned, once people know you can cook, you’re officially on the invite list forever.

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery. — Classic Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Savory Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Close-up of cooked beef chunks garnished with chopped herbs on a plate with a spoon nearby. — Savory Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Guests always move fast for anything bite-sized that packs a punch. Savory Garlic Butter Steak Bites never last long once the platter’s out. People reach for seconds before the main meal arrives. These are the kind you’ll hear about days later. Steak bites give potlucks a boost in no time.
Get the Recipe: Savory Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Classic Shepherds Pie

A baked shepherd's pie with a golden mashed potato topping, partially served to reveal ground meat, peas, carrots, and gravy in a white dish. — Classic Shepherds Pie. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Comfort food favorites find their spot on every table. Classic Shepherds Pie brings together layers that kids and adults both enjoy. Plates fill up quickly with every scoop. The dish looks like a full meal in itself. Shepherds pie gives everyone a reason not to skip dinner.
Get the Recipe: Classic Shepherds Pie

Cheesy Baked Ziti

A spoon scoops baked ziti pasta covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce from a casserole dish. — Cheesy Baked Ziti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cheesy casserole dishes are always quick to win over a group. Cheesy Baked Ziti slides out in big squares that disappear almost right away. Kids ask for extras as soon as it arrives. It mingles with any other side. Families always enjoy baked ziti at shared meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Baked Ziti

Smoky Bacon Pig Shots

Close-up of bacon-wrapped scallops secured with toothpicks, seasoned with spices, and cooked until golden and crispy. — Smoky Bacon Pig Shots. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sharing appetizers keeps everyone happy during long dinners. Smoky Bacon Pig Shots grab attention for their fun shape and crisp bite. Kids try more than one every time. Adults hover around the tray too. Pig shots turn into a lively topic at any meal.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Bacon Pig Shots

Savory Cornbread Stuffing

A metal spatula lifts a serving of baked stuffing topped with chopped parsley from a white casserole dish. — Savory Cornbread Stuffing. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bread stuffing still gets lots of love with the right twist. Savory Cornbread Stuffing keeps plates full till dessert is ready. Every bite gives just the right mix of crunch and soft. People quickly pile large helpings on their plates. Cornbread stuffing makes the meal spread complete.
Get the Recipe: Savory Cornbread Stuffing

Burnt Basque Cheesecake

A close-up of several slices of a dense, golden-brown custard or cheesecake on parchment paper. — Burnt Basque Cheesecake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bringing out cheesecake always draws a crowd. Burnt Basque Cheesecake makes dessert more interesting with a dark top and creamy center. Kids are curious to try a different kind of cheesecake. Slices vanish by the end of the night. Basque cheesecake offers something special for guests.
Get the Recipe: Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

A close-up of a spoonful of chicken stuffing, showcasing croutons, shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and sprinkled herbs. — Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Layered casseroles offer warmth in every helping. Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole makes a strong main course at bigger meals. Kids dig into the soft filling again and again. It can hold its own on a packed table. Chicken stuffing casserole is a dinner standby.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

A baked pull-apart bread ring with melted cheese and cranberries on a gray plate, garnished with rosemary sprigs. — Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Any meal gets better with a dish that you get to pull apart. Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread turns into a hands-on snack for everyone at the table. Kids always want another piece. The gooey mix is a hit at any potluck. Pull-apart bread means no plate stays empty for long.
Get the Recipe: Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread

Buttery Cheddar Biscuits

A close-up of several golden-brown biscuits stacked on parchment paper, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh herbs. — Buttery Cheddar Biscuits. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Soft biscuits make hands reach for the basket again and again. Buttery Cheddar Biscuits are picked up before almost anything else. Kids go in for seconds or even thirds. These biscuits fit breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cheddar biscuits bring out the smiles at shared tables.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Cheddar Biscuits

Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Close-up of a flavorful chicken salad with diced chicken, green onions, chopped pecans, and raisins, all served on a bed of fresh spinach leaves. — Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Mixing sweet fruit into a main dish draws early crowds. Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad adds just the right touch for those who want something light. It’s easy to spoon onto plates or pile into sandwiches. Kids even try it when they see the color. This salad gives potlucks some needed crunch.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake

A slice of pineapple cake topped with fresh raspberries on a white surface. — Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Plenty of people look for a classic dessert once dinner wraps up. Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake always stands out with color and sweet topping. Kids eye the cherries first. Slices go fast, especially after a big meal. Pineapple cake finds its spot at parties every time.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Close-up of a serving of chicken cordon bleu casserole with shredded chicken, ham, melted cheese, and breadcrumb topping, garnished with parsley. — Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Classic recipes with a new twist land on the table with a splash. Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole gets scooped up fast at any potluck. Kids want a taste as soon as they see the bubbling top. Seconds are a must. Chicken cordon bleu casserole covers both simple and fancy tastes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Buttery Coffee Cake

Close-up of eight square pieces of crumb cake with a textured, crumbly topping. — Buttery Coffee Cake. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Starting off strong with coffee cake pleases crowds, even outside of breakfast. Buttery Coffee Cake calls out with its crumbly topping. Kids pinch off pieces to go with their drinks. The loaf style makes it easy to serve. Coffee cake disappears faster than most desserts.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Coffee Cake

Comforting Ham and Potato Casserole

A wooden spoon lifts a serving of cheesy casserole with chunks of ham and potatoes from a baking dish. — Comforting Ham and Potato Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Potatoes and ham together make everyone feel at home. Comforting Ham and Potato Casserole fills plates fast and holds its heat. Kids try to scoop up the golden edges. The pan’s empty before dessert appears. Ham and potato casserole is a no-brainer for group meals.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Ham and Potato Casserole

Creamy Coconut Cream Pie

A slice of coconut cream pie on a plate. — Creamy Coconut Cream Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dessert rounds off any meal nicely with some smooth pie. Creamy Coconut Cream Pie gets cut into neat slices with a cool finish. Kids see the whipped topping and hurry up for dessert. Pieces disappear, even after a big meal. Coconut cream pie ends dinner on a sweet note.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Coconut Cream Pie

Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball

Cheese ball shaped like a pumpkin with a green stem, coated in crumbled topping, surrounded by herbs and decorative pumpkins on a wooden surface. — Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Playful appetizers set a happy tone during family meals. Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball brings snacks and smiles together. Kids hurry over just for the fun look. Crackers, chips, or bread match well with it. Cheeseballs like this make sharing easy from the start.
Get the Recipe: Festive Pumpkin Shaped Cheeseball

Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls

A plate of five sticky buns topped with caramelized nuts and sauce, resting on a red cloth. — Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Adding sweet rolls to the meal keeps little hands busy. Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls pair up with both mains and desserts. Kids bite into the sticky top first. These rolls often go before the main course finishes. Apple rolls give a taste of something extra special.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Hawaiian Rolls

Savory Turkey Sliders

Close-up of a seasoned bagel sandwich with melted cheese and turkey slider filling, topped with seeds. — Savory Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mini sandwiches always get passed around quickly. Savory Turkey Sliders keep everyone fed before they even get to the main dishes. Kids build their own with a mix of toppings. Sliders work for any picky eater. Turkey sliders slip into every potluck lineup.
Get the Recipe: Savory Turkey Sliders

Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Close-up of a creamy, golden-brown macaroni and cheese dish with a crunchy breadcrumb topping reminiscent of comforting funeral potatoes. A spoon is partially submerged in the cheese sauce. — Cheesy Funeral Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Everyone loves a dish that combines comfort and plenty of cheese. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes boast a soft middle and crispy top that vanishes first. Kids call for seconds every time. It’s often the first pan to run out. Funeral potatoes set a friendly tone at big meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Buttery Pecan Pie Bars

Two pecan-topped dessert bars are stacked on parchment paper, showing a dense, crumbly base and a caramelized nut topping. — Buttery Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sweet bars come out handy for dessert tables that need to impress. Buttery Pecan Pie Bars share the goodness with neat, easy bites. Kids love the crumbly edges. These bars stack up quickly but disappear even faster. Pecan bars round out the meal just right.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Pecan Pie Bars

Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background. — Cheesy Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Eggplant casseroles find fans among both kids and adults thanks to their soft texture. Cheesy Eggplant Casserole makes a filling meal that keeps plates piled high. Friends ask for the recipe as soon as they try it. Even those who skip vegetables change their minds. Eggplant casserole surprises guests every time.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

Classic Southern Cornbread

Close-up of two stacked pieces of cornbread with melted butter on top, showcasing a golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly texture. — Classic Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Making bread for a group means picking something everyone will want. Classic Southern Cornbread is golden, soft, and perfect for grabbing seconds. Kids fight over the last piece. It’s easy to match with any main dish. Cornbread makes a classic fit for tradition and comfort.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Cornbread

Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Sheet pan meal with sliced roasted chicken breast, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, pecans, and pomegranate seeds, garnished with herbs. — Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Putting everything together on one tray makes dinner easier for everyone. Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner gives variety without extra fuss. Kids like that everything comes out at once. Plates fill up quickly. Sheet pan meals leave nothing but clean dishes behind.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Classic Pumpkin Pie

A slice of pumpkin pie on a plate with cranberries. — Classic Pumpkin Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

No potluck feels finished without a classic sweet ending. Classic Pumpkin Pie slices up smooth for everyone at the table. Kids get excited for whipped cream on top. Every year it disappears before anything else. Pumpkin pie always brings back good memories.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pumpkin Pie

Comforting Turkey Casserole

Close-up of a plate of creamy turkey casserole topped with bread crumbs and garnished with fresh basil leaves, reminiscent of a comforting turkey casserole. — Comforting Turkey Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Turkey never goes out of style for family meals. Comforting Turkey Casserole keeps people reaching for the serving spoon time and again. Kids like the mix of textures inside. It uses leftovers well. Turkey casserole fits right into any potluck plan.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Turkey Casserole

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Close-up of a muffin with a bite taken out, topped with cream and pumpkin seeds. — Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Treats that mix in a little café style catch everyone’s eye. Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins have a creamy swirl that gets devoured by kids. These muffins stack up as breakfast or dessert. Trays never come home full. Pumpkin muffins hold their spot on any potluck table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Comforting Turkey Soup

A bowl of chicken soup with rice, carrots, celery, herbs, and pepper sprinkled on top. — Comforting Turkey Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sharing a bowl of soup turns dinner into a relaxing affair. Comforting Turkey Soup is gentle enough for kids while filling for adults. The soup goes with rolls, salads, and casseroles. Everyone asks for seconds. Turkey soup is always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Turkey Soup

Mississippi Mud Pie

Classic pies make dessert tables stand out. Mississippi Mud Pie shows off with its rich layers and chocolate flavor. Kids want to claim a slice first. Adults share stories while waiting for seconds. No piece remains at the end.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie

Savory Bread Stuffing

A close-up of a casserole dish filled with stuffing made of bread cubes, cranberries, chopped herbs, and celery. — Savory Bread Stuffing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls of stuffing make people feel right at home. Savory Bread Stuffing is easy to scoop and simple to share. Kids eat it plain or with gravy on top. Big pans usually run out fast. Bread stuffing is expected at every family meal.
Get the Recipe: Savory Bread Stuffing

Soft Garlic Knots

Close-up view of freshly baked garlic knots with parsley and seasoning, resting on a parchment-lined baking tray. — Soft Garlic Knots. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Baked knots draw a crowd as soon as they appear. Soft Garlic Knots are always first to go in any bread basket. Kids twist them apart for extra fun. Toppings make them perfect for dipping or eating solo. Garlic knots give a finger-food fix for any table.
Get the Recipe: Soft Garlic Knots

Flaky Chicken Pot Pie

A slice of chicken pot pie being lifted, showing its creamy filling with chunks of chicken and vegetables, garnished with thyme. — Flaky Chicken Pot Pie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken pot pie stands out for its rich crust and warm inside. Flaky Chicken Pot Pie is scooped up quickly, often leaving no seconds. Kids love breaking into the pastry top. Pot pie is a hit with both kids and adults. Chicken pot pie keeps guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Chicken Pot Pie

Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board

A turkey charcuterie board features a playful face design with sliced meats, cheeses, pretzels, grapes, olives, breadsticks, and two candy eyes on an apple. — Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fun food setups set the right mood. Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board lets everyone make their own snack plate. Kids reach for the shapes and colors first. The board works as a starter. Charcuterie boards are a new potluck go-to for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Festive Turkey Charcuterie Board

Dense Fruit Cake

A close-up of a fruitcake with a slice being lifted out, showing its dense texture and pieces of dried fruit inside. — Dense Fruit Cake. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Coming together over tradition makes dessert even sweeter. Dense Fruit Cake holds up slice after slice during holidays and potlucks. Kids test the fruit bits and pick their favorites. It’s a long-standing choice for those who love rich sweets. Fruit cake finds a spot with every generation.
Get the Recipe: Dense Fruit Cake

Matcha Tiramisu

A close-up of a slice of tiramisu topped with green matcha powder, served on a ceramic plate. — Matcha Tiramisu. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Mixing flavors across classics gives diners something new. Matcha Tiramisu looks different but keeps the soft, sweet layers everyone loves. Kids want to see what’s inside. This treat disappears even if folks are trying matcha for the first time. Tiramisu makes special occasions memorable.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Tiramisu

Classic Meatloaf

Well-loved main courses make potlucks easy for hosts and guests. Classic Meatloaf sits well next to any side dish you bring. Kids clean their plates every time. Leftovers pack up easily for lunches. Meatloaf never misses when shared with a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Classic Meatloaf