20+ Best and Easy Christmas Potluck Ideas for Holiday Parties

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The holidays are the time of year where you can give yourself the excuse to pig out and eat all the Christmas treats, guilt free.

It’s time to increase the consumption of fat (not overdoing it) and ditch the gym (okay, just partially), but you know what I mean. It’s all about letting loose a bit and giving your body the vacation it deserves, which means feasting on that heavy turkey, snacking on some creamy potato casserole, which is oh so heavenly, by the way… and getting seconds or even thirds of your favorite Christmas chocolate cupcakes. Yum yum.

I know you only get the chance to indulge in this food during gatherings like potlucks, so take advantage and bring one or two dishes so everyone can share the laughter and joy together. Crowd-pleasers like baked mac and cheese, honey-glazed ham, spinach artichoke dip, cheesy lasagna, stuffed mushrooms, festive fruit salad, or even a comforting slow cooker chili will satisfy every craving. It’s perfect for any potluck table. And of course, turn up that tune “DJ Play a Christmas Song” by Cher or “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.

In this post, I’ll be summarizing all the best potluck recipes you can make so you and your friends can dance and have fun on one of the most unforgettable nights.

Pin this Best Christmas Potluck Ideas image to Pinterest!

 

More delicious recipe ideas for you:

• 20+ Cheap Easy Appetizers For Parties (Fancy and Budget Friendly)!
• 15 Easy and Delicious Christmas Dinner Ideas
• 20 Best No Bake Christmas Desserts That Will Satisfy Every Craving

 

1. Turkey Meatballs

Who said Thanksgiving is over? We’re in the spirit of giving in the last quarter of this year, so it’s safe to continue the turkey feast in meatball style. These serve great as an appetizer, snack, or even a main if you want to eat 30 of them. Gobble ‘em while you can!

 

2. Creamy Chicken Potato Casserole

You have every excuse to overload yourself with cream and butter, so don’t be shy about making this famous creamy chicken potato casserole. And don’t forget the bacon bits, they make it 1000 times better. It’s like chicken Alfredo, except you get that cozy, potatoey texture that keeps you joyful all Christmas long. Pure comfort, no ifs or spuds about it.

 

3. Easy Christmas Salad

Some people are just health freaks and I’m raising my hand here with no shame. It’s perfect for that person who shows up demanding a healthy feast all because they’re scared to put on a little temporary weight. Jokes aside, this Christmas salad will be a favorite for anyone trying to balance their junk food fantasy. It’s the salad that sleighs guilt.

 

4. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Tortilla chips, cheese, cream, and maybe a bit of veggies just to feel better? Oh yeah, the spinach artichoke dip will disappear in the blink of an eye, so you better hurry and gobble up 30 of them before everyone else does. Who says pigging out during Christmas means you can’t bring out the pub food? This will be a hit for those who love wings, fries, chips, and dips. Let the chipmas chaos begin.

 

5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic

Brussels sprouts with balsamic for the health freaks again, and that’s me. Don’t be surprised if your coworkers are on that ship too. It’s the perfect potluck dish to bring for those who don’t want something too heavy but still tastes great. Maybe bring up the holiday spirit with a bit of cranberry sauce on the side. After all, it doesn’t hurt to sprout some cheer this season.

 

6. Festive Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread

This carby festive Christmas tree pull-apart bread is going to be a hit at your potluck this year. So many guests will be impressed that you even made such a masterpiece, so pretty you might not even want to eat it and instead frame it as Christmas decor to show off your creativity skills. Bread it and weep.

 

7. Homemade Lasagna

Don’t be a cheater and bring Costco lasagna to the potluck and call it your masterpiece recipe, though that might work and people are gullible enough to believe you. Be honest and make a proper one so people can appreciate and compliment you on your cooking skills.

Lasagna may seem simple, but it’s bound to be everyone’s favorite. If you want to take it to the next level, shape it into a Christmas tree and get ready for nonstop praise. That’s amore with a side of holiday flair.

 

8. Apricot Jam & Gruyere Cheese Puff Pastry Bites

Apricot jam and cheese puff go so well together so you get a little bit of salty and a little bit of sweet, so technically not a dessert but it can pass as one. Great as a snack or appetizer, it’s definitely something you’ll want to bring to a holiday potluck. It’s puff love at first bite.

 

9. Cranberry Pinwheels

Cranberry screams Christmas, so what’s not to love about these cranberry pinwheels? They’re simple to make, healthy to eat, and amazing to enjoy. No complaints from anyone. In fact, something this simple just might be the hit of the year. So good that people will go for seconds or thirds and call it a compliment, not greed. It’s a holly jolly roll call.

 

10. Christmas Tree Hand Pies

Who needs cookies when you can make these cute Christmas tree pies? Let me suggest something… add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ll never want another dessert again. I promise this is the best combo you can ask for in a holiday treat.

Just make sure to bring a cooler so the ice cream doesn’t melt. Then again, with how cold it is, even Frosty’s surviving it. Pie hard this Christmas.

 

11. Scalloped Potatoes

Say goodbye to store-bought scalloped potatoes and hello to these freshly homemade ones.

Everyone is looking forward to snacking and nibbling a week before Christmas, so you may as well go all out and add all the butter, cream, and Alfredo sauce to this recipe.

To make it taste even deadlier (or oops, did I mean heavenly) add some bacon bits and you’ll be the favorite potluck giver this year. Taters gonna tate.

 

12. Easy Roasted Green Beans

I haven’t spoken a single veggie except for some spinach dip, Brussels sprouts, and a salad, but here’s another healthy choice: green beans with freshly cut almonds. It’s a great balance considering all the goodies you’ll be consuming, and it tastes just as good. May as well add some veggie intake.

The almonds give you a nice boost of protein without the guilt, and the green fits perfectly into a classic Christmas theme potluck. Maybe add some apple slices and you’ve got yourself a Christmasy dish for the season. It’s beginning to look a lot like crispmas.

 

13. Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders

Sure, we can go for a Hawaiian pizza in December, but let’s change things up a bit and go with this Hawaiian ham and cheese slider. Simple to make and easy to eat. We don’t need to be fancy to impress Santa… in fact, he might actually come down the chimney and steal them all because yes, that’s just how good they taste. Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas. Slay the holidays one bite at a time.

 

14. Healthy Christmas Fruit Platter

Can’t forget the fruit platter, it wouldn’t be a proper potluck without one. As you can see, it’s so easy to make. All you need to do is perfect the star with the mango and everything else is just plating and centering.

Make it simple on a big plate or show off your artwork by shaping it into a Christmas tree, Santa, or even the Grinch. Whatever it is, everyone could use some fruit at the party. Fruit happens when you party smart.

 

15. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Yummy homemade chicken pot pie, just like the ones you get to sample at Costco except this time you can have as many as you want guilt free.

No one will be judging you this Christmas, so yes, go for four slices if you must. Just don’t forget to detox with a bowl of Christmas salad mix to make yourself feel better.

And yes, you can add a scoop of ice cream for dessert because you deserve it after a hard year of work. Go big or pie trying.

 

16. Italian Pasta Salad

Perfect for those of you who are lazy and don’t consider yourself a pro chef. All you need is some pasta, olives, sliced eggs, a bit of cheese, and mixed greens, and you’re good to go.

It’s forgiving for a potluck because it looks like you put in effort and still tastes great without trying. Pasta la vista, kitchen stress!

 

17. Merry Little Christmas Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are another low-effort potluck pleaser. Hopefully no one eats more than 10 and gets flatulent mid-celebration.

Jokes aside, these eggs are a perfect healthy snack that will balance the tasty junk that comes along the way. Now that’s egg-cellent self-control.

 

18. Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Christmas Tree charcuterie boards may require more work, but your creation is worth it in the end.

Though it’s too pretty to eat, many guests will appreciate the fine art you did with the grapes, ham, cheese, and such. There is no treat that will top this tree-t.

 

19. Santa Claus Veggie Tray

The Santa Claus veggie tray is there to encourage healthy eating.

Instead of giving you a lump of coal, consider him generous for jam-packing some nutritious food into you. He’s just trying to be kind by encouraging you to reduce the calories from a big feast.

Make it a delightful meal with a decoration that’s too nice to look at.

 

20. Easy Crockpot Pulled Pork

Pork may not be on everyone’s top list for a potluck, but when pulled pork cooked in a crockpot tastes this good, it might just surprise you and have you going back for seconds (and thirds).

Forget begging Santa for more gifts. Instead, you’ll be the one saying, “Yule love this… and I want s’more.”

 

21. Crispy Vegan Spring Rolls

At a potluck, people are going to be eating turkey and chicken a lot, so to make things a bit more novel, include these vegan crispy spring rolls.

Dipping them into the sweet and savory sauce is going to make this the snack of the night. Call it a Christmas crispy that sleighs!

 

22. Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Buttercream

Be that person who owns the dessert table and bring it to the potluck with confidence.

These gingerbread brownies with eggnog buttercream are going to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with treats, and bringing extra will probably make you the favorite of the whole party.