Tater Tot Casserole
Tater tot casserole was the queen of comfort food at every church potluck. Mom layered the ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and perfectly arranged tater tots on top. The result was a crispy, golden, bubbling dish of creamy goodness.
Chicken Divan
Fancy name, but very simple dish. Chicken Divan was basically chicken, broccoli, and a mountain of creamy sauce baked together under a blanket of breadcrumbs and cheese. Moms called it “divine,” and everyone just nodded their heads with their mouths full.
Green Bean Casserole
Ah, yes, the one with those crunchy onions on top. This classic hit every table from Thanksgiving to potlucks. It mixed canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions into something that somehow worked. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a meal you knew and loved.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Every family had their own version of tuna noodle casserole. Some added peas, others crushed potato chips on top for extra flair. The smell was… memorable. Still, it was comfort food in the ’60s and ’70s and just fishy enough to keep you guessing what was really in it.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bake
If there was cheese, broccoli, and rice in one dish, you knew it was going to be good. Moms thought of it as a great way to get the kids to eat vegetables. And it was. This dish was creamy, cheesy, and always vanished fast at the church potluck.
Baked Mac and Cheese
This version of everyone’s favorite meal was made from scratch and baked until the top was crispy and golden. It was pure love in a casserole dish, and that cheese pull was legendary. All moms had their own recipe and wouldn’t dare share it.
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
You can almost taste this dish—layers of thin potatoes, chunks of ham, and creamy sauce, baked until bubbly. Can you think of anything more delicious? It smelled amazing and kept you full for days. What a tasty winner!
Tamale Pie
Tamale pie looked fancy on the church potluck table, but it was pure comfort food. It had a cornbread crust on the bottom, spicy beef and beans in the middle, and cheese on top. Moms made it for every special occasion, and no one complained.
Baked Ziti With Cottage Cheese
Before ricotta became cool, there was cottage cheese. Moms mixed it right in with pasta, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. It was hearty, cheesy, and oddly satisfying. Everyone thought it was Italian, but it was really just “Mom-style Italian,” meaning lots of cheese and zero measuring.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers were the fancy dish your mom was proud to show off at the church potluck. It was super simple to make—just bright peppers stuffed with ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce. The peppers were sometimes mushy, but no one cared because they tasted amazing!
Seven-Layer Salad
This was salad… 1970s style. Layers of lettuce, peas, bacon, cheese, and mayo dressing sat in a glass bowl like edible art. You had to dig deep to get every layer, but it was worth it. It was cold, crunchy, and somehow still heavy enough to count as dinner.
Ambrosia Salad
Nothing says “Southern church potluck” quite like an Ambrosia salad. It was a mix of canned fruit, marshmallows, and whipped cream. Sure, it looked like dessert, but everyone just pretended it was a salad so they could have some without feeling bad about it.
Watergate Salad
Watergate salad was also more of a dessert. It was pastel green and full of pistachio pudding, pineapple, marshmallows, and nuts. Moms said it was “classy.” The name made no sense to anyone, but the taste? Pure nostalgia in a bowl.
Jell-O Mold With Fruit
Every church kitchen had one of these masterpieces waiting to be devoured. Fruit and sometimes cottage cheese were placed in brightly colored gelatin in something that looked like a science experiment. Kids loved it, and adults pretended it was healthy.
Frog Eye Salad
Don’t worry, no one actually served frog eyes at church potlucks! This salad was made with tiny acini di pepe pasta mixed with fruit, a whipped topping, and marshmallows. Yes, it sounds weird, but it just worked. Everyone always went back for seconds.
Coleslaw With Pineapple
Sweet meets tangy with this rather quirky take on coleslaw that our moms just loved back in the day. The pineapple gave it more of a tropical twist, and moms swore it made the cabbage taste fresher. It was crunchy and sweet all at the same time.
Pea Salad With Cheese Cubes
Peas, cheddar chunks, and mayo - that’s it. Somehow, this combo became a potluck favorite. It looked suspiciously green, but one bite of that salty, cheesy goodness and you were hooked. Moms loved it because it was easy, while the kids loved it because it had cheese.
Macaroni Salad With Miracle Whip
Miracle Whip with macaroni? Yep - you read that right. All you had to do was mix macaroni, celery, onions, diced pickles, and Miracle Whip, and you had the perfect side dish for every summer potluck at church. Even the pastor went back for more.
Potato Salad With Pickles
This one doesn’t sound too weird, but potato salad with pickles was THE church potluck dish everyone always went for first. Moms argued over whether to use mustard, but every version was delicious. It was always the first to disappear.
Carrot Raisin Salad
Shredded carrots, raisins, and sweet mayo dressing - sounds delicious, right? This salad was chewy, crunchy, and pretty satisfying. And yes, it made us all question whether dessert could really be healthy. Kids always went back for more because it was so tasty.
Deviled Ham Spread
This deviled ham spread showed up at every sandwich table. All it was was a mix of canned ham, mayo, and a dash of mystery spices. It was great on crackers or tiny white bread triangles. These days, you get it in a can.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet-and-sour meatballs sounded strange, but they worked perfectly. This meal was essentially little meatballs swimming in a tangy red sauce made from ketchup and grape jelly. Yes, grape jelly. These were gone before the casseroles even cooled.
BBQ Little Smokies
BBQ smokies were the ultimate finger food. Mom smothered tiny sausages in barbecue sauce and simmered them until they were sticky-sweet. Every kid made a beeline for them, and it was impossible to just eat one. Mom knew what she was doing when she brought these to the church potluck.
Baked Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze
Nothing said “show-off” more than a baked ham with a brown sugar glaze. The glaze caramelized perfectly, giving every slice that sweet, sticky edge. It smelled just like Christmas, but it tasted like Sunday best. Mom only brought it when she was out to impress.
Chicken and Rice Bake
This one was the definition of “easy dinner.” Just chicken, rice, cream soup, and magic. It came out creamy, hearty, and comforting — no matter how many times Mom made it. The secret? Always more butter than the recipe called for. Always.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
If you didn’t eat a Sloppy Joe casserole at least once in your life, you missed out. It took the messy sandwich we all love and turned it into a baked masterpiece with beef, noodles, and melted cheese. Everyone went back for seconds - even the picky eaters.
Porcupine Meatballs
Porcupine meatballs had rice mixed right into them, making them look like they had tiny quills. Mom simmered them in tomato sauce until they were tender and saucy. It was also a good way to stretch a pound of meat into a full meal that everyone loved.
Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast
This was comfort food at its best for people who grew up in simpler times. It was dried beef simmered in creamy sauce, poured over toast or small pieces of toasted bread. It didn’t look pretty, but it tasted amazing. Moms called it “quick and filling.”
Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey tetrazzini was the go-to for leftover turkey after every holiday. Pasta, turkey, and creamy mushroom sauce were baked into bubbly perfection and carted off to the church potluck. It was the perfect way to stretch leftovers and make them taste brand new.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Pure retro magic - that’s the only way we can describe a pineapple upside-down cake. It smelled like sunshine and sugar, and the pineapples and cherries on top made it look like it came straight out of a magazine. Somehow, it always came out perfect.
Texas Sheet Cake
Chocolate, rich, and covered in warm frosting that soaked right in - a Texas cake was massive and perfect for feeding a crowd. Moms made it when they wanted to show love in bulk. It disappeared faster than gossip after Sunday service.
Banana Pudding With Nilla Wafers
This dessert was pure comfort in a bowl. Layers of creamy pudding, sliced bananas, and soft cookies made it taste like a dream. The longer it sat, the better it got. Getting the corner piece with extra wafers felt like winning a prize.
Cherry Dump Cake
A cherry dump cake was and still is one of the easiest things ever to make. You just dumped cherry pie filling, cake mix, and butter in a pan and baked it. No mixing and no mess. It didn’t look fancy, but, boy, did it taste amazing!
Lemon Bars
Lemon bars were like sunshine you could eat. The crust was soft and buttery, and the lemon filling was bright and tangy. A sprinkle of powdered sugar on top made them look extra special. Moms baked these when they wanted something simple but classy for the church potluck.
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Yes, this concoction sounds strange, but it tasted incredible. The mayonnaise kept the cake moist and rich. Every bit was soft and fudgy, and you’d never have guessed what was in it until your mom told you. Weird idea? Yes. Perfect result? Also, yes.
