Budget and good dishes for potlucks?

[kellia]

Any ideas for easy and not too expensive dishes for pot lucks? We have a lot of parties coming up that we need to "bring a dish to pass", but I never know what to bring!!

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

Pasta Salad...I do it with corkscrew pasta, green bell peppers, tomatoes and Italian Salad dressing...it goes a long way and is festive with the red and green.

Barb

 

[KibbyCat]

One of my favorite things that goes over well at potlucks is fairly inexpensive and easy to make. If you like Tex-Mex, here is the recipe:

Mexican Casserole

One package of flour tortillas
A pound or two of ground beef (depending on how hearty you want it)
Some chopped onion
One small can of evaporated milk
One small jar of taco sauce
One small jar of green chilis
One can of cream-of-mushroom soup
1 can of cream-of-chicken soup
Shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the ground beef with the onion and drain off the grease. (I like to sprinkle my meat with garlic powder for extra flavor.) Stir in the cream soup, milk, and half of each of the jars (taco sauce and green chilis).

Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Line a 13x9 pan with a layer of tortillas. Pour some of the mixture on and top with cheese. Repeat in layers (like lasagna).

Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and tortillas are golden brown.

If you don't like the thought of having leftover green chilis and taco sauce, you could always make a double batch, or you can store the unused ones in the fridge or freezer for future use.

Enjoy!

 

[tinachris]

I just had this garlicky, parm. pizza app. at a party last night. It was very good, so I had to get the recipe.

You'll need:
1 boboli pizza crust (or any premade pizza crust)
1 cup mayo
1 1/c cup grated parmeasan
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano (or italian seasonings of any kind-rosemary, basil)
1 small red onion chopped fine

You mix all the ingredients together and spread on the pizza dough. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cut into small wedges.


My standbys are the BBQ weenies or meatballs in the crockpot, spinach artichoke dip, and chocolate turnovers (for something sweet).

Christina

 

[travelbug]

If you're in a hurry, here is a super easy jello salad that always goes over big and it's not expensive to make:

6 oz box orange jello
16 oz. Cool Whip
24 oz. small curd cottage cheese
1 medium can mandarin oranges

Stir together the jello powder, Cool Whip, and cottage cheese. Fold in the mandarin oranges. This may be served right away if you like. You can also substitute a different flavor jello and a different fruit. (For Christmas, raspberry jello with raspberries is great.)

 

[crazelion]

devil eggs

 

[PHXscuba]

I second the deviled eggs! One time I brought some to a potluck because I had no time to go to the store and the only thing in the house I could use was a dozen eggs! I was pleasantly surprised how much people liked them. A dozen eggs is less than $150 around here plus a few spices and mayo.

PHXscuba

 

[neffernie]

Here's a super easy coconut custard that I have made loads of times and always ends up gone.

1 can sweetened condenced milk
1 can evaporated milk
6 eggs
shredded coconut (I use a handful, but you can use more or less if you like)
1 tsp vanilla
sprinkle of nutmeg
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put all ingredients in a blender and mix for 1 minute. Pour into a large glass baking dish (I use a 9x9 dish and the mixture comes nearly to the top). Place the baking dish in another pan and fill the pan with water halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake for 1 hour. Allow to cool.

I have served this just as it is, with melted caramel over the top, and with cranberry sauce on top. All have turned out well and it looks like you know how to cook!

 

[Cjmuma]

My favorite is mac and cheese in the crock pot, super easy and quick, and only a few ingredients... It is a Paula Deen Recipe

 

[richmond282]

My favorite is mac and cheese in the crock pot, super easy and quick, and only a few ingredients... It is a Paula Deen Recipe

Can you post or PM the recipe? I have looked everywhere for a mac n cheese crockpot recipe. I've also love a mashed potato crockpot recipe if anyone has one.

 

[branv]

That's funny, I was coming here to post I like Paula Deen's recipe "Wayne's Beef Macaroni and Cheese". Oh that Paula!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/waynes-beef-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html

I really like this recipe, though I don't use peppers and I mix some of the cheese into the interior of the casserole. Mmmmm...cheesy.

BTW: another good dish to bring is her "Not Yo' Mamas Banana Pudding." It is also the BOMB, and I don't even like bananas let alone banana pudding. It's a heart clogger though.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/not-yo-mamas-banana-pudding-recipe/index.html

 

[HeatherC]

Sauteed apples in a crockpot always seem to be a hit here.

Just peel and slice a bunch of apples like granny smith or macs. Sautee in 1/4 cup butter for a few minutes. Add 2tsp cornstarch to 1 cup of water and add to apples. Also add 1/2 cup brown sugar and cinnamon to taste. Throw in crockpot and keep warm.

 

[Cjmuma]

I have followed her recipe to the letter, and then fiddled.. THis is my fiddled recipe - I make a double recipe in a 5 quart for pot-lucks, so this is the already doubled recipe.

5 cups elbow mac cooked
5 cups shredded sharp cheddar
2 cans cream of cheddar soup
2 cups milk ( i use 2%)
1 cup sour cream

Cook pasta - while still hot add that plus all other ingredients to crock pot and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If it gets too dry, add more milk.
Enjoy!

 

[Cjmuma]

P.S.
there is nothing in the world better than the crock pot liners - priceless IMO!

 

[bzkds]

I just took this last week, there was none left to bring home.

Pineapple casserole

Mix 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup flour

Mix 2 20oz cans drained crushed pineapple with 1 cup shredded cheddar, add the sugar/flour and stir well. Place into casserole dish.

Melt 1 stick butter and mix with 1 sleeve crushed crackers (I use Ritz), sprinkle over top of pineapple.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, until lightly browned on top.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

I just took this last week, there was none left to bring home.

Pineapple casserole

Mix 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup flour

Mix 2 20oz cans drained crushed pineapple with 1 cup shredded cheddar, add the sugar/flour and stir well. Place into casserole dish.

Melt 1 stick butter and mix with 1 sleeve crushed crackers (I use Ritz), sprinkle over top of pineapple.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, until lightly browned on top.

Mmm, had this a few months ago at a pot luck and it was so YUMMY !! Sounds kinda weird, but tastes soooo good.

 

[singnring]

This is my traditional potluck dish:

Mix (1) large can refried beans and about 1/4 cup salsa (makes the beans spread easier).
Spread bean mixture into bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.
Smooth 16 ozs of sour cream over beans.
Spread reminder of jar of salsa over sour cream.
Top with a layer of Shredded lettuce, followed by a a layer of Diced fresh tomato, and finally, a layer of finely shredded mild cheddar cheese.
Serve with tortilla chips.

I take this to every potluck I attend and there is never any left. Always a favorite and so fast and simple to make!!

 

[kellia]

Those all sound great, thanks!! And keep any others you have coming!

 

[maggieusa]

bump

 

[teddygurlkeekee]

I have a dessert that everyone ALWAYS loves and its soooo good and easy! (I hate to cook). I call it Pumpkin Stuff, and its alot like an upside down Pumpkin Pie..but better! Things you will need:
-1 can of ALREADY SPICED pumkin filling (you use the size that goes best for how much you make..)
- read the directions on the back of the Pumpkin filling can and get whatever is needed (evaporated milk and eggs)
- white cake mix
- butter

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Follow the directions on the back of the pumpkin filling and mix ingriedients
3. Pour ingriedients into baking pan - size your choice.
4. Pour DRY white cake mix on top of pumpkin filling until it covers entire pan.
5. Pour melted butter over white cake mix until mostly covered (doest have to be completely covered, but you decide how much butter on top to make it golden brown)
6. cook for 30-40 minutes.. or until golden brown on top.

It can be served hot or cold and I guarantee it will be the hit!!