42 Retro Potluck Recipes to Bring Back
42 Retro Potluck Recipes to Bring Back
Read Time: 19 mins
42 Retro Potluck Recipes to Bring Back
This tangy potato salad stirs memories of my grandma, who made it for us
Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy potato salad stirs memories of my grandma, who made it for us. Now my mom makes it with brats and sauerkraut—truly the best meal! —Devin Mulertt, Cedarburg, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 147 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 3/42 Carrot Cake 68 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Carrot Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1
hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
hour 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This wonderful recipe dates back to my great-grandmother. You will love the texture the cake gets from pineapple, coconut and, of course, carrots! For lighter appetites or to serve more people, cut it into smaller pieces and place them in pretty cupcake liners. —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 819 calories, 49g fat (12g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 91g carbohydrate (72g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. 4/42 Au Gratin Potatoes 166 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple au Gratin Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste
of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These cheesy potatoes are always welcome at our dinner table, and they’re so simple to make. A perfect complement to ham, the versatile, homey side dish also goes well with pork, chicken and other entrees. —Cris O’Brien, Virginia Beach, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 225 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 602mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein. 5/42 Southern Coleslaw 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From
the Recipe Creator: My mother used to make this salad on holidays
the Recipe Creator: My mother used to make this salad on holidays. With all the cabbage that is grown here, this coleslaw recipe is a real natural for us! —Deb Darr, Falls City, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 137 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 6/42 7UP Pound Cake 63 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother gave me my first cake recipe—a pound cake using 7UP—which
her grandmother had given to her
her grandmother had given to her. On top of being delicious, this cake represents family tradition, connection and love. —Marsha Davis, Desert Hot Springs, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 457 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 7/42 Turkey Sloppy Joes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Quick & Easy Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When we were first married and poor college students, I found this sloppy joe recipe and tweaked
The fresh bell peppers give it a wonderful flavor
it. The fresh bell peppers give it a wonderful flavor. —Kallee Twiner, Maryville, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 251 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 8/42 Fluffy Cranberry Mousse 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fluffy Cranberry Mousse Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 20 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a delicious and pretty salad for the holidays, but it’s so good that I serve it at other times, too.
Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty
I got the recipe from a neighbor who had served it with a traditional turkey dinner. —Helen Clement, Hemet, California Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 150 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 37mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 9/42 Thyme-Roasted Carrots 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Thyme-Roasted Carrots Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty. For a little more elegance and color, garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme or parsley. —Deirdre Cox,
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat
Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 2 carrot halves: 73 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 10/42 Rosey Raspberry Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Whenever I make this pretty raspberry salad, people talk! It’s a festive side dish that works well for celebrations throughout the year. —Jane Vanderground, Macedonia, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 145 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol,
66mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein
66mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. 11/42 Potluck Macaroni and Cheese 103 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 2 hours 25 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here’s an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 388 calories, 28g fat (17g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein. 12/42 Overnight Salad 39 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved
The bacon adds a fabulous crunch
ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This layered salad is a family favorite from a church cookbook I’ve had for 40 years. The bacon adds a fabulous crunch. —Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 206 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 13/42 Ambrosia Fruit Salad 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom’s ambrosia salad, with its tasty
While the uncles played cards,
combination of fresh fruits and creamy yogurt, is a family favorite, and a great addition to a backyard barbecue. —Colleen Belbey, Warwick, Rhode Island Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 229 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. 14/42 German Red Cabbage 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved German Red Cabbage Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the
aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe
aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 64 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 15/42 Sauerkraut Casserole 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sauerkraut Casserole Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mom brewed her own sauerkraut and, of course, the cabbage was from our big farm garden! Blending the kraut with spicy
sausage and apples was Mom’s favorite way to fix it, and I still love this country dish. —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 188 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 905mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. 16/42 Potato Salad 89 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Potato Salad Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This homemade potato salad recipe doesn’t have many ingredients, so it isn’t as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama
made it the way her mother did, and that’s the way I still make it today
made it the way her mother did, and that’s the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn’t one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 231 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 17/42 Creamy Blueberry Gelatin Salad 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Plump blueberries and a fluffy topping star in this pretty, refreshing
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Triple Mash with Horseradish Bread Crumbs 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Why settle for traditional mashed potatoes when you can enjoy three times the flavor?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Lime Gelatin Salad 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Lime Gelatin Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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