16 Healthy Fall Potluck Recipes That Could Pass as Comfort Food (2024)

These fall potluck recipes will keep your healthy eating goals intact, even at a tailgate or fall party. Our collection includes barbecued ribs, potato salad, and even macaroni and cheese, all of which feature ingredients or swaps that are better for you. You're definitely going to find a dish worth sharing.

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Apricot Chipotle Pork Ribs

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16 Healthy Fall Potluck Recipes That Could Pass as Comfort Food (1)

Sweet apricots temper smoky chipotle peppers to give these ribs a seriously layered flavor that's not for the faint of heart. Each serving of this healthy fall potluck dish packs in 25 grams of protein, but only 314 calories.

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Soft Pretzels

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16 Healthy Fall Potluck Recipes That Could Pass as Comfort Food (2)

Put a twist on traditional potluck ideas with a batch of homemade pretzels. Everyone will love the soft, doughy texture and the sprinkling of seeds or salt on top.

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Low-Sugar Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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Serve up a tray of saucy pulled pork sandwiches at your fall gathering. This healthy slow cooker recipe features a homemade barbecue sauce that's naturally sweetened with Medjool dates. To keep the whole menu healthy and delicious, we're also including the recipe for our whole-wheat hamburger buns.

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Chicken Bratwurst and Onions with Broccoli Slaw Salad

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Everyone loves sinking their teeth into a juicy bratwurst, so you'll be the most popular person at the party when you bring these brats topped with tangy slaw. Did we mention it's made in a slow cooker?

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Four-Cheese Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

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16 Healthy Fall Potluck Recipes That Could Pass as Comfort Food (5)

Believe it or not, this cheesy masterpiece has only 266 calories per serving. Mashed butternut squash gives this recipe a boost of antioxidants, while giving every bite a creamier texture and comforting fall flavor.

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French Chopped Salad

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Inspired by salade Niçoise, our veggie-loaded chopped salad recipe is a healthy option for your fall potluck. We love the combination of protein-packed eggs and olives, romaine, and tender potatoes in this healthy potluck side. But can totally toss in your favorite vegetables—there's no need to stick strictly to our list of ingredients.

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Fruited Multigrain Pilaf

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This healthy fall potluck recipe hits the whole-grain jackpot. A combination of wheat berries, pearled farro (or barley), and wild rice come together with dried cranberries, sweet potatoes, apples, and celery. Toasted walnuts add a boost of omega-3s and irresistible crunch.

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Potato Salad with Sausage and Grainy Mustard Dressing

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Potato salad is a must at any potluck, and we love our recipe with tangy coarse-grain mustard and a splash of cider vinegar. Cured sausage adds savory flavor, but each serving has just 199 calories.

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Orange-Sage Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

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16 Healthy Fall Potluck Recipes That Could Pass as Comfort Food (9)

Take advantage of sweet potato season and turn them into a healthy side dish for your next fall potluck. Tangy orange juice, earthy sage, and crisp bacon really give every bite the perfect balance of flavor.

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Spinach-Artichoke Dip with Blue Cheese and Bacon

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Creamy spinach-artichoke dip is a classic party-starter. Studded with bacon and tangy blue cheese, our slimmed-down recipe has mighty flavor. Pack some baked pita chips to complete this appetizer.

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Hamburger Cheese Bake

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Warm, melty, and hearty, this skinny casserole recipe features three kinds of cheese, but it will cost you only 311 calories per serving. The healthy duo of lean ground beef and simple seasonings keeps this fall potluck food light.

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Caramel Apple Cookies

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If you love sweet-tart caramel apples, wait until you try the cookie version. We use whole-wheat flour, raisins, and walnuts to get some extra fiber into this healthy potluck dessert.

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Spicy Apple-Glazed Meatballs

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Lighten up a batch of meatballs by using lean ground beef and a homemade sauce. The sweet and tangy apple glaze in this recipe has a hint of heat from cayenne pepper.

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Coconut Sweet Potatoes and Wild Rice

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Here's something healthy but a bit offbeat for your fall potluck. Please everyone with heaping bowls of our globally-inspired sweet potato casserole. Coconut and curry liven up the vitamin-packed duo of sweet potatoes and edamame.

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Sloppy Turkey and Veggie Sandwiches

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Ground turkey, chopped vegetables, and seasoned tomatoes unite to make this easy, healthy potluck recipe a whole lot better. A dollop of our tangy goat cheese yogurt sauce is a fresh alternative to store-bought condiments.

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Cassava Pumpkin Muffins

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For gluten-free and/or paleo diet potluck attendees, try bringing these pumpkin-filled delights. In this grain-free recipe, cassava flour (made from yuca root) is a substitute for wheat flour, and pure maple syrup is used instead of refined sugar, so it meets Paleo diet requirements.

16 Healthy Fall Potluck Recipes That Could Pass as Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›

What to Bring to a Potluck
  1. Greek Potato Salad. ...
  2. Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing. ...
  3. Vegan Creamy Coleslaw. ...
  4. Apple, Bacon and Sweet Potato Mini Casseroles. ...
  5. Classic Lasagna. ...
  6. Roasted Brussels Sprout & Butternut Squash Salad. ...
  7. Baked Oatmeal With Banana, Raisins & Walnuts. ...
  8. Spinach & Mushroom Quiche.
Mar 28, 2023

What is a meal where everyone brings a dish to pass? ›

A potluck is a communal gathering where each guest or group contributes a different, often homemade, dish of food to be shared.

What to bring to a potluck last minute? ›

Last-Minute Appetizers
  • 5-Minute Taco Dip. Sour cream, cheese cheese, and taco seasoning make up the creamy base of this fast taco dip. ...
  • Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce. ...
  • 5-Minute Black Bean Dip. ...
  • Pimento Cheese. ...
  • Antipasto Platter. ...
  • Caprese Salad. ...
  • Broccoli Salad. ...
  • Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake.
Nov 29, 2023

What do you bring to a lunch potluck? ›

Our Best Potluck Recipe Ideas Of All Time
  • 01 of 30. Ham Delights. ...
  • 02 of 30. Macaroni And Cheese. ...
  • 03 of 30. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. ...
  • 04 of 30. Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs. ...
  • 05 of 30. Broccoli, Grape, And Pasta Salad. ...
  • 06 of 30. Classic Potato Salad. ...
  • 07 of 30. Strawberry Dump Cake. ...
  • 08 of 30. Hot Corn Dip.
Jul 22, 2023

What is a good finger food to bring to a potluck? ›

Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
  • Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. Guests of any age will appreciate mac and cheese bites — especially when they're fried! ...
  • Deviled Eggs. ...
  • Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
  • Garlic Breadsticks. ...
  • Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
  • Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
  • Vietnamese Spring Rolls. ...
  • Deli Pinwheels.
Jan 10, 2024

What is the best dish to bring to a potluck? ›

Easy Potluck Recipes
  • Cowboy Caviar. Cowboy Caviar is a deliciously fresh bean salad with a colorful mix of beans and vegetables, plus a zesty lime dressing. ...
  • Turkey Pinwheels. ...
  • Macaroni Salad. ...
  • Easy Homemade Cornbread Recipe. ...
  • Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad. ...
  • Homemade Lasagna. ...
  • Homemade Chili Recipe. ...
  • Baked Spaghetti with Sausage.
May 26, 2023

What is a dish to pass? ›

This North American noun describes a particular type of meal, sometimes called a "covered-dish-supper" or a "dish-to-pass." If someone asks you to come to a potluck or a potluck supper, you'll want to be sure you don't arrive empty-handed.

Do you pass bread to the left or right? ›

If the bread arrives pre-sliced or in rolls, it should be passed around the table to the right. However, if the bread needs to be cut (see above), the one who cuts the bread should offer it to the person on their left and then pass to the right.

What is a passed appetizer? ›

But a passed hors-d'oeuvres dinner party allows your guests to try a plethora of small plates without ever needing plates—and at the end of the night, the only dishes to wash are the trays on which you've served each treat.

Can I go to a potluck without bringing food? ›

Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable

These go hand-in-hand since the food is brought and eaten by the guests themselves. It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no.

Does potluck have to be homemade? ›

If you don't have time to cook, there's a world of store-bought food that is acceptable to bring to a potluck. Cheese and crackers, a veggie tray from the produce section or a box of cookies from the in-house bakery are all good options. Make a label.

How do you make a potluck interesting? ›

One thing you can do to make a potluck more fun is to have a theme. It could be a place or an era in history, or maybe a popular movie or something. Another thing that makes potlucks better is if someone kind of coordinates what people are bringing to some degree, so you don't wind up with 6 salads and no main dish.

Is it rude to not bring anything to a potluck? ›

Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable

These go hand-in-hand since the food is brought and eaten by the guests themselves. It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no.

What food should a guest bring to a party? ›

What dishes should you bring to a party?
  • Party vol-au-vents. Despite the trend for mini burgers, individual bowls of stew and other such bijou party food, retro vol-au-vents are a timeless classic. ...
  • Pies. ...
  • Salads and sides. ...
  • Terrine and pâté ...
  • Infused vodka. ...
  • Pulled pork. ...
  • Pastry bites. ...
  • Big dishes.

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