12 potluck recipes that never cost me more than $10 to make

When you’ve got a crowd to feed, potlucks can sneak up on your grocery bill if you’re not paying attention. But some recipes are reliably cheap, even when you’re feeding a dozen people. Over time, I’ve figured out which ones always land on the table hot, don’t get picked over, and don’t take a cart full of ingredients to pull off.

These all come in under $10 total—even with current prices—and they’re easy enough to throw together the day-of without any stress.

Cheesy Baked Ziti

A box of pasta, a jar of sauce, and a block of mozzarella goes a long way. Layer it all in a pan and bake until bubbly. You can toss in Italian seasoning or a little ground meat if your budget allows.

This one always disappears fast and fills a lot of plates. You don’t need ricotta or fancy sauce to make it work. As long as there’s enough cheese on top, people are going to come back for seconds.

Ranch Pasta Salad

Boil some rotini, rinse with cold water, and toss with a bottle of ranch, shredded cheese, frozen peas, and bacon bits. You can make a big batch in less than 15 minutes.

It’s cold, easy to scoop, and surprisingly filling. You don’t need a homemade dressing or expensive add-ins to make this one a hit. It’s cheap, repeatable, and always gets eaten.

Cornbread Casserole

Grab two boxes of Jiffy, a can of corn, creamed corn, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Mix it all in one bowl, bake it in a 9×13, and you’re done.

This feeds a crowd, holds up well on a buffet, and costs next to nothing. It works as a side or a main, especially if there’s chili or barbecue on the table. Total win for under ten bucks.

Deviled Eggs

A dozen eggs, mayo, mustard, and a little seasoning—nothing fancy. Boil, peel, slice, and mash the yolks with your mix-ins before piping them back in.

People always grab them before anything else. Eggs are still one of the cheapest proteins you can buy, and this tray disappears faster than most meat-heavy options.

Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

Grab a bag of frozen meatballs, barbecue sauce, and grape jelly. Dump it all in the slow cooker and let it go for a few hours until everything’s coated and sticky.

This costs under $10 if you grab store-brand meatballs and sauce. You don’t need to stand over a stove or prep anything complicated. These are perfect for a hands-off potluck option.

Sheet Pan Nachos

Tortilla chips, canned beans, shredded cheese, and maybe some jalapeños or salsa on the side. Spread it on a pan, bake until melty, and serve warm.

It’s budget-friendly and still feels fun. You can skip the meat and nobody will care. It fills up the table fast and doesn’t need utensils, which makes cleanup easier too.

Dump Cake

All you need is a box of cake mix, a can of crushed pineapple, a can of cherry pie filling, and some butter. Dump it all in a pan, bake, and bring it warm.

People always think it took more effort than it did. It costs less than $10 for the whole thing, and you don’t even need eggs or oil. Easy, affordable, and crowd-pleasing.

Cream Cheese Salsa Dip

One block of cream cheese, one jar of salsa, and a bag of shredded cheese. Melt it all in a pot or slow cooker until creamy. Serve with chips.

This one’s always a hit, especially for casual get-togethers. It’s rich, warm, and takes no prep. If you catch a sale, you can even double it and still stay under budget.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Elbow pasta, shredded cheese, butter, and milk. You don’t need anything fancy—just layer it in a pan and bake until it bubbles and browns on top.

It travels well and still tastes good after sitting out a bit. You can make it for under $10 if you use block cheese and skip the extra mix-ins. It’s one of those sides people always pile high.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Melt peanut butter and corn syrup (or marshmallows), stir in cereal, and press into a greased pan. Let them cool and slice before serving.

They’re sweet, easy to eat, and don’t melt like chocolate desserts tend to. The ingredients are cheap, especially if you buy off-brand. It’s a reliable option when you don’t want to mess with the oven.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes

Use frozen hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheese, and seasoning. Dump it all in the crockpot and let it cook low and slow.

This one is pure comfort food. It makes a big batch, stays warm, and pairs with pretty much anything else at a potluck. Total cost stays low if you skip brand-name ingredients.

Banana Pudding

Layer vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, Nilla wafers, and whipped topping. It looks more impressive than it is, and it all comes from boxes or cans.

It’s cold, creamy, and people always go back for more. If you get the store brand versions of everything, you can easily keep this under $10—and still come home with an empty dish.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.