Home cooks shared their favorite "dish to pass" that they rely on for potlucks, get-togethers and bake sales. The best crowd-pleasing dishes in this list range from casseroles to cakes.
Presenting the Winners from Our Make & Take Recipe Contest
Published on Nov. 11, 2024
1/12
Grand Prize: Chicken & Green Chile Stuffed Shells
Total Time
75 mins
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a family potluck, I was told to bring a pasta casserole. For these events, I usually make a lasagna. To switch things up, I modified my family’s favorite chicken chile lasagna into a stuffed shells dish. The creamy, cheesy recipe is now the new favorite! —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3 stuffed shells: 501 calories, 32g fat (18g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 872mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
2/12
1st Place: Curry Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Total Time
15 mins
Servings
8 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy sandwiches are a step up from your usual chicken salad. The sweet, savory and spicy dish is made with mango chutney, honey and curry powder. —Francine Lizotte, Langley, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 404 calories, 23g fat (4g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
3/12
2nd Place: Chocolate Caramel Crunch Bark
Total Time
20 mins
Servings
2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these decadent chocolate caramel crunch bars and took them to a reunion with my sorority sisters last fall. We all gathered in a cabin in the woods and shared desserts around the fire. These were the perfect easy-to-eat bars. —Theresa Ravencraft, Marysville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 oz. : 130 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
4/12
3rd Place: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce
Total Time
505 mins
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my favorite summer recipe to make for a barbecue. You can set it and forget it, until it’s time to shred it! My son hates traditional barbecue sauce, so I’ve made this white sauce with mayonnaise for many years. —Linsey Bruce-Lefkowitz, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 418 calories, 24g fat (6g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 867mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
5/12
Runner-Up: Banana Cream Shortcake
Total Time
75 mins
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Similar to banana pudding, this banana cream dessert lays on a few extra fixings. It’s sweet, creamy and riddled with chocolate chips! —Jen Pahl, West Allis, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 440 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
6/12
Runner-Up: Chicken Alfredo Twice Baked Potatoes
Total Time
100 mins
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this recipe in response to a challenge from my boss and friend, Sue Stetzel. The challenge was to make an original potato-based dish. I had fettuccine Alfredo on the brain at the time, and from that, this creation was born. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 loaded potato half: 651 calories, 45g fat (23g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 767mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
7/12
Runner-Up: Gremolata Pasta Salad
Total Time
20 mins
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Straying from heavier, mayonnaise-based pasta salads, I created this lighter olive oil-based salad. Lemon juice, feta cheese, garlic and tomatoes brighten up this colorful and bright dish. —Laurie Sisco, Kingsley, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 226 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 90mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
8/12
Runner-Up: Moist Lemon Coconut Cake
Total Time
55 mins
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a devout from scratch baker, but I make an exception when it comes to this perfectly moist and lemony cake. I dressed up cake mixes with my own touches and ended up with delightfully flavored cake squares that are perfect for a party. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 379 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 363mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
9/12
Runner-Up: Lemon Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Total Time
30 mins
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These Sweet Hawaiian rolls filled with a citrusy lemon filling can be served for breakfast, brunch or dessert. They are drizzled with a confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice and milk frosting. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 186 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 126mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
10/12
Runner-Up: Strawberry & Basil Galettes
Total Time
50 mins
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Shaped to resemble strawberries with pointed tips and pleated edges, these galettes are delicious and charmingly rustic, making them perfect for picnics and farmers’ markets. Their individual portions make them easy to enjoy on the go. —Niv Menon-Saberi, Port Elgin, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini galette: 353 calories, 19g fat (12g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 129mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
11/12
Runner-Up: Sweet & Spicy Party Meatballs
Total Time
190 mins
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend served this at a party years ago and I modified the recipe. With apple, peach and apricot preserves these meatballs are sweet and fruity. The addition of Sriracha chili sauce and red pepper flakes adds a spicy heat that makes them irresistible. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 75 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 169mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
12/12
Runner-Up: Vegetable Beef Shepherd’s Pie
Total Time
90 mins
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Shepard’s pie has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. It bakes in just 30 minutes and is packed with veggies like carrots, zucchini, onion and green pepper. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 676 calories, 43g fat (22g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 1024mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein.
