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Easy Potluck Recipes

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Pound-Cake Tiramisu
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Pound-Cake Tiramisu

Whether you’re in charge of bringing a small bite, a main dish, or a sweet ending, these impressive (and impressively simple) potluck solutions will be the star of the spread. All of these dishes can be made ahead are delicious served room temperature, so the first guest will be just as happy as the last.

Store-bought pound cake replaces ladyfingers in this recipe, cutting prep time down to just 15 minutes. Brush the cake with coffee and a touch of rum, then layer with shaved chocolate and a light cream-cheese mixture for a quick and easy take on a classic that can be prepared ahead and travels well.

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Roasted-Garlic Bread
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Roasted-Garlic Bread

This crunchy and savory garlic bread is a snap to make and tastes great at room temperature. For the easiest transport, wrap the unsliced warm bread in tin foil and cut just before serving.

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Dijon Potato Salad
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Dijon Potato Salad

With only five ingredients -- Dijon mustard, white-wine vinegar, olive oil, parsley and potatoes (plus salt and pepper) -- you can probably whip up this easy salad with what's in your kitchen. A big handful of chopped fresh parsley adds color and fresh flavor to the mix.

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Lemon Cream Pie
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Lemon Cream Pie

Egg yolks and sour cream thicken the tart lemon filling of this classic pie. Unflavored gelatin stabilizes the sweetened whipped-cream topping, so the pie can be assembled a day in advance.

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Black Beans and Sausage
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Black Beans and Sausage

Canned black beans and kielbasa (or any other smoked sausage you choose) make a hearty meal. This quick recipe can be made up to two days ahead and reheated gently before serving. Top each portion of stew with chopped parsley and a dollop of plain yogurt.

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Leek Tart
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Leek Tart

Store-bought frozen pastry makes the buttery base for this colorful finger food. Make the crust up to a day ahead, and for the neatest presentation, cut into pieces just before serving.

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Antipasti Pasta Salad Photo: Petrina Tinslay
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Antipasti Pasta Salad

This salad features the flavors of a traditional Italian antipasti platter, mixed with spiral-shaped pasta. Salami, mozzarella cheese, green olives, and jarred red peppers are called for, but feel free to add or substitute other ingredients, including tuna, provolone, anchovies, artichoke hearts, capers, or marinated mushrooms.

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Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears
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Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears

Maple syrup sweetens the no-bake filling of this easy cheesecake, which can be prepared up to one day ahead. Brush thin slices of pear with more maple syrup and broil until caramelized to make the decorative topping, which should be added just before serving.

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Butternut Squash Baked Risotto
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Butternut Squash Baked Risotto

Baking this risotto frees you from the endless stirring usually required, leaving only 20 minutes of prep time. Kale and butternut squash add nutrition and substance to this one-pot vegetarian main course. To save time, cut up the squash earlier in the week and refrigerate it in a resealable plastic bag.

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Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread
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Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread

This easy, sophisticated dip is a simple combination of cream cheese, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts. It is delicious served with crackers, bread, or apple and pear wedges. Rub the sliced fruit with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Make this spread up to one week in advance.

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Beet Salad with Arugula and Oranges
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Beet Salad with Arugula and Oranges

Beets add not only bright-red color to this arugula side salad but also lots of nutrition. Peeling and cutting the beets into small pieces reduces their cooking time, and they can be roasted up to a day in advance. To bring this salad to a potluck, pack arugula, oranges, beets, pistachio, and dressing in separate containers and toss everything together to serve.

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Herb-Cheese Palmiers
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Herb-Cheese Palmiers

A classic French pastry gets the savory treatment with Parmesan, cheddar, and your choice of fresh herbs. Form them by folding up a sheet of puff pastry and then cutting it into thin slices.

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Roast Beef with Cabbage, Squash, and Carrots

Carrots, red cabbage, and butternut squash cook alongside a top loin roast in this great potluck main dish. If there are any leftovers, take them home and enjoy them in roast beef sandwiches or soup.

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Orange, Fennel, and Olive Salad with Red-Pepper Flakes

Sliced orange, fennel bulb, and tiny Nicoise olives are tossed in a spicy lemon dressing. To bring to a potluck, prepare the ingredients ahead and combine them just before serving.

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Chocolate Bread Pudding
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Chocolate Bread Pudding

Rich and custardy, bread pudding is even better with semisweet chocolate mixed in. Cinnamon-raisin bread adds even more flavor to this pudding, but any bread will work. Serve this warm, room temperature, or cold. To chill, let cool completely, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.

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Chicken with Couscous and Orange
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Chicken with Couscous and Orange

Get this impressive main dish in a bowl and out the door in a flash by using a supermarket rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking couscous. Fresh mint leaves, chopped navel orange, and toasted pistachios give this meal a fresh and unique flavor.

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Fig Crumble Bars
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Fig Crumble Bars

Combine flour, sugar, and butter in a food processor to make quick work of the dough that forms both the crust and the streusel topping for these easy bar cookies. Put the food processor to work again to puree the filling, made from dried figs, apple juice, and lemon zest. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 5 days.

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Artichoke-Parmesan Crostini
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Artichoke-Parmesan Crostini

Marinated artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, and parsley are easy ingredients to keep on hand to make this easy appetizer anytime. To bring to a potluck, prepare the toast and topping ahead and assemble just before serving. These crostini are delicious at room temperature, but can also be broiled for a few minutes so the cheese melts.

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Spicy Pulled Pork
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Spicy Pulled Pork

This pulled pork is extra tender thanks to hours of slow cooking in a spicy tomato sauce. This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, so bring it to a potluck dinner for a main dish that's sure to delight. To transport it, secure the lid of the slow cooker; plug it in once you arrive to keep the pulled pork warm.

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