What is an easy, but still tasty dish for a novice to bring to a potluck?

Question

Well… title pretty much says it all. I am a 21-year-old guy with absolutely NO cooking skills at all. It is my own fault really because I have not taken any initiative in doing it (although I love to eat…haha!) so luckily my activities and metabolism keep me slim. Besides, I stay on campus anyways, so I eat out like every night. Nevertheless, a good friend of mine has invited me to a potluck in 3 days and as you know, I should bring a dish. Therefore, can anyone of you give me any ideas (and if you’re really nice instructions too) on how to make something simple, easy but also delicious? It can be a cooked or chilled thing, as long as it is good and easy.

If not, I will have to beg my mom to make me something that I can take. LOL! However, thought I would take the imitative now and give cooking a try, so any help would be great. Thanks! <:o)

Answer 1

I'm not a great cook either, but there is one simple thing I can make: AntiPasta Salad

1 lb pkg of corkscrew noodles
1/4 lb of pepperoni, torn up into small piece
1 thing of cherry tomoatoes, halved
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 small can of sliced black olives
1 pkg of cubed chedder cheese
1 bottle of italian salad dressing

Cook the noodles, allow them to cool. Add all of the ingredients above. Stir real good. Add some cracked pepper. Refrigerate overnight.

It's REALLY good.

Answer 2

Okay there's two things I would suggest, both easy to make.

Wings:
Buy a bag of frozen chicken wings and a bottle of blue cheese. Heat wings place on platter with a small dish in the middle filled w/ blue cheese.

Onion Roasted Potatoes:
(I always add more than 4 potatoes like 6 cut up in 1 inch squares)
1 envelope Lipton® Recipe Secrets® Onion Soup Mix

4 all-purpose potatoes, cut into large chunks (about 2 lbs.)

1/3 cup vegetable oil


1. In large bowl, toss all ingredients until evenly coated.

2. In 13 x 9-inch baking or roasting pan, arrange potatoes.

3. Bake at 425°, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.VARIATIONS: Try substituting 2 sweet potatoes for 2 all-purpose potatoes. OR...stir in 1 tsp. each of garlic powder and soy sauce.

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 5 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 40 Minute(s)


Good Luck

Answer 3

Pasta is easy to make.

Lasagna

Follow the directions on the box of lasagna noodles:

It's easier to use the no cook noodles so you don't have to boil them first. Ronzoni has an easy recipe on the package.

You can make meat or cheese varieties. You layer the noodles, then the cheese or meat, cover with sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella and grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until firm.

Easier:

Cook a 1 lb. box of shells, ziti, or penne to the al dente stage. Drain well. Mix 2-3 cups of ricotta cheese into the pasta and top with your favorite spaghetti sauce and cheeses as above in lasagna recipe. Bake (350 degrees) in casserole dish for 20-25 minutes until the mixture is bubbly.

Easiest:

Chef's Salad:

Buy several bags of prepared lettuce. Add in sliced radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, etc. Cut thin strips of deli meat (turkey, ham and roast beef) and cheese (Swiss, cheddar, etc). to top the salad. Add olives as a garnish if you like.

Refrigerate until time to leave for the potluck. Use a bottle of vinaigrette dressing to toss the salad at the gathering.

Answer 4

Buffalo Wing Dip

16 oz. Blue Cheese Dressing
16 oz. Cream Cheese
12 oz. Frank's Buffalo Wing Sauce
16 oz. Canned Chicken or 1 Package of Perdue ShortCuts

Blend Blue Cheese and Cream Cheese
Mix in Buffalo Wing Sauce
Add Chicken
Put in Pyrex (or another baking dish) and bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes

Bring some Celery Sticks to dip with. It rocks!!

Answer 5

I would say almost any casserole. They are SO easy. If you give me a minute, I'll look through my personal recipes and see if I can find a really really simple one for you.... Hold on!

Edit: Okay, this one is by far the most simple one that I have.. It is SUPER easy.

Ranch Medley Casserole
1 bag (1 lb) Frozen Mixed Veggies (Broccoli, Carrots & Cauliflower)
2 cups potatoes (buy a bag of frozen cut up potatoes of any sort)
2 cups diced ham (just buy a small pre-cooked ham and cut it up into bit sized pieces, it just takes a few minutes)
1 cup Alfredo Sauce (any kind, ragu is inexpensive)
3/4 cup Ranch Dressing (any kind)

Basically mix all of that up and toss it into a 13x9 inch standard baking dish.

now, mix 23 round crackers (ritz) (chrush up the crackers first) with two tablespoons of butter.

sprinkle it over the top of the casserole and toss it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

It's awsome because it tastes fantastic and is so easy, takes about 15 minutes to prepare, but people will think that you spent a lot more time on it.

Answer 6

A cold pasta salad is easy, and almost no cooking involved. I don't measure, just go by eye & taste. I make a big batch in the summer (when it's too hot to cook), and keep it in a big dutch oven in the fridge. (Also cheaper than eating out every night.)

Boil & drain tri-color rotini pasta (spiral), drain. Add mayo, sliced black olives, peas, 1-2 cans drained flaked tuna or shrimp, chopped onions, halved cherry tomatoes, s&p. Sprinkle some fresh grated Parmesan over the top, if you like. Mix everything together in a large bowl, cover & refrigerate until your ready to go.

Here's another idea:

Caprese Pasta Salad

1 ¼ pound cherry tomatoes, cut in half
10 ounces fresh mozzarella (preferably small-sized), cut in bite-size pieces
1 small bunch basil, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, sliced
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound penne
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

In a large bowl (large enough to contain the pasta), place the tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic, basil and drizzle with half of the olive oil. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add salt and the penne. Cook according to package instructions. Drain and run cold water over the pasta. Once the pasta is cooled, drain well again removing excess water. Pour into the bowl with the tomato and mozzarella mixture. Add the rest of the olive oil (you may need to add more if pasta looks too dry), season with salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Keep in the refrigerator for ½ hour before serving.

Answer 7

Potato pancakes are easy to travel with
shred potatoes with cheese grater, mix into eggs...like one egg for every three potatoes....little salt an pepper. Some people add milk.
Use flour to keep it from sticking to your hands while form into small "cakes"...fry or saute in butter (or oil) until golden brown on both sides. You can even bake em...just oil and lightly flour the baking sheet first.
this is Irish and Hebrew traditional meals so both cultures do it different.
I make them because they are fast. I am going off of memory and i'm sure you can find better recipes online.

Answer 8

This is easy, but does require some prep work. (It's easy prep work though!) Fairly inexpensive, too.

Spaghetti Pie

1 16 oz. box spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 26 oz. jar spaghetti sauce (any brand/flavor)
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 c. sour cream
4 green onions, sliced thinly
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 X 9 baking dish with Pam and set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well, and spread evenly in baking dish. Set aside.

Meanwhile, brown your ground beef and onion in a large frying pan. When done, drain thoroughly and return to pan. Add chopped bell pepper and spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.

While this is cooking, mix your cream cheese, sour cream and green onions well and spread evenly over your spaghetti in the baking dish.

When the sauce is done, pour it evenly over the spaghetti and cheese mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for 15 minutes longer, until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

I know this seems like a lot of work, but it really IS good. It's the cream cheese mixture, I think. People will ask you for this recipe. You can bake it the night before and the next day, just microwave it. It allows the flavors to meld overnight and tastes even better the next day. Heats up well in the microwave.

Answer 9

try this... VERY, VERY YUMMY... taco salad...
you will need:... you can double or triple the ingredients for the amount of people that are going to be there...
1 lb of ground beef
2 cups shredded cheese... i use krafts mexican cheese mix...
1 packet ortega taco seasoning
1/2 head of lettuce shredded
2 tomatoes... completely optional...
1 bag of doritos nacho cheese tortilla chips... crush 'em...
salsa... optional... to be put on the side for an optional topping
sour cream...optional...to be put on the side for an optional topping




you want to brown the beef in a frying pan... on medium heat... following the directions on the taco seasoning packet... in a large salad bowl... mix the lettuce, crushed doritos, optional tomotoes... after the beef is cooked turn off stove, add the cheese, then once the cheese is mixed, put the beef and cheese in with the salad mixture... put some extra cheese on top... and serve with the salsa and sour cream on the side... for those who don't like either...

Answer 10

Take a cucumber salad, very tasty, SUPER easy, very economical, done in not time, hardly any cooking required.....I promise. Just double the recipe at the site below.