8 Potluck Suppers for Your Next Fall or Winter Party
These portable, do-ahead dishes are heavy on autumn and winter flavors and in-season produce.
By Lynn Andriani
An Autumn Mac 'n' Cheese
This twist on the classic pasta-and-cheese dish combines the rich fall flavors of sage and roasted butternut squash. Prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it; just bring it to room temperature before heating.
Get the recipe: Penne Pasta Quattro Formaggi with Butternut Squash and Sage
The Perfect Cool-Weather One-Pot Meal
If you've been charged with bringing a main dish but want to keep costs down, try pork shoulder. The juicy, savory roast is inexpensive and pairs wonderfully with late-autumn flavors. This hearty German stew combines the meat with two types of apples (Granny Smith and Red Delicious), green and red cabbage, and egg noodles.
Get the recipe: German Winter Stew
A Healthy Make-Ahead Dinner
You can make this dish—seared chicken sausages atop a Riesling-infused fennel, leek and cabbage slaw—in the morning and serve it hours later. Just heat it in a low oven beforehand.
Get the recipe: Chicken Sausage with Fennel, Leek and Cabbage Slaw
The Works-for-Any-Course Platter
The beauty of chili is its versatility. It can be an appetizer, a side dish or a main course, depending on how you serve it: with chips, alongside burgers or on its own with plenty of fixings.
Get the recipe: Turkey Chili
Game-Day Ribs
You don't need a grill or any special equipment to make falling-off-the-bone-tender pork ribs; just cook them low and slow. We love this recipe because its minimal ingredient list consists mainly of pantry items like tomato puree and pickled chilies.
Get the recipe: Pork Ribs with Garlic Chilies and Tomato
The Appley, Nutty Main Course Salad
One of the sweetest varieties available, Fuji apples are in season now—but can last five or six months in the fridge. They're the perfect complement to savory roasted chicken and a slightly tangy yogurt-based dressing. Make the salad the night before so the flavors meld.
Get the recipe: Fuji Apple, Walnut and Herb Salad with Roasted Chicken
A Seasonal Side That Goes with (Almost) Anything
Celebrity chef Tyler Florence puts this supereasy slaw (which calls for a bag of precut broccoli slaw mix) on top of barbecued pork sandwiches, but it would be just as tasty with baked ham or cold cuts.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Slaw with Cranberries
The Cool-Weather Version of Grilled Vegetables
Although this recipe suggests using acorn squash, you can substitute butternut, delicata or any other winter squash. The glaze—made with cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup and allspice—will make your house smell like fall.
Get the recipe: Acorn Squash with Cranberry Maple Glaze
Next: Desserts that will make you the most popular guest at the party
Published 11/27/2012
