These potluck-ready recipes are perfect for your church's next spaghetti dinner. We have yummy ideas for sauces, garlic bread, pasta bakes, dinner rolls and more.
40 Vintage Church Spaghetti Dinner Recipes
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Slow-Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs
I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and this dish is still one that guests request frequently. It is my No. 1 standby recipe and also makes amazing meatball sandwiches. The sauce works for any type of pasta. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
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Italian Pinwheel Rolls
Parmesan cheese, garlic and oregano make these rolls hard to resist. My family gets hungry when they smell them baking and can't wait for them to be done. —Patricia FitzGerald, Candor, New York
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That Good Salad
Toss together this simple salad recipe whenever dinner needs a super quick side of greens. Bright, crunchy and refreshing, the simple green salad will complete any meal.
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Focaccia Barese
This focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois
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Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs
My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor’s so good, you won’t miss the extra calories. —Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts
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Best Lasagna
What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
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Walnut Cookies
These walnut cookies combine a rich, nutty flavor with a tender and buttery texture. Perfect for any occasion, they can be easily adapted to gluten-free.
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Perfect Dinner Rolls
These rolls melt in your mouth. I loved them as a child, and I'm happy to make them for my kids because I know I am creating those same wonderful memories my mom made for me! —Gayleen Grote, Battle View, North Dakota
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Favorite Baked Spaghetti
This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
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Canning Spaghetti Sauce
Canning spaghetti sauce is a delicious way to preserve garden-fresh tomatoes. Here's how to can spaghetti sauce in a water bath—no pressure canner required.
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Herb-Happy Garlic Bread
You'll love the fresh garlic and herbs in this recipe. The mild goat cheese that’s sprinkled on top makes it extra rich and wonderful. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Short Rib Ragu
This rich, hearty short rib ragu is made in the slow cooker. The tomato-wine sauce is decadent, and the short ribs are so tender you can cut them with a fork.
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Lemon Ricotta Cake
This lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
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Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni
To make this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
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Easy Batter Rolls
The first thing my guests ask when they come for dinner is if I'm serving these dinner rolls. The buns are so light, airy and delicious—and help make the meal. —Thomasina Brunner, Gloversville, New York
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Spaghetti Sauce Without Meat
Ditch the store-bought marinara for this spaghetti sauce without meat. You can prepare a batch to toss on pasta, eggplant Parmesan or a pizza.
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Honeydew & Prosciutto Salad
For parties, I turn melon and prosciutto into an easy salad with a honey mustard dressing. To add zip, stir in fresh basil and mint. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
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Herbed Bread Twists
A blend of herbs and a special shape dress up ordinary frozen bread dough in this unbelievably easy recipe. —Deb Stapert, Comstock Park, Michigan
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Beef Bolognese with Linguine
After much research, tasting and tweaking, I finally came up with this beef bolognese recipe that is based on a dish from an Italian restaurant where I worked. It’s perfect for feeding a house full of guests. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
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Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
People go wild over this golden, garlicky loaf whenever I serve it. There’s intense flavor in every bite. —Carol Shields, Summerville, Pennsylvania
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Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce
My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona
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Make-Ahead Lasagna
This is an old standby when time’s limited and guests are expected for dinner. It’s a combination of several easy lasagna recipes I have tried over the years. —Mary Grimm, Williamsburg, Iowa
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Garlic Bread Mini Muffins
These little garlic bread bites make a terrific addition to any buffet spread. We make sure to serve them warm. —Kathy Yarosh, Apopka, Florida
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Zippy Spaghetti Sauce
This thick and hearty sauce goes a long way to satisfy my hungry family. They enjoy any leftovers ladled over thick slices of grilled garlic bread. To make sure I have the ingredients on hand, I keep a bag of chopped green pepper in my freezer and minced garlic in my fridge—always! —Elaine Priest, Dover, Pennsylvania
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Potluck Pan Rolls
The appealing homemade yeast-bread flavor of these golden rolls is unbeatable. Soft and light, they're great alongside any entree. Folks are disappointed if I don't bring them to potluck dinners. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
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Stuffed Pasta Shells
These savory shells never fail to make a big impression, even though the recipe is very easy. One or two of these shells makes a great individual serving at a potluck, so a single batch goes a long way. —Jena Coffey, St. Louis, Missouri
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Baked Spaghetti with Cream of Mushroom Soup
Being cheesy is a good thing when you're talking about baked spaghetti with cream of mushroom soup. It's cozy, cheesy and promises lots of leftovers.
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Chive Garlic Bread
A purchased loaf of French bread gets a real boost with a few simple ingredients. Garlic and chives make the savory slices irresistible. Along with lasagna or other Italian meal, we munch them until the last crumbs have vanished! —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania
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Sausage Lasagna
The idea for this sausage lasagna recipe comes from my mother-in-law, who always makes it for my three boys on special holidays. I’ve put an easy twist on Carole’s classic dish, and it’s become one of my go-to dinners as well! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VA
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Spinach-Orzo Salad with Chickpeas
The first version of this salad was an experiment in mixing together some random ingredients I had on hand. It was a success, and several people at the party asked for the recipe—which meant I had to re-create it! It's healthy, delicious and perfect for warm-weather days. —Glen White, Kissimmee, Florida
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Herb Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
When I couldn't find a recipe for dinner rolls, I created my own using a variety of herbs for extra flavor. —Sue Friesen, Thorold, Ontario
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Easy Stuffed Shells
I threw this recipe together one day when we had unexpected guests. It was an immediate hit and is now a family favorite. Get the kids involved when putting together this simple, savory dish. —Dolores Betchner, Cudahy, Wisconsin
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Confetti Spaghetti
It's not uncommon for folks to go back for second helpings of this hearty main dish when I share it at church potluck suppers. The combination of ground beef, noodles, cheese and a zippy tomato sauce is a crowd-pleaser. —Katherine Moss, Gaffney, South Carolina
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Best Lasagna
What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
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Quick Carbonara
Carbonara is a dinnertime classic, but my version cuts down on the time it takes to make. Loaded with ham, bacon, olives, garlic and Parmesan, it certainly doesn't skimp on flavor. —Carole Martin, Tallahassee, Florida
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White Pizza with Roasted Tomatoes
Like my grandmother taught me, I love using fresh, simple ingredients. In this low-cost recipe, creamy ricotta brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes, all on an onion and herb crust. —Debbie Roppolo, San Marcos, Texas
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Soft Dinner Rolls
These soft dinner rolls are relatively easy to make. Give yourself time to properly knead and rise the dough before baking and you'll have fluffy rolls on your table in no time.
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