Cooking like the good ol’ days is easy with these 13 Southern recipes that bring all the comfort of home. These dishes are full of the kind of flavors that remind you of family gatherings and Sunday dinners. They’re tried-and-true recipes that have been loved for generations. If you’re looking to get back to basics and cook like your grandparents did, these recipes are the perfect place to start.
Oven Baked Ribs
If you’re craving something heartwarming that’s packed with flavor, you’ll find comfort in meticulously prepared ribs that emerge perfectly tender from the oven. Forget waiting for barbecue season; these Oven Baked Ribs bring the heart of Southern cooking right to your kitchen any day of the year. They slowly cook to perfection, developing a rich taste that pulls you in bite after bite.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Ribs
Pecan Bacon Cheeseball
Have you ever wished for a centerpiece that draws everyone in at a gathering? Well, that’s exactly the role of Pecan Bacon Cheeseball, bridging the gap between a casual snack and a conversation starter. With just the right balance of crunch and creaminess, it’s a nod to the simplicity and richness of Southern flavors. This cheeseball is your go-to for potlucks or parties, where it quickly disappears amidst laughter and light chatter.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Bacon Cheeseball
Air Fryer Shrimp
Crispy, golden, and unbelievably quick, this dish capitalizes on modern convenience without losing an ounce of traditional Southern charm. Air Fryer Shrimp turns the tide on dinner time, offering a speedy route to a satisfying meal. You’ll marvel at how such simple cooking can yield such flavorful results, causing a stir at the dining table. It’s the swift answer to a busy weeknight but also holds its own when time is no object.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp
Crockpot Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Who doesn’t appreciate the wonders of a meal that cooks itself while you’re busy elsewhere? Crockpot Slow Cooker Taco Soup is a testament to the convenience and comfort of set-it-and-forget-it meals. Each spoonful is steeped in nostalgia, reminiscent of gatherings and family dinners where everyone is too busy eating to speak. It’s the kind of dish that’s generous in servings and in flavor, proving once more that good things indeed come to those who wait.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Slow Cooker Taco Soup
Hoppin John
Taking you straight to the heart of soul food tradition, this dish is steeped in history and flavor. Hoppin John isn’t just any meal; it’s a cultural staple that pays homage to comfort and simplicity. Serving up this dish is like passing down a story, one that’s been told through generations at countless Southern tables. Whether as the main attraction or a trusty side, it’s a meal that quietly commands respect.
Get the Recipe: Hoppin John
3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This is about welcoming simplicity back to the dinner table with open arms. 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole makes a statement with minimal fuss, focusing on rich flavors and homely comfort. It invites you to appreciate how a few basic components can come together to create a meal that’s both nourishing and heartening. This dish encourages conversation, allowing friends and family to linger a little longer as they spoon out another serving.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Sometimes, nothing quite hits the spot like the crunch of expertly fried chicken. Buttermilk Fried Chicken aims to capture that unmatched comfort you can usually only get from your favorite Southern diner. It’s the dish you turn to when you need reassurance that some classics are timeless for a reason. Each piece alludes to patience and care, the kind of food that invites reflection on simple pleasures.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl
Embrace a complete experience where dish meets utensil, and every element is edible. Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl offers an ingenious way to taste a wholesome soup, with the bread bowl doubling as a hearty accompaniment. This innovation marries convenience with comfort, ensuring no drop goes uneaten. The result is an all-encompassing meal that’s as gratifying to hold as it is to eat, with a homely twist.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bowl
Sweet Potato Casserole
There’s something undeniably comforting about a casserole dish warm from the oven. With Sweet Potato Casserole, you’ll find a rich tapestry of flavors that speaks to the simplicity and soul of the South. It’s the kind of dish that invites you to second helpings without a second thought. It stands out in a spread, offering a sweet and tasty mix that comforts in just the right way. As conversations flow around the family table, so does the casserole.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole
Hot Crab and Pimento Cheese Dip
Combine the allure of seafood with creamy, spicy goodness and what you get is pure social fuel. Hot Crab and Pimento Cheese Dip is the sort of appetizer that doesn’t merely whet your appetite; it becomes the topic of conversation. This is what you present when you want to set a casual yet sophisticated tone for the evening. It’s as if each scoop brings people closer together, building a shared experience one delicious bite at a time.
Get the Recipe: Hot Crab and Pimento Cheese Dip
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Nothing says ‘laid-back’ like meat so tender it practically falls apart with a gentle nudge. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork really is the quiet winner at any casual meet-up, exuding the essence of stress-free cooking. It’s meat that’s been left to transform over hours, becoming something that can turn a simple meal into an event. It caters to the love for slow-cooked, flavor-packed goodness that defines a down-to-earth get-together.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Here’s a sandwich that breaks the rules with bold character and turns a simple lunch into the main event. Introducing Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese, which takes the beloved classic to new heights of indulgence. When these ingredients meet, they create a casual yet deeply gratifying feast, perfect for when you want to treat yourself. It’s the kind of hearty, hands-on meal that doesn’t just fill you up; it fulfills that craving for cozy, soul-food goodness.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese
Tuna Noodle Casserole
When you’re looking for a comforting meal that’s as easy to make as it is to love, turn your attention to a tried and true favorite. The humble Tuna Noodle Casserole stands as a testament to meals that can be both uncomplicated and utterly comforting. It weaves a narrative of ease and nostalgia, taking you back to days when times were simpler, and food was straightforward. It’s the culinary equivalent of a familiar tune that resonates with young and old alike.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole
