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Comfort food means something different to everybody, but if you grew up in the South, you know exactly what it looks like. It’s a big pot of chicken and dumplings on a cold night, mac and cheese with a golden crust on top, and cornbread that’s still warm from the skillet.

These are the recipes that get requested at every family dinner and passed down without anybody ever writing them on a card. I pulled together all my favorites here, from hearty weeknight suppers to the slow-cooked dishes that are worth every minute of the wait.

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1
A bowl of Southern mashed potatoes with a pat of butter on top.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes made with plenty of cream and just the right amount of salt. They’re the must-have side for Sunday dinner and practically required next to meatloaf or pork chops.
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2
Sliced meatloaf on a white platter.
Southern Meatloaf
Traditional Southern meatloaf with a savory glaze and a tender center. Serve it with mashed potatoes and you’ve got a dinner that never goes out of style.
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3
Slices of pound cake on a plate.
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
A dense, buttery pound cake with cream cheese for extra richness. Serve it plain or with fresh fruit for a dessert that never needs dressing up.
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4
serving dish of cheesy grits
Baked Cheese Grits
Creamy, cheesy grits baked until they're set and golden around the edges. They're perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish at dinner.
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5
Butter beans with bacon and a wooden spoon.
Southern Butter Beans
Tender butter beans simmered low and slow until they’re soft and full of flavor. Simple ingredients, steady cooking, and a side dish that always feels right with cornbread.
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6
Cherry Cream Cheese Pie is a delightfully easy no-bake pie that is perfect year round for any occasion.
Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
A no-bake pie with a sweet cream cheese filling and cherry pie topping in a graham cracker crust. It takes about 10 minutes to put together and is always a crowd-pleaser.
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7
A stack of freshly baked old-fashioned buttermilk biscuits displayed on a cooling rack.
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Flaky, tender biscuits made with cold butter and tangy buttermilk, baked until golden on top and lightly crisp around the edges. Split them open and add butter, jam, or a spoonful of gravy, and you’ve got a staple that belongs on every Southern table.
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8
A close-up of a wooden spoon scooping out a portion of baked corn casserole from a white dish.
Grandma’s Corn Pudding
Soft, slightly sweet corn pudding baked until set and lightly golden on top. It’s somewhere between a side dish and a casserole, and it belongs at every holiday meal.
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9
Chocolate Coca Cola Cake
A rich chocolate sheet cake made with Coca-Cola for extra depth and topped with warm chocolate frosting poured right over the cake. It’s a Southern classic with serious chocolate flavor.
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10
Chicken and dumplings in a white bowl.
Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings
Slow-cooked chicken in a savory broth with soft, hearty dumplings. This is true Southern comfort in a bowl.
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11
A plate with a slice of chess Pie which is an old-fashioned Southern favorite custard-type pie made from a few simple ingredients. It's easy and everyone loves it!
Southern Chess Pie
Simple pantry ingredients come together in this sweet, custard-style pie with a lightly crisp top. It’s a true Southern original.
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12
A round skillet with freshly baked golden Southern cornbread on a gray surface, accompanied by a folded white cloth.
Buttermilk Cornbread
Classic skillet cornbread made with tangy buttermilk and baked until crisp around the edges. Serve it with beans, greens, or chili.
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13
Cream of mushroom pork chop on a plate.
Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops
Baked pork chops in a creamy mushroom sauce that turns into its own gravy. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that feels familiar and satisfying.
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14
Baked apple crisp with no-oats topping on a white plate.
Apple Crisp Without Oats
Baked apples tucked under a buttery, crumbly topping. Serve it warm with ice cream for a dessert that never disappoints.
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15
Chicken pie with no vegetables, just shredded chicken and a buttery crust. This is an old-fashioned chicken pie recipe that's easy to make and tastes great. It's also good for potluck dinner or transporting to someone in need.
Easy Southern Chicken Pie
A traditional Southern chicken pie with a rich, creamy filling and a simple pastry crust on top. No mixed vegetables, just chicken and sauce baked until golden.
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16
Tea cakes are buttery and slightly soft, not as sweet as a sugar cookie and falling somewhere between a cookie and a cake. They are an old-fashioned Southern favorite! This recipe is so easy--no mixer required and no chilling dough. You can have these wonderful tea cakes ready in about 30 minutes!
Grandma’s Tea Cakes
Old-fashioned Southern tea cakes with a soft texture and delicate sweetness. They’re more cookie than cake and just right with a glass of sweet tea.
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17
Pimento cheese in a small white bowl with celery.
Classic Pimento Cheese
Sharp cheddar blended with mayonnaise and diced pimentos for a spread that belongs on crackers, sandwiches, or straight from the bowl.
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18
A glass trifle bowl filled with layers of banana pudding, vanilla wafers, and sliced bananas, topped with crumbled wafers.
Creamy Banana Pudding
Layers of vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and cookies that soften as they chill. It’s a dessert that rarely makes it to the next day.
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19
Closeup of a spoon of squash casserole held over the baking dish.
Squash Casserole with Cracker Topping
Tender yellow squash baked in a creamy, cheesy filling with a buttery cracker crumb topping. This is the side dish that converts people who think they don't like squash.
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20
A fork holds a bite of creamy macaroni and cheese above a bowl, with another full bowl in the background next to a striped cloth.
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Rich, oven-baked macaroni and cheese with a velvety sauce and a golden top. This is the version that shows up on holiday tables and disappears fast.
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A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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