Shortcuts for Classic Southern Main Dishes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mama's Way: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie

There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a homemade chicken pot pie. Give this classic recipe a try tonight!

Why We Love Mama's Way

Classic, key ingredients
Flaky crust made with refrigerated piecrusts
Comforting appeal

Recipe: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Your Way: Stovetop Chicken Pie

Update your chicken pot pie with this easy Stovetop Chicken Pie. It tastes just as great as the original, but in less the time.

Why We Love Your Way

35-minute hands on time
Flaky buttermilk biscuits
Easy assembly

Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Pie

Southern Living Recipe: Bev's Famous Meatloaf

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mama's Way: Bev's Famous Meatloaf

This recipe comes from country music star Miranda Lambert's mama. “My mom and I have cooked together as far back as she could bring a stool to the kitchen counter, and her meatloaf has always been my favorite recipe,” she says.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Irresistible home-cooked flavor
Ground beef-and-pork combination
Tender texture

Recipe: Bev's Famous Meatloaf

Southern Living Recipe: Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Your Way: Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf

We made this healthier version of meatloaf for Miranda Lambert to take on the road. Serve it on a sandwich with chips for a quick meal on the go or with veggies on the side for a meal a bit more mama's way.

Why We Love Your Way

Uses leaner meats
Contains fiber-rich oats
Rich tomato topping

Recipe: Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Mama's Way: Chicken Under a Skillet

A juicy, flavorful grilled whole chicken is a dynamite dish! Rosemary leaves, lemon zest, garlic, and herbs de Provence impart great flavor, but it's the grill that really does the work.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Impressive presentation
Wonderful flavors
Great with any side dishes

Recipe: Chicken Under a Skillet

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Your Way: Spicy Honey-Lime Grilled Drumsticks

This simple recipe for the grill is finger-lickin good! A Spicy Honey-Lime Barbecue Sauce is all you need to pack the sweet-and-spicy flavor.

Why We Love Your Way

Takes half the time
Make-ahead barbecue sauce
Easy assembly and preparation

Recipe: Spicy Honey-Lime Grilled Drumsticks

Southern Living Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Mama's Way: Classic Fried Catfish

The secret to this recipe is maintaining an oil temperature of 360˚ to ensure a crispy, golden crust. Serve with lemon slices and your favorite tartar sauce.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Deep-fried goodness
Peppery cornmeal coating
Moist, tender interior

Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish

Southern Living Recipe: Crispy Oven-Fried Catfish

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Your Way: Crispy Oven-Fried Catfish

Cornflakes are the secret to a crisp baked coating for this updated classic. Serve with sautéed mixed veggies, such as squash, zucchini, and carrots, and a green salad. For an extra touch of heat, add a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to the buttermilk before chilling the fillets.

Why We Love Your Way

Easy cleanup
Crispy, low-fat crust
Hands-free cooking

Recipe: Crispy Oven-Fried Catfish

Southern Living Recipe: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Mama's Way: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

This from-scratch favorite makes for luscious comfort food.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Tender homemade dumplings
One-dish family meal
Makes enough to share

Recipe: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Living Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Your Way: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Deli-roasted chicken, cream of chicken soup, and canned biscuits make a quick-and-tasty version of this favorite. One roasted chicken yields about 3 cups of meat.

Why We Love Your Way

Only 7 ingredients
Easy enough for weeknights
Rich, flavorful broth

Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Mama's Way: Game Day Chili

These meaty favorite is perfect for a football party. It freezes beautifully for a super quick meal another day.

Why We Love Mama's Way

A cold-weather classic
Rich flavor from the beer
Easy, on-hand ingredients

Recipe: Game Day Chili

Southern Living Recipe: Big-Batch Veggie Chili

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Your Way: Big-Batch Veggie Chili

This updated chili is hearty, meatless, and even better the next day. We tested it with Wick Fowler's 2 Alarm Chili Kit.

Why We Love Your Way

Bold chili flavor
Makes enough for a crowd
Packed with heart-healthy beans

Recipe: Big-Batch Veggie Chili

Southern Living Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Mama's Way: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

This classic creamy pasta with chicken, mushrooms, and almonds is pure Southern comfort.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Made-from-scratch Mornay sauce
Toasted almond-and-Parmesan cheese topping
Freezes beautifully

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Southern Living Recipe: Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Your Way: Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini

This contemporary twist on classic tetrazzini tosses pasta with Italian proscuitto and peas.

Why We Love Your Way

Light and creamy Parmesan sauce
Sautéed fresh mushrooms and Marsala
Weeknight-easy shortcuts

Recipe: Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini

Southern Living Recipe: Honey-Bourbon Glazed Ham

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Mama's Way: Honey-Bourbon Glazed Ham

Roasting ham with cloves makes for a showstopping Southern classic. Your family and friends are sure to love the flavorful sweet glaze. For a twist, try Honey-Bourbon Boneless Glazed Ham.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Delicious hot or cold
Bone-in delivers exceptional flavor
Beautiful on a holiday buffet

Recipe: Honey-Bourbon Glazed Ham

Southern Living Recipe: Orange Glazed Ham

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Your Way: Orange Glazed Ham

This savory ham cooks in half the time of a traditional recipe, and the sweet orange glaze will get rave reviews just as strong. Simply spoon the glaze on a smoked, fully cooked boneless ham and stick it in the oven.

Why We Love Your Way

Faster cook time
Perfect size for small families
Easy to carve

Recipe: Orange Glazed Ham

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mama's Way: Kentucky Hot Browns

Up the ante on sandwich night with Kentucky Hot Browns. This classic knife-and-fork sandwich will be a hit with the whole family.

Why We Love Mama's Way

Easy prep and assembly
Rich and creamy cheese sauce
Crispy bacon topping

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Browns

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Your Way: Kentucky Hot Brown Tart

We turned classic Kentucky Hot Browns into a decadent tart. Serve as a satisfying main dish or a hearty side.

Why We Love Your Way

Resembles a tomato pie, but with bacon and more
Buttery, flaky crust
Great brunch meal

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Tart

Shortcuts for Classic Main Dishes

Mama's Way: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Your Way: Stovetop Chicken Pie

Mama's Way: Bev's Famous Meatloaf

Your Way: Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf

Mama's Way: Chicken Under a Skillet

Your Way: Spicy Honey-Lime Grilled Drumsticks

Mama's Way: Classic Fried Catfish

Your Way: Crispy Oven-Fried Catfish

Mama's Way: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

Your Way: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Mama's Way: Game Day Chili

Your Way: Big-Batch Veggie Chili

Mama's Way: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Your Way: Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini

Mama's Way: Honey-Bourbon Glazed Ham

Your Way: Orange Glazed Ham

Mama's Way: Kentucky Hot Browns

Your Way: Kentucky Hot Brown Tart