Southern Living
food
30 Classic Comfort Food Recipes That Can't Be Beat

30 Classic Comfort Food Recipes That Can't Be Beat

By Southern Living Editors

Updated November 02, 2020

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Some of the best recipes seen on Southern tables aren't new and shiny, but instead old and time-tested—handed down from generation to generation on stained recipe cards and in tattered notebooks. These passed-down recipes include the hard-working comfort foods we turn to again and again. We're talking cheesy casseroles, traditional stews, fried bites, and even gooey desserts. These are the weeknight staples for anyone wanting a hearty meal and a little taste of home, as well as standout centerpieces for holidays and family celebrations. One thing's for sure: You cannot go wrong with one of these classic comfort food recipes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 30

Mama's Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken

Skip the bucket of fast-food fried chicken and remember what it's like to eat "real" fried chicken like Mama used to make.

2 of 30

Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies

Lose the big casserole dish for the day. These adorably mini pot pies are packed with major flavor.

3 of 30

Southern-Style Collard Greens

Credit: Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

Crispy bacon, sautéed onion, ham, and garlic perfect these collard greens, making them an essential part of your traditional Southern feast.

4 of 30

Classic Beef Pot Roast

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Classic Beef Pot Roast

You can almost hear the dinner bell calling you in for this comforting meat-and-potatoes meal.

5 of 30

Classic Lasagna

Recipe: Classic Lasagna

This classic lasagna recipe perfectly matches traditional Italian ingredients with a homemade sauce. Layers of cheese, meat, and pasta make the tastiest trio.

6 of 30

Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings

As the name suggests, this is an old-school staple that will be sure to satisfy the whole family. It's a simple recipe that delivers every time.

7 of 30

Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

Nothing is more satisfying than a big bowl of hearty Brunswick stew. Using frozen vegetables and prepared meats make it super easy to throw together.

8 of 30

Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Freshly-grated Parmesan adds the cheesiest flavor to this casserole recipe that's great for making ahead and freezing.

9 of 30

Old-fashioned Meatloaf

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Old-fashioned Meatloaf

This Southern meatloaf recipe features Creole and Greek seasonings and a hint of garlic. A few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce spice up the traditional ketchup topping.

10 of 30

Best Pecan Pie

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Best Pecan Pie

Any way you serve it―warm or cold, with or without ice cream―pecan pie is always a favorite. Feel free to use store-bought pie crust if in a pinch, because the filling is the star here anyway.

11 of 30

Southern Skillet Cornbread

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Southern Skillet Cornbread

Great slathered with butter or for sopping up stews, cornbread is a must with hearty meals. Try this classic recipe and you'll never go back.

12 of 30

Traditional Chicken Fried Steak

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Traditional Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken-fried steak is quintessentially Southern. Using saltine crackers for the coating helps maintain the crispy texture. Serve with creamy, peppery gravy and enjoy.

13 of 30

Pecan-Peach Cobbler

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Pecan-Peach Cobbler

Showcase two of the South’s most beloved products—peaches and pecans—in this old-fashioned peach cobbler recipe.

14 of 30

Pam Lolley’s Crispy Chicken with Rice and Pan Gravy

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Pam Lolley’s Crispy Chicken with Rice and Pan Gravy

You won't find a better weeknight meal than crispy chicken drenched in a savory pan gravy and herby rice.

15 of 30

Fried Pork Chops with Potatoes and Peas

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Fried Pork Chops with Potatoes and Peas

Any dish with hearty potatoes and tasty gravy is bound to stay in the weeknight rotation, and these pork chops are no exception.

16 of 30

Chunky Beef Chili

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Chunky Beef Chili

This hearty beef chili features boneless chuck roast and a medley of traditional chili seasonings. Serve with these cast-iron cornbread sticks for a complete meal.

17 of 30

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes yield a texture that's just right for holding a pool of flavorful turkey gravy or melted butter.

18 of 30

Classic Fried Catfish

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish

Catfish is an extremely popular fried treat throughout the South, and our fried catfish recipe is simple and oh-so crispy.

19 of 30

Two-Step Pound Cake

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Two-Step Pound Cake

This recipe is so easy you may start serving this classic dessert with every meal. Top with ice cream or seasonal fruits for a tasty combination.

20 of 30

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Packed with egg noodles, sour cream, cream cheese, and a delicious tomato-beef mixture, this might be our heartiest dinner casserole ever.

21 of 30

Grits and Greens with Brown Butter Hot Sauce

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Grits and Greens with Brown Butter Hot Sauce

You won't find a more Southern side dish to include on any spread, from brunch to dinner.

22 of 30

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Credit: Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Flavored with thick-cut bacon, these barbecue beans are a surefire way to jazz up any cookout.

23 of 30

Beef Tamale Pie

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beef Tamale Pie

A sauced-up ground beef mixture with tomatoes and black beans is made even better when topped with traditional corn muffin topping and jalapeños.

24 of 30

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pretzel Pie

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pretzel Pie

A dynamic duo in the Southern baking world, strawberries and rhubarbs are a tart-and-sweet match made in heaven.

25 of 30

Old-School Squash Casserole

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

Southerners cannot get enough of buttery, creamy, cheesy squash casserole in all of its glory.

26 of 30

Kettle Chip-Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes with Tasso Tartar Sauce

Credit: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Kettle Chip-Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes with Tasso Tartar Sauce

Watch these disappear from the snack plate or serve them on top of crusty white bread for the best po'boy ever.

27 of 30

Egg Custard Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Egg Custard Pie

This Depression Era pie is simple and perfect every time. Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh peaches or berries.

28 of 30

Classic Beef Stroganoff

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Classic Beef Stroganoff

We'll take this warm and comforting meal on any weeknight. This recipe is homemade and special without trying to be too fancy.

29 of 30

Easy Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Easy Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

We love a vintage casserole, and this one has all the makings of a filling family meal. Feel free to use store-bought rotisserie chicken in lieu of cooking your own.

30 of 30

Cowboy Casserole

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

It doesn't get any more tried-and-true than a tater tot-topped casserole, especially this recipe that includes a seasoned beef mixture with beans, corn, chiles, sour cream, and cheese.

Replay gallery

Up Next

By Southern Living Editors

Account

More

30 Classic Comfort Food Recipes That Can't Be Beat

1 of 30

Mama's Fried Chicken

1 of 30

2 of 30

Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies

2 of 30

3 of 30

Southern-Style Collard Greens

3 of 30

4 of 30

Classic Beef Pot Roast

4 of 30

5 of 30

Classic Lasagna

5 of 30

6 of 30

Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings

6 of 30

7 of 30

Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

7 of 30

8 of 30

Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

8 of 30

9 of 30

Old-fashioned Meatloaf

9 of 30

10 of 30

Best Pecan Pie

10 of 30

11 of 30

Southern Skillet Cornbread

11 of 30

12 of 30

Traditional Chicken Fried Steak

12 of 30

13 of 30

Pecan-Peach Cobbler

13 of 30

14 of 30

Pam Lolley’s Crispy Chicken with Rice and Pan Gravy

14 of 30

15 of 30

Fried Pork Chops with Potatoes and Peas

15 of 30

16 of 30

Chunky Beef Chili

16 of 30

17 of 30

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

17 of 30

18 of 30

Classic Fried Catfish

18 of 30

19 of 30

Two-Step Pound Cake

19 of 30

20 of 30

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

20 of 30

21 of 30

Grits and Greens with Brown Butter Hot Sauce

21 of 30

22 of 30

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

22 of 30

23 of 30

Beef Tamale Pie

23 of 30

24 of 30

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pretzel Pie

24 of 30

25 of 30

Old-School Squash Casserole

25 of 30

26 of 30

Kettle Chip-Crusted Fried Green Tomatoes with Tasso Tartar Sauce