101 Best Comfort Food Classics

Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is a quintessential Southern comfort food at which every Southern chef should try their hand. We’ve made it easy to start. With deli-roasted chicken, cream of chicken soup, and canned biscuits, this quick and tasty version of the classic recipe comes together with minimal effort, but maximum flavor and comfort. When it comes to chicken and dumplings recipes, its hard to pick a favorite. We adore the tried-and-true versions that our grandmothers spoon-fed us, and the more innovative versions with unexpected additions like gnocchi, sweet potato, and cornbread. Even with new and exciting twists on the classic, this savory, steaming, and traditional chicken and dumplings recipe is worth holding on to.

Step-by-Step Video: Our Easiest Chicken and Dumplings

Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

It doesn’t get much more Southern than a plate of Fried Green Tomatoes. Great on sandwiches, on top of salads, or plain eaten off a plate and dipped in sauce, this is a recipe that every Southern could should master – and make weekly. Always pick firm green tomatoes that will hold their texture during the fry process. We dip our fried green tomatoes in a blend of self-rising cornmeal mix, salt, pepper, and all-purpose flower. Each fried green tomato is hand-dredged in buttermilk, tossed in the crispy coating, and then fried to golden perfection in popping vegetable oil. The crispy coating flakes off with each perfect bite.

Cooking Video: Fried Green Tomatoes

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

In the South, Biscuits are to breakfast what tires are to a car: no Southern breakfast is complete without flaky, buttery biscuits. Actually, make that no Southern meal is complete without flaky, buttery biscuits. Don’t be afraid to make your own – homemade buttermilk biscuits are worth the labor. Once you try homemade buttermilk biscuits steaming from the oven, you’ll think twice before buying store-bought canned biscuits again. We’ve found the perfect biscuit recipe that makes the process easy. This versatile biscuit recipe only takes five ingredients to make, and you can amp it up with any of our four flavor variations, like cinnamon-raisin, black pepper bacon, feta oregano, or pimiento cheese.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Our chicken and Rice Casserole is savory, creamy, filling, and everything that a classic Southern casserole should be. This staple casserole can be dressed up for special occasions, but its crowd-pleasing flavor is perfect for a weeknight or family dinner. Roasted sliced almonds, water chestnuts, and fresh breadcrumbs give it that irresistible crunch that will keeps you coming back for seconds. Using a long-grain and wild rice mix and toasted almonds in the classic chicken casserole makes it a little bit dressier, and fit for company during the holidays. You can also prepare this recipe in advance – it keeps in the freezer for up to one month.

Recipe: Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits

A flavorful pot roast is, perhaps, the most underrated classic Southern comfort food. Not only is a well-cooked pot roast tender and savory, but it is also incredibly versatile. Eat it hot from the slow cooker, or cold, piled between two slices of French bread. Our test kitchen carefully developed this flavorful roast to be the only roast recipe you’ll ever need. Bacon, garlic, and red wine imbue humble chuck roast with robust flavors and character. Rich beef-bourguignon flavor grows as the meat transforms from simple to extraordinary in your slow cooker. Serve sliced or in chunks over Creamy Mushroom Grits.

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Our favorite casserole? King Ranch, of course. Our favorite side dish? Dare we say mac and cheese? All of the flavors of one of our favorite casserole recipes come together in the filling comfort mac and cheese. Packed with cellentani pasta, buttery onions and peppers, diced tomatoes, and two blends of creamy cheese, this mac and cheese dish sets a high standard for all other sides and main dishes. Serve this five-star dinner dish to your family, and it will become a quick favorite.  One reviewer raves, “This is the best casserole I have ever made and I have been cooking for over 30 years… My family loved it, and we did not have any leftovers! I make it weekly now.”

Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken

Remember what it’s like to eat “real” fried chicken, like Mama used to make? Skip the bucket of fast-food fried chicken and return to the classic, skillet-fried crispy chicken. We promise, you’ll taste a difference. Seasoned with simple salt and pepper and dredged in buttermilk and flour,  you can add your own spices to the breading to make your Southern fried chicken your own fried chicken. We’ve added paprika, cayenne pepper, and lemon pepper with delicious results. You can even add lard or butter to the oil, for super-special occasions. Serve with our Perfect Mashed Potatoes to complete this classic Southern meal.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Some recipes are quick. Brunswick stew is not one of these recipes. But trust us, the results are worth every minute. You’ll wind up with enough to feed a crowd, or enough to freeze for several great meals to come. Flavors of sautéed onions and garlic, beef soup based, fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, mustard, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce come together in a two-hour long simmering period that results in this craveable classic stew of tender chicken, filling vegetables, and intensely delicious barbecued beef brisket. Purchase your barbecued brisket from your favorite local shop, and stir in to make this comfort dish fit for your family.

Recipe: 30-Minute Chili

Do you want delicious chili but don't want to wait all day? Our 30-Minute Chili recipe will have you enjoying one of our quick-fix suppers in no time. This simple-to-make chili recipe only has six ingredients, but you'll marvel at its slow-cooked flavor. Simmering the ground beef is probably the hardest part; once you've finished that, you just pour everything else in, and stir. If you prefer an Italian-style take on 30-Minute Chili, spice this up and use 1 pound of ground sausage and 1 pound of ground beef. Whether you prefer a traditional chili or you would like to enjoy some Italian-infused flavors, this easy-to-make chili will always be ready when you are.

Cooking Video: Quick-Fix Chili

Recipe: Southern-Style Collard Greens

A true Southern chef knows that part of what makes Southern-smoked meat taste good are the perfect side dishes. And a true Southern chef also knows that this perfect side is often collard greens. Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, collard greens are a type of cabbage that does not develop into a head of lettuce. This recipe fixes the greens up with some traditional Southern flavors. Crispy hickory-smoked bacon, bacon, sautéed sweet onion, smoked ham, apple cider vinegar, and garlic perfect these savory Southern-Style Collard Greens, making this side dish an essential part of your traditional Southern feast.

Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup

A steaming hot bowl of hearty soup served out of a toasted bread bowl warms our hearts in such a distinct and fulfilling way. This comfort soup requires some prep work, but the soul warming worth every minute. Sirloin tip beef roast is coated in flour and seared for a crispy finish, and a healthy load of vegetables gives the soup simmering flavor. Make a huge pot, and freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months. Add a bit of canned broth when reheating to reach desired consistency. For a decadent finish, serve in Toasted Bread Bowls.

Recipe: Caramel Cake

This old-fashioned recipe has remained, over the years, as one of our best-ever homemade cakes. Our caramel cake has competed against plenty of fancier and more complicated cakes, but it still satisfies our sweet cravings in ways that other cakes never do. Rich and moist from a container of sour cream, dense from butter and eggs, and sweet from sugar, the cake is simple and satisfying. What makes this classic Southern cake stand out is the homemade caramel frosting spread between and on top of the cake’s layers.  This traditional cake will seal your reputation as the family’s best baker.

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken

This slow-cooker version of the fan favorite King Ranch Chicken Casserole is sure to please your whole family. What's more comforting than chicken, cheese, and tortillas?  Layers of tender shredded chicken, onions, bell peppers, creamy soup, diced tomatoes, green chiles, garlic, and chili are separated with flaky tortillas and sharp shredded Cheddar cheese. Put this recipe in your slow cooker in the mid afternoon, and it’ll be ready just in time for dinner. It is filling and oh-so-rich, so you will not need to spend time making a fancy Southern side dish. Try serving it with a simple garden green salad, or roasted broccoli, for an easy and delicious weeknight meal.

Recipe: Two-Step Pound Cake

Pound cakes are one of the easiest cakes to bake. This classic dessert is one of those sweet treats that you can whip together with minimal effort. This staple cake comes together with only 6 ingredients that everyone keeps on hand; you can jazz it up to suit any occasion. While you’re enjoying the buttery, crumbly cake, have you ever wondered where it gets its name? The original recipe dates back to the 1700s, and calls for a pound of flour, a pound of butter, a pound of sugar, and a pound of eggs. Now, that’s a lot of cake. A lot of soft, dense, sweet, and absolutely perfect cake. Test Kitchen Tip: Sift the flour prior to adding to the mixing bowl for a smooth cake that will best absorb icing.

Recipe: Perfect Mashed Potatoes

We have a feeling that you’ll be licking the bowl clean after you make these perfectly fluffy mashed potatoes. Yukon gold potatoes yield a texture that’s just right for holding a pool of flavorful turkey gravy or melted butter. These potatoes are perfect for all occasions, from weeknights to special occasions. No potluck, church supper, or pot roast is complete without a bowl of steaming mashed potatoes, served with a large wooden spoon. One reviewer raves, “These are the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever made! Super flavorful and super easy.”  Learn how to whip up Perfect Mashed Potatoes with our 3-Step Guide.

Recipe: Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

If you’re craving the ooey, gooey cheesy comfort of mac and cheese, but looking for a lighter option, this baked macaroni dish is perfect for you. The cheesy sauce comes together with Gouda, milk, flour, and oil and coats the cellentani pasta in flavor you’ll want to lick straight from the bowl.  This delicious mac and cheese is light on butter and cheese, yet still melts in your mouth. We love this recipe so much that we asked for more like it! Try one of our four flavor variations for a perfect twist on the traditional flavor, like pepper jack, sweet pea and prosciutto, pimiento, or ham and broccoli.

Recipe: Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Red Potatoes

You can't go wrong with this classic Southern dish to fill you up on chilly nights. We made it even heartier by adding roasted potatoes to the traditional mix of Andouille sausage, Cajun seasonings, and veggies. The key to any great gumbo all starts is all in the roux. This recipe calls for a caramel-colored roux, but some Southern chefs prefer to add a subtle burnt flavor to their gumbo pots by slow simmering the flour and oil until its deep, dark, and smooth like chocolate.  Make sure you monitor the roux at all times – if you burn your roux, the whole gumbo will taste wrong. If you’re in a rush, don’t turn the heat higher. Instead, use deli roasted chicken in place of skinned and boned chicken breasts.

Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding

This classic Southern recipe has a rich, soufflé-like texture that tastes fancier than the recipe really is – but we won’t tell your guests that. With a scoop of sugar, a dash of flour, plenty of eggs and a heavy serving of cream and butter, this fresh corn casserole comes together with fresh corn kernels. It’s an fancier version of  our favorite side dish: homemade, crispy, buttery cornbread. A perfectly Southern side for holiday potlucks and dinners like Thanksgiving and Christmas, this southern corn pudding also works great at summertime barbecues and Easter brunches. The result is an impressive Southern side dish that the entire party will love. We like to add chopped fresh chives to the top.

Recipe: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie is the comfort food sent down to the South straight from heaven.  A creamy filling of vegetables and chicken covered by not one but two flaky crusts makes this double-crust chicken pot pie one of our best-ever chicken pot pies. One reviewer raves, “Best Chicken Pot Pie I've ever had! This meal is appropriate for any occasion! I've made this for friends and family and they we very impressed and pleased.” Serve the dish with a lightly dressed green salad and roasted asparagus for a complete, veggie-packed meal perfect for special occasions, but also easy enough for a weeknight family dinner.  

Recipe: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

As the name suggests, this classic chicken and dumplings recipe is a comfort food sure to satisfy the whole family. A warm bowl of chicken and dumpling soup can turn around even the rainiest day. Handmade dumplings come together with only five ingredients, and add rustic flavor to the deliciously creamy dish. Thyme, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, and bacon drippings are the key flavors in this creamy soup. Boiling and cooking the chicken at home saves cost and creates a rich broth that you can only get from scratch, but adds time. If you’re in a rush, pick up a deli-roasted chicken.

Recipe: Mom's Pecan Pie

Every Southerner knows that no Southern dessert table is complete without a syrupy sweet Pecan pie. Because pecan pie is such an integral part of a Southerner’s diet, it’s important that when you bake a homemade pecan pie with fresh Georgia Pecans, it comes out right. Our test kitchen tried over and over again to make the perfect Southern pecan pie, but attempt after attempt, there’s just no better pecan pie than Mom’s Pecan Pie. This traditional pecan pie recipe is versatile and delicious. For a rich, holiday flavor, try using dark corn syrup. For a lighter and clearer pie, use light corn syrup. Both variations received high marks in our Test Kitchen.

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

If we had to compile a list of the “top ten most Southern dishes ever,” Shrimp and Grits would certainly rank in the top three. This original Shrimp and Grits recipe is from Bill Smith, executive chef at Crook’s Corner, a landmark Southern restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Our favorite part about Shrimp and Grits that it is so quintessentially Southern that it works for any meal – breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or even as a midnight snack. Nobody ever turns down buttery, rich Shrimp and Grits. Packed with crispy bacon, buttery shrimp, fresh mushrooms, chopped green onions, garlic, lemon juice, and cheese, this dish is as impressive as it is delicious.

Recipe: Pecan-Peach Cobbler

This classic Southern dessert combines two of our favorite Southern-grown products: peaches and pecans. Great for summer, fall, and every season, this sweet cobbler suits any occasion. Covered in a golden-brown, latticed crust made easy from refrigerated piecrusts, the filling is where the real flavor lies. Gooey, sugar-covered peaches envelope crunchy local pecans. Test Kitchen Tip: Make sure that you take the extra 10-20 minutes to toast your pecans. Toasted pecans have a much more delicate flavor and crispy texture than their raw counterparts, which often taste waxy. Serve this classic Southern dessert with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream for a dessert that everyone will love.

Recipe: Chunky Beef Chili

On a fall day, a hearty chili hits the spot. This Southern spin on a classic Tex-Mex dish is the perfect combination of spice and soul-warming comfort food. This hearty beef chili features boneless chuck roast and a medley of traditional chili seasonings, like cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic, and red pepper. A dash of oregano makes this Southern beef chili anything but ordinary. Topped with crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, and as much shredded cheese as your heard desires for a meal you’ll make again and again. Serve with Skillet Cornbread for a complete meal.

Recipe: Easy Brunswick Stew

Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of hearty, flavorful Brunswick stew.  This easy slow-cooker recipe comes together with minimal preparation. Overloaded with boneless pork shoulder, new potatoes, onions, lima beans, and corn, this stew will satisfy your entire family. Rich flavors of barbecue sauce and brown sugar simmer together in this easy-to-prepare slow cooker soup. And because of the flavorful pork and chicken broth, you won’t need to add much additional salt. For extremely tender meat that's easy to shred, try cooking on low heat for a long time. Although it produces a quicker meal, high heat yields a less tender product.

Recipe: Chicken-fried Steak

There’s a reason that chicken-fried steak has such an iconic reputation down South. This classic Southern comfort dish has that savory, melt-in-your-mouth taste that every Southern chef seeks. Make this iconic Southern chicken-fried steak recipe and savor every bite of this simple and delicious dish. It comes together with minimal ingredients, too – you’ll only need steak, salt, pepper, flour, egg substitute, and saltines. Serve with green beans, mashed potatoes, and plenty of gravy. Now, next time you go to your favorite meat-and-three restaurant, you’re free to order something new – you can get your chicken-fried steak fix from your own kitchen.

Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

This holiday-worthy breakfast staple is as comforting as it is cinnamony. If you love store-bought cinnamon rolls made from a can, then you have got to make the homemade version – you will jump for joy after tasting how much better the homemade version is. Our homemade cinnamon rolls have all of our favorite Southern ingredients, like pecans, brown sugar, milk, and cinnamon. The homemade dough mixture rises to fluffy, golden-brown perfection; topped with cream cheese icing, these cinnamon rolls are literally heaven in a pastry. They’re so good,  we bet you won’t mind putting in the effort on any average Saturday!

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Make a classic family comfort food with this creamy chicken casserole. This family-friendly casserole dish takes less than one hour to make, and provides a filling one-dish meal. With plenty of butter, a rich sauce thickened with flour, milk, white wine, and chicken bouillon, this classic Chicken Tetrazzini is pure comfort food. Folded in Parmesan cheese provides an even richer element of flavor. Older, drier Parmesan will add a richer, nuttier, more sophisticated flavor; lower-quality Parmesan provides the same cheesy texture without such a strong flavor. Test Kitchen Tip: This recipe freezes beautifully.

Recipe: Baked Potato Soup

A thick and creamy baked potato soup is perfectly ideal for cold winter days. Pile on your favorite baked potato toppings, like cheddar cheese, cooked and crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Rich mashed potatoes serve as the base for this creamy baked potato soup. Flavored with sharp minced garlic, sweet onion, butter, and savory chicken bouillon, this heart-warming comfort soup comes together in less than an hour. Make a big pot, and freeze the rest for an easy weeknight meal.  To complete the meal, serve this baked potato soup with a baguette for dipping, like this easy shrimp-and-pesto baguette.

Recipe: Classic Strawberry Shortcake

With juicy strawberries spooned over sweet and tender biscuits, these old-fashioned strawberry shortcakes are the perfect dessert for all lovers of classic Southern comfort dishes. Fresh strawberries, sugar, almond extract, and whipping cream tucked between two slices of homemade shortcake biscuits – these are the elements that compose this easy take on a deliciously sweet strawberry shortcake. this classic Southern dessert is both light on the palette and just sweet enough to satisfy the strongest sweet tooth. If the berries are very sweet, decrease the sugar to suit your taste. Drop the dough easily by using a lightly greased 1/3-cup dry measure.

Recipe: Old-fashioned Meatloaf

This classic comfort meatloaf recipe is as close as we could get to how your momma used to make. In fact, it might be your momma’s recipe. 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. One reviewer raves, ”This meatloaf has an excellent flavor; best meatloaf I have ever had! I served carrots and broccoli as a side along with mashed potatoes. My daughter, very picky eater, loved it. I did add a little bit of brown sugar to the sauce on top to reduce the tartness of the tomato sauce.”

Recipe: Mom's Pecan Pie

This slightly-sweeter version of classic Southern pecan pie is tried-and-true one of the most soul-comforting pie recipes we have on file. Although there are plenty of pecan pie recipes out there, we can vouch for this one – and so can mom. Any way you serve it – warm, cold, with ice cream, or with a dollop of whipped cream – pecan pie is always a favorite. Test Kitchen Tip: To prevent the filling from seeping under the crust, we suggest using two crusts and stacking them. That way, you get double the buttery, flaky crust without losing the gooey, crunchy filling in the process.

Recipe: Skillet Cornbread

The ultimate side dish for any hearty Southern meal, cornbread is great slathered in butter or used for sopping up stews. This classic yet easy comfort food recipe comes together with savory irresistible bacon drippings, creamy buttermilk, white cornmeal, and a dash of salt. Like all great Southern breads, it comes from the oven in a steaming cast-iron skillet. Adapted from Hoppin John’s Lowcountry Cooking by John Martin Taylor, our go-to comfort corn bread recipe is timeless and well loved by our readers for its moist texture and just-sweet-enough taste. For a flavorful variation, try one of our creative cornbread variations.

Recipe: Pork Chops, Cabbage, and Apples

Savory pork chops, crunchy cabbage, and sweet apples combine in a classic combination of Southern comfort. Pork and Apples are an age-old favorite combination, as are pork and apples. Put the three together, and you’ve got a delightfully Southern dish that’ll impress any crowd made of kids or adults alike. This dish gets plenty of flavors from paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, sage, onions, bacon, and even your favorite lager beer. Plus, it is ready in just less than one hour. Overflowing with cabbage, this tender pork dish will warm you heart and soothe your Southern soul in such a way that only pork can.

Recipe: Mom's Signature Roast Beef

You can almost hear the dinner bell calling for you in this comforting meat-and-potatoes meal. With chopped onions, plenty of garlic, tender carrots, hearty potatoes, and, of course, slow-roasted beef that falls apart when your fork hits it, this recipe for classic beef roast shows you just how mom used to make it so darn good. Marinate the beef in a bottled dark beer seasoned with savory spices for at least 8 hours before searing it in your large, heavy-duty roasting pan. You’ll need to slow cook it for at least four hours to get that tender, home cooked texture. You can also replace the beer with Cola for a classic Cola Pot Roast.

Recipe: Classic Lasagna

A classic, beefy lasagna recipe perfectly matches these traditional, zesty Italian ingredients and creamy homemade ricotta sauce. Tall layers of ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, ground beef, and pasta will seriously satisfy your casserole cravings. Seasoned with basil, garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, and fresh parsley, this lasagna is anything but bland. Plus, any leftovers for lunch the following day are always welcome. Tip: Make this lasagna bake for a crowd by doubling the recipe and making ahead of time. Prep steps one through four, cover, and freeze. Thaw and bake (covered) at 350° for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 more minutes or until bubbly. 

Recipe: Best Carrot Cake

Now, there are two types of people in this world. People who like Carrot Cake, and people who don’t. And after trying this classic, rich, and moist Carrot Cake recipe, we think there will be only one type of person in this world. Truly our best-ever Carrot cake recipe, make this classic favorite for a crowd and you might not have any leftovers to bring home.  Layers of delicious carrot cake are moistened with a Buttermilk Glaze and topped off with a sweet Cream Cheese Frosting. For more flavor, try toasting the nuts and coconut before adding them to the batter. It's important to cool the cakes completely before frosting, otherwise the frosting will just melt right off. To expedite the cooling process, you can put the cakes on their wire racks in the freezer (don't worry, it's not cheating), checking until they're thoroughly cool.

Cooking Video: Best Carrot Cake Ever

Recipe: Fried Pork Chops with Cream Gravy

Any dish with gravy is bound to be delicious and comforting, and these pork chops are certainly no exception. Crispy fried in a coating of flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and buttermilk, these fried pork chops are ready in minutes for a quick, flavorful meal that even the pickiest of eaters will love. With a gravy that comes together from the flavor-packed pan drippings, this classic Southern dinner is well worth working into your weekly menu. To make this dish like a Southern grandmother, cook it in a cast iron skillet. For variation, feel free to substitute the pork chops for chicken breasts or cube steak. Serve with a light green vegetable, like crispy green beans.

Recipe: Fried Lemon-Rosemary Catfish

Fried catfish are a classic Southern comfort food found in nearly every fishin’ town South of Virginia. We’ve upgraded the classic dish with sophisticated flavors like lemon, rosemary, and fresh garlic to take this Southern comfort dinner from diner to company-worthy. Catfish is a great fish for frying up in a cast-iron pan, because it’s firm filets do not fall apart as do those of softer species of fish. Although you will want to let the fillets soak up the lemon marinate for at least an hour, this comfort food classic recipe does not require that much hands-on time. In under 10 minutes over the stove top, you will have enough crispy catfish fillets to feed a group of hungry fishermen.

Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole

You simply cannot go wrong with this eggs, cheese, and grits combination. It’s unassuming but absolutely delicious, and a true Southern favorite. It comes together with ingredients that all Southerners have on hand – milk, butter, grits, eggs, and cheese. This creamy grits casserole can be served as is for a casual morning breakfast or as a main dish. Add a sprinkle of crumbled breakfast sausage or diced baked ham for added bulk. Don’t limit this crowd-pleaser to breakfast or brunch. Serve it on the side of a main meat, such as shrimp or brisket for a classic, rich, and comforting Southern supper. 

Recipe: Praline-Pecan French Toast

Dress up your ordinary French toast breakfast recipe with a sweet praline mixture and a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. Find freshly baked French bread at your local grocer, and you’ve got the basis for a decadent breakfast worthy of Saturday-morning company. The twist: A short-order breakfast special gets an easy hands-off finish in the oven. One online reviewer claims that this Praline-Pecan French Toast recipe is, "sinfully delicious." With brown sugar, melted butter, maple syrup, chopped pecans, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, there’s not much this breakfast dish is missing – besides you, and a tall glass of ice-cold milk!

Recipe: Red Wine Beef Stew

This Red Wine Beef Stew recipe is pure Southern comfort but it takes a while to prepare, so make it on a day when you have some time to spare. Rich and hearty, this stew combines the savory flavors of chuck roast, paprika, pepper, red wine, beef broth, thyme, bay leaves, turnips, mushrooms and carrots for a stew that’s bursting with flavor and vegetables. For more substance, add potatoes. Red wine melds all the flavors together in a velvety smooth stew that’s perfect for a winters’ day. Serve it with crusty bread or over rice to capture every drop of the rich gravy.

Recipe: Bayou Fried Shrimp

When you’re craving the crispy taste of Cajun-battered, home-fried shrimp, skip the pricey seafood joint and opt for our homemade version instead. These butterfly shrimp are an ultimate fried seafood staple that come together in under one hour. Battered in Zatarain’s Fish Fry mix, these bite-size fried shrimp are best when served with a spicy Remoulade Sauce. Make your own by mixing mayonnaise, green onions, fresh parsley, creole mustard, lemon zest, garlic, and red pepper. Serve along with a crispy salad of light lettuce. Leave the tails on for an appetizer platter, as pictured, so guests will have something by which they can pick the shrimp up.

Recipe: Banana-nut Bread

Made from whole-wheat flour, this sweet and moist banana bread has less oil than most traditional recipes, but you won't miss it. Extra bananas keep it moist, sweet, and flavorful. Eat it warm or cold, plain, or with a spoonful of cream cheese. Perfect for a sweet snack, as a tea cake, or eaten as a quick breakfast, this banana-nut bread is a classic rendition of a Southern comfort dish that’s about as old as the South itself. Make two batches, and deliver one to a neighbor for a Southern showing of comfort and hospitality that only a fresh-baked loaf of banana bread can bring.

Recipe:  She-Crab Soup  

A Charleston, South Carolina, favorite, this classic Southern She-Crab Soup is creamy, rich, and bursting with decadent flavors that crab-lovers crave. Richly made from whipping cream, fish bouillon cubes, a generous helping of butter, and thickened with white flour, this soup impresses company in flavor, texture, and presentation. For a restaurant-level finishing touch, serve this soup in individual bowls with a splash of sherry spooned into each individual serving vessel. It is important to use high-quality sherry, since it’s flavor will not be cooked out of this dish. Garnish with chopped parsley and offer plenty of buttery, flakey crackers for dipping.

Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole  

Summer squash casserole is the most versatile Southern side dish. It pairs well with everything from fried chicken at a summertime Sunday lunch to roast turkey at Thanksgiving.

Recipe: Classic Chess Pie

You can’t get more basic than classic Southern chess pie. This old-fashioned pie typically has two distinctive ingredients, cornmeal and vinegar, plus other on-hand ingredients such as sugar, flour, eggs, milk and vanilla.  This version is made easy with the use of refrigerated piecrusts. Ever wonder where the name “Chess Pie” came from? The topic is subject to much folklore. One theory is that the original Chess Pie contained cheese, but over the years, cheese disappeared from the recipe. The word “chess,” remained as the name. But our favorite explanation is straight from a storybook: a cook was asked what she was baking that smelled so great. “Jes’ pie” was her answer. 

Watch: How To Make Classic Chess Pie

Recipe: Home-style Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole gets a twenty-first century makeover from fresh veggies and a lightened (but super-rich!) homemade sauce. Fresh and crispy green beans, reduced fat milk, nonfat buttermilk, and tangy ranch dressing seasoning mix give this Southern casserole a rich yet nonfattening flavor. Bulked up with flavors of thyme, salt, pepper, fried onions, panko, and plum tomatoes, this green bean casserole is perfect for a hearty and healthy comfort dish – and we admit, healthy and low-calorie dishes are hard to come by in Southern comfort food. The best part: it's under 200 calories per serving! Serve it alongside your favorite grilled meat, bring it to the family potluck, or eat is as your main dish. It’s versatile, crispy, and delicious.

Recipe: All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

In our list of favorite Southern comfort foods, Chocolate Chip Cookies are always in our top ten classic dessert dishes. For lovers of tried-and-true classics, whip up a catch of these all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies. They’re the best of the best – our test kitchen has proven it. Although there are a lot of chocolate chip cookie recipes out there, this one stands above the rest in texture, flavor, and sweetness. Craving something a little more unique? Try one of our staff-favorite flavor creations, like Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies, Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies, White Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Cookies, Almond-Toffee Cookies, Turtle Cookies, or Nutty Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Recipe: Easy Chicken Gumbo

Cajun seasonings make the flavor of this gumbo complex, but the prep work is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. The gumbo and our fresh Okra Pilau (rice cooked in a season broth) can be ready in 48 minutes. With the classic Cajun trifecta – onions, green bell peppers, and celery – this gumbo gets a kick from spicy garlic, Cajun seasoning, and smoky Andouille sausage.  This easy Cajun chicken gumbo calls for a flavorful roux made by cooking flour in hot oil. One reviewer raves, “I will surely make this recipe again. My husband loved it. It made quite a big amount, so we had leftovers several times and he did not complain a bit.”

Recipe: Waffles Benedict

Can’t decide between fluffy eggs benedict or hot, crispy waffles for breakfast? On the one hand, the cloud-like poached egg and creamy, hollandaise sauce pulls your heart (and stomach) towards eggs benedict. On the other, waffles. Right? This classic Southern comfort breakfast recipe offers the best of both benedict and batter worlds. Homemade waffles are mixed together using easy store bought baking mix, rich buttermilk, and a handful of yummy Parmesan cheese, and topped with the better half of eggs benedict. Use a hollandaise sauce mix for easy preparation, and top with thin, gourmet prosciutto slices. Picky? For a simple Southern substitute, use country ham instead of prosciutto.

Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish

Fried fish are a Southern staple, and the same applies to fried catfish. Although you’ll catch a fisherman throwing back his fair share of caught catfish, if you have the time to scale a catfish into a flaky filet, this classic recipe is completely worth the effort. Spices like ground red pepper, garlic powder, and salt bring out the naturally salty flavors from the catfish in a deliciously spicy batter. A mixture of yellow cornmeal and flour provide the ultimate crispy crust on your fried catfish filets. This recipe is easy and delicious. What better way to celebrate a cooler full of fresh-caught catfish?

Recipe: Dressed-up Tomato Soup

Simple, Southern, and oh-so satisfying, hot tomato soup is the perfect diner time comfort food on a cold winters’ day (especially when paired with a crispy, gooey grilled cheese). This easy-to-fix tomato soup starts with canned tomato soup. The canned classic gets a gourmet makeover thanks to flavorful and zingy Italian-style diced tomatoes, savory chicken broth, and freshly ground black pepper. For the ultimate canned soup hack, add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Other upgrades include adding crunchy seasoned croutons, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon rind, or few teaspoons of freshly chopped basil, chives, and rosemary.

Recipe: Pam-Cakes With Buttered Honey Syrup

Hot, fluffy pancakes are a must when it comes to Southern comfort food breakfasts. Good for special occasions, Saturdays, and any time in between, the fluffy, pan-fried cakes are a staple Southern morning meal. We named these fluffy buttermilk pancakes after their creator, Test Kitchen and Southern Living Star, Pam Lolley. She perfected the art of pancake-making right here on Southern Living’s property, and we finally convinced her to share her all-star recipe with the rest of us. According to one reviewer, these best ever pancakes (“Pam-Cakes”) are truly “monumental.” Topped with Buttered Honey Syrup for a breakfast worthy of royalty. And Pam.

Recipe: Creole Jambalaya

Jambalaya – the dish of countless cookouts, tailgates, and supper clubs across the entire state of Louisiana. Often prepared by a mens’ club in a large iron pot, Jambalaya has many variations across its home state. From dry and spicy to creamy and stuffed with sausage, Jambalaya is only as versatile as it is beloved. In our classic creole version, we have loaded the Cajun dish with spicy smoked sausage, savory ham, and crispy red peppers for big, bold flavor. A true Cajun chef will tell you that what makes a good Cajun dish is good meat, so don’t skimp when it comes to choosing your ham and sausage. Find a local butcher who you trust, and order their finest, spiciest Cajun cuts.

Recipe: Million Dollar Pound Cake

We don’t use that term lightly – this “Million Dollar” pound cake is truly worthy of its lofty title. By far one of our most beloved Southern comfort cake recipes, this pound cake has withstood the many, many tests of time. Using only 7 ingredients – and all ingredients that are readily on hand in most Southern kitchens – this cake really delivers in a buttery, crumbly, just-sweet-enough dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, any time of year. For a billion-dollar version, dress up this classic Southern cake with even more sweet flavor with a drizzle of seasonal frosting, like Salted Caramel, Buttermilk, Browned Butter Cinnamon Cream Cheese, Blackberry Buttercream, or Blueberry Compote.