50 Classic Comfort Food Recipes That Can't Be Beat By Patricia S York Patricia S York Patricia was the assistant food editor at Southern Living and worked with the Southern Living food team from 2006-2022. She contributed to articles about food, gardening, and pets. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 19, 2025 Close Credit: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Jewel; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley 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 foodswe've turned to again and again for decades. We're talking cheesy casseroles, traditional stews, fried bites, and even scrumptious desserts. 18 Comfort Food Recipes You Can Make In 30 Minutes—Or Less 01 of 50 Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Sally McKay; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser Whether you're under the weather or just looking for a comforting meal in a bowl, this made-from-scratch chicken soup delivers in under an hour. get the recipe Save 02 of 50 Hashbrown Casserole Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox It's a side dish, a breakfast casserole, a comforting dinner, a potluck winner—Hashbrown Casserole can do it all, and you can even make it ahead. get the recipe Save 03 of 50 Easy Chocolate Cake Credit: Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser Nothing cures quite like rich, fudgy, extra decadent chocolate cake. The best part? This recipe is designed with ease in mind. get the recipe Save 04 of 50 Mississippi Pot Roast Credit: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Pepperoncini, ranch seasoning, and French onion soup mix are the trip of ingredients that give this slow cooked beef its delicious tangy flavor. get the recipe Save 05 of 50 Bologna Salad Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Readers have shared over and over again how this creamy bologna salad reminds them of growing up. A creamy mixture of bologna, mayonnaise, mustard, onions, and pickles is one to add to your list. get the recipe Save 06 of 50 King Ranch Chicken Casserole Credit: Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley True to its name, this is the king of chicken casseroles. Packed with corn tortillas, green chiles, shredded chicken, and cheese, it's a hearty meal that makes everyone happy. get the recipe Save 07 of 50 Million Dollar Pound Cake Credit: Will Dickey A tender crumb and a flaky, sugary crust make this classic cake a keeper. Get the Recipe Save 08 of 50 Sausage Gravy And Biscuits Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox If you prefer your biscuits smothered in peppery sausage gravy, this classic Southern recipe is the gold standard. get the recipe Save 09 of 50 Mama's Fried Chicken Credit: Southern Living Skip the bucket of fast-food fried chicken and remember what it's like to eat "real" fried chicken like Mama used to make. Get the Recipe Save 10 of 50 Sausage Breakfast Casserole Credit: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Packed with Cheddar and pork sausage, this comforting casserole is a great way to start the day or enjoy breakfast for dinner. get the recipe Save 11 of 50 Vegetable Beef Soup Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel It's hard to believe this rich and hearty beef soup is done in 30 minutes. Plus, the recipe serves 10, so you'll likely have leftovers to freeze. get the recipe Save 12 of 50 Chicken-Fried Steak With Cream Gravy Credit: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Jewel; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley This is old-school Southern comfort food at its finest. Tender cube steaks are breaded in a crisp cracker coating, fried until golden, and topped with a creamy white gravy. get the recipe Save 13 of 50 Easy Peanut Butter Cookies Credit: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabor Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley If you've got no cookies in the house and a serious dessert craving, this simple recipe is made with just four basic ingredients: sugar, peanut butter, an egg, and vanilla extract. get the recipe Save 14 of 50 Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pies Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez Lose the big casserole dish for the day. These adorably mini pot pies are packed with major flavor. Get the Recipe Save 15 of 50 Fresh Peach Cobbler Credit: Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman This cakey cobbler is an easy way to show off fresh peaches, but the recipe also works with canned or frozen fruit. Get the Recipe Save 16 of 50 Meatloaf Casserole Credit: Micah A. Leal One of the world's favorite Fall dishes is a hearty shepherd's pie, and our meatloaf casserole recipe is a Southern twist on the classic. Get the Recipe Save 17 of 50 Southern-Style Collard Greens Credit: Jim Franco; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Simon Andrews Crispy bacon, sautéed onion, ham, and garlic perfect these collard greens, making them an essential part of your traditional Southern feast. Get the Recipe Save 18 of 50 Quick White Chicken Chili Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel This 30-minute version of our classic White Chicken Chili saves you time in the kitchen and delivers the same creamy, spicy dish we all love. get the recipe Save 19 of 50 Poppy Seed Chicken Credit: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle A classic bake-and-take dish, this creamy chicken casserole is an easy dinner to make for your family, a gathering, or for someone in need of a comforting meal. get the recipe Save 20 of 50 Homestyle Butterbeans Credit: WILLIAM DICKEY This classic side dish is a holiday favorite all over the South. With just seven ingredients, including salt and pepper, these beans come together to make a rich, indulgent dish with little effort. Get the Recipe Save 21 of 50 Mom's Butterscotch Oaties Credit: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely If you want your kitchen to smell like you just walked into a delicious bakery, these cookies will do just the trick. These simple treats let the butterscotch chips be the star for a rich bite. Get the Recipe Save 22 of 50 Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox 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. Get the Recipe Save 23 of 50 Classic Beef Pot Roast Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen You can almost hear the dinner bell calling you in for this comforting meat-and-potatoes meal. Get the Recipe Save 24 of 50 Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits Credit: Brian Woodcock Delicious filled with fried chicken or country ham, slathered with jelly, or nestled in a breadbasket at dinner time, these tender, flaky buttermilk biscuits are one of our most beloved recipes ever. get the recipe Save 25 of 50 Heirloom Tomato Pie Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely While many people might find this to be an unusual dish, Southerners know that tomato pie is a bright and delicious comfort food. This recipe uses heirloom tomatoes for a stunning look and fabulous flavor. Get the Recipe Save 26 of 50 Apple Crumble Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Apples are a common ingredient among Southern desserts, and this apple crumble is a perfect way to enjoy them. Caramelized apples and a cinnamon-kissed streusel make for the most inviting fall dessert. Get the Recipe Save 27 of 50 Smoked Turkey-and-Andouille Gumbo Recipe Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox Beau Beaullieu and Andy Soileau's New Iberia Kiwanis Club team has taken first place 11 times at the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff. This is the recipe for their mélange gumbo that won in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Enough said. Get the Recipe Save 28 of 50 Our Best Lasagna Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless This classic lasagna recipe perfectly matches traditional Italian ingredients with a homemade sauce. Layers of cheese, meat, and pasta make the tastiest trio. Get the Recipe Save 29 of 50 Green Bean Casserole Credit: Rob Culpepper; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Assistant Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle When there's a holiday gathering in the South, there's a green bean casserole on the table. This recipe takes you back to the classics for a rich, delicious side dish. Get the Recipe Save 30 of 50 Mississippi Mud Cake Credit: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke People all around the United States love this sweet, rich dessert, and our recipe is an easy-to-make classic version that is sure to be a hit at any get-together. Get the Recipe Save 31 of 50 Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew Credit: Southern Living 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. Get the Recipe Save 32 of 50 Classic Chicken Tetrazzini Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Freshly-grated Parmesan adds the cheesiest flavor to this casserole recipe that's great for making ahead and freezing. Get the Recipe Save 33 of 50 Old-Fashioned Meatloaf Credit: Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless 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. Get the Recipe Save 34 of 50 Best Pecan Pie Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox 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. Get the Recipe Save 35 of 50 Southern Skillet Cornbread Credit: Southern Living 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. Get the Recipe Save 36 of 50 Fried Pork Chops with Potatoes and Peas Credit: Greg DuPree Any dish with hearty potatoes and tasty gravy is bound to stay in the weeknight rotation, and these pork chops are no exception. Get the Recipe Save 37 of 50 Homemade Mashed Potatoes Credit: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Yukon gold potatoes yield a texture that's just right for holding a pool of flavorful turkey gravy or melted butter. Get the Recipe Save 38 of 50 Classic Fried Catfish Credit: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Catfish is an extremely popular fried treat throughout the South, and our fried catfish recipe is simple and oh-so crispy. Get the Recipe Save 39 of 50 Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner Mac and cheese is a favorite any time of year, but this butternut squash twist makes for a rich, earthy flavor addition perfect for Fall. Get the Recipe Save 40 of 50 Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole Credit: Southern Living Packed with egg noodles, sour cream, cream cheese, and a delicious tomato-beef mixture, this might be our heartiest dinner casserole ever. Get the Recipe Save 41 of 50 Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans Credit: Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans Flavored with thick-cut bacon, these barbecue beans are a surefire way to jazz up any cookout. Get the Recipe Save 42 of 50 Beef Tamale Pie Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall A sauced-up ground beef mixture with tomatoes and black beans is made even better when topped with traditional corn muffin topping and jalapeños. Get the Recipe Save 43 of 50 Old-School Squash Casserole Credit: Greg DuPree Southerners cannot get enough of buttery, creamy, cheesy squash casserole in all of its glory. Get the Recipe Save 44 of 50 Jessica Harris' Red Rice Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This flavor-charged rice has been a staple of Lowcountry cuisine for centuries. Get the Recipe Save 45 of 50 Egg Custard Pie Credit: Antonis Achilleos This Depression Era pie is simple and perfect every time. Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh peaches or berries. Get the Recipe Save 46 of 50 Classic Beef Stroganoff Credit: Antonis Achilleos We'll take this warm and comforting meal on any weeknight. This recipe is homemade and special without trying to be too fancy. Get the Recipe Save 47 of 50 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen 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. Get the Recipe Save 48 of 50 Cowboy Casserole Credit: Micah A. Leal 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. Get the Recipe Save 49 of 50 Southern Penicillin Soup Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Rely on a bowl of this warm noodle soup to cure a cold or beat the winter blues or a not-so-great day. get the recipe Save 50 of 50 Deviled Grits Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless We gave the old-fashioned favorite a flavorful upgrade with savory bacon and brown sugar for the ultimate comfort dish. get the recipe Save Explore more: Food and Recipes Dish Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit