Food and Recipes Dish 55 Family Reunion Recipes Guaranteed To Impress By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 28, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy Family reunions are all about getting together with the family members you don't see every day and catching up on old times and new. As with most Southern events, however, family reunions quickly become about something more. Kinship? Gratitude? Love? Well, yes, but we were thinking of another word—food! Like any good Southern potluck, family reunions are full of incredible homemade dishes, many of which are nostalgic for attendees. You look forward to Maw Maw's batch of decadent fudge cut into thick squares. Everyone knows they have to take a bite of Aunt Nancy's congealed salad to save her feelings. Even 99-year-old Grandpa and 2-year-old Baby Mae can find common ground around a batch of homemade baked mac and cheese. Family reunion recipes are part of what makes these gatherings special. As they're passed down, tweaked, reused, and loved, family reunion recipes bring generations closer together. Trust us: These all-time favorite family reunion recipes will please even your pickiest relatives. 01 of 55 Best Deviled Eggs Southern Living Is it even a family gathering without a plate of deviled eggs? Never. Our recipe adds a touch of sweetness with sweet pickle relish and makes enough to serve 12. 02 of 55 Mama's Fried Chicken Southern Living When Mama makes fried chicken, you better believe she does it well. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the secret to this decadent recipe is the buttermilk. Make sure to soak your chicken in buttermilk for at least two hours before frying. 03 of 55 Southern Cobb Salad With Cornbread Croutons Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis We added a Southern spin to Cobb salad with the addition of cornbread croutons and black-eyed peas. But we kept it classic with salty bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and a honey mustard dressing. Though this salad requires the extra step of making croutons, after you taste it you may never go back to the original. 04 of 55 Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing Baked on a large sheet pan, this cake was truly made to serve a crowd. The defining elements are its shape and a rich batter that incorporates buttermilk and Dr. Pepper. The decadent fudge icing is heated and poured on the warm, just-out-of-the-oven cake. 05 of 55 Reunion Pea Casserole Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Impress even Grandma by showing up to the family meal with this cheesy, veggie-packed casserole. The "pea" refers to black-eyed peas, but you can also use purple hull, crowder peas, or other field peas with wonderful names like Whippoorwill, Lady Cream, and Pinkey. Crescent roll dough and a sausage cheese filling send this dish over the top. 06 of 55 Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland Even if the family reunion is planned for the middle of summer, there's always a batch of meatballs sitting in a slow cooker to stay warm. In this sweet-and-tangy recipe, meatballs soak in a mixture of grape jelly, chili sauce, Sriracha, and barbecue sauce. Use your favorite frozen meatballs to save time. 07 of 55 Homemade Baked Beans Antonis Achilleos Backyard family reunions require a piping hot dish of baked beans with bacon. This recipe provides instructions for using either dried beans or canned. Either is delicious dressed up with onion, ketchup, brown sugar and molasses, and the secret ingredient, Worcestershire sauce. 08 of 55 Permanent Slaw Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan A heaping bowl of coleslaw belongs right alongside the baked beans at a Southern cookout. Made with finely shredded angel hair cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, sweet onions, and a sweet and sour apple cider vinegar dressing, this slaw becomes more flavorful the longer it sits (hence the name). Serve on its own or atop pulled pork or fried chicken sandwiches. 09 of 55 Pineapple Casserole Southern Living To those outside the South, "pineapple casserole" might sound bizarre, but to many, it's just as much a potluck staple as fried chicken. The simple six-ingredient concoction includes canned pineapple, Cheddar cheese, and Ritz crackers baked to buttery perfection. If you're wondering whether to serve this as a side dish or dessert, the answer is both. 10 of 55 Oven-Baked Baby Back Ribs Photographer: Greg DuPree Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey Serve up ribs without the need to use a grill or smoker by baking them in the oven. By wrapping the ribs in aluminum foil and cooking them at a low temperature, you ensure that you'll have moist and tender results. A dry rub with smoked paprika creates the characteristic smoky flavor. 11 of 55 Broccoli Cheese Casserole Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Trust us, covering broccoli in cheese is the best way to serve it at a reunion. Our recipe features a creamy sauce made with whole milk and Cheddar cheese and thickened with a flour-and-butter roux. Assemble this recipe ahead of time and refrigerate until you need to pop it in the oven. 12 of 55 Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham Jen Causey A mixture of chopped ham, peppers, and macaroni tossed with a mayonnaise dressing—this recipe will taste like pure nostalgia. That is, until you discern the distinctly Southern kick it gets from Cajun seasoning. Chill this fuss-free salad for at least two hours before serving. 13 of 55 Easy Peach Cobbler Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Even beginner cooks can pull off a classic peach cobbler recipe; just don't forget the vanilla ice cream. This unpretentious six-ingredient recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, and you don't have to fuss over a pie crust. Use juicy, fresh peaches in season for stunning results. 14 of 55 Ham Delights Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer These finger sandwiches make an appearance at most gatherings in the South, but this recipe gussies them up with a few basic ingredients. Take store-bought Hawaiin bread and deli ham and add everything bagel seasoning, Gouda cheese, and a slathering of mayonnaise, mustard, and maple syrup. Bake into gooey goodness just before serving. 15 of 55 Oven-Roasted Corn On The Cob Caitlin Bensel Let the flavors of fresh summer corn shine by roasting it with plenty of fresh herbs and butter. If you haven't given this method a try, oven-roasted corn tastes much like grilled corn but with much less work. Each cob is wrapped individually in foil for ultimate flavor. 16 of 55 Sausage Balls Southern Living Our Sausage Balls essentially are bite-size sausage and cheese biscuits, which makes them appropriate for serving at a brunch or a picnic dinner. Mix three ingredients, shape into balls, and bake for a handheld treat that your family members will fight over. Though the recipe makes eight dozen, you just may need a double batch. 17 of 55 Chicken Spaghetti Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer A 13- x 9-inch baking dish filled with colorful chicken spaghetti will be the talk of the day. This variation of the traditional casserole includes loads of fresh vegetables along with Cheddar cheese, evaporated milk, and chicken stock. Though there are a few steps involved, the whole dish is prepared in one Dutch oven. 18 of 55 Kitchen Sink Cookies Jennifer Causey Why bring plain chocolate chip cookies to an event when you can offer wow-worthy cookies full of sweet and salty goodness? Here semi-sweet chocolate chunks are enhanced by crushed corn chips and a sprinkling of sea salt. Chopped almonds and a half cup of oats add a hearty texture. 19 of 55 Easy Squash Casserole Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy Besides being a crowd-pleaser, this recipe will use up 3 pounds of extra produce from your garden. Fresh summer squash is baked in a rich mixture of butter, cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise. Sprinkle crushed buttery crackers on top to brown in the oven. 20 of 55 Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls Laurey W. Glenn We bet you can't find a family reunion in the South that doesn't have a basket of warm rolls on the buffet. As the name implies, the dough for these rolls is made ahead of time and refrigerated for several hours until you set it out to rise. These rolls can also be made long in advance and frozen. 21 of 55 Cream Cheese Brownies Micah A. Leal If you're wary of making a complicated layer cake or homemade pie crust, warm, gooey brownies will always satisfy a crowd. After the batter is poured into a baking pan, the cream cheese mixture is swirled in. The result is a rich and dense brownie that is delicious alone and even better with a scoop of vanilla. 22 of 55 Old-Fashioned Tomato Pie Iain Bagwell Old-Fashioned Tomato Pie is summer perfection thanks to garden fresh tomatoes and herbs. The filling is poured in a traditional pie crust and topped with grated Gruyere and Parmesan. Tomato pie is good whether served hot, warm, or at room temperature. 23 of 55 Lime Gelatin and Cottage Cheese Salad Southern Living It's not a Southern family reunion without at least one congealed salad on the buffet. This version includes crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, and an unexpected touch of horseradish. Use a pretty mold to impress the guests. 24 of 55 Tee's Corn Pudding Jennifer Davick Corn pudding is a classic Southern side that doesn't need to be reserved for Thanksgiving. With only eight ingredients and very little hands-on time, this recipe is a busy cook's dream. If fresh corn isn't available, use frozen or canned. 25 of 55 Heavenly Key Lime Pie Jennifer Davick There isn't an easier pie than this one, and your relatives will insist it was sent straight from heaven. Just remember to prepare key lime pie a couple of hours in advance so the pie can chill. Top with a thick layer of whipped cream and slices of lime. 26 of 55 Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles Southern Living Classic Southern potato salad gets a welcome zip from sweet pickles and spicy brown mustard. In this recipe, the hard-boiled eggs are grated, ensuring they flavor every bite. Serve at room temperature or chill. 27 of 55 Best-Ever Macaroni And Cheese PHOTOGRAPHER: STACY K. ALLEN. FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DALEY No one would ever dare show up to the family reunion with boxed mac and cheese in tow—only a cheesy, creamy, baked version will do. We've tried them all, and this one takes the prize. After cooking on the stovetop, we mix in cubes of Cheddar that will bake into velvety goodness. 28 of 55 Strawberry Pretzel Salad Southern Living This recipe layers a salty pretzel crust, sweet whipped topping, and tangy sour cream with a scrumptious strawberry filling. A gelatin salad is often found on the table next to the potato and macaroni salads, so go ahead and count those frozen strawberries as your daily fruit intake. Or, save the sweetness for dessert. 29 of 55 New Tuna Casserole With Potato Chips Greg Dupree Tuna noodle casserole has been gracing Southern tables for decades. This recipe has all the comforting flavors you love but with fresh alternatives to the can of condensed soup. Then it's topped with potato chips, a crunchy counterpart to the creamy casserole. 30 of 55 Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge Southern Living Newspapers across the land printed the fudge attributed to Mrs. Eisenhower shortly after she became First Lady in 1953. We're not sure if the recipe was really hers, but under any name it makes our mouths water. Easy to make and easier to pick up at parties, indulgent chocolate fudge will never last long. 31 of 55 Poppy Seed Chicken Southern Living Poppy seed casseroles are a staple of Southern potlucks, whether filled with turkey, chicken, or ham. By using readily available staples like cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and basic cooked chicken, our poppy seed chicken recipe is a handy main dish to make for your next gathering. Sprinkle with parsley before serving for a bit of color. 32 of 55 Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad Southern Living People get heated about what does and doesn't belong in chicken salad (grapes, apples, nuts? none of the above? all of the above?) This simple, old-school recipe will keep everyone at the reunion happy. Boiled eggs and pickle relish are optional. 33 of 55 Skillet Cornbread Jennifer Causey Southerners know the best homemade cornbread comes straight from a cast-iron skillet. And of course, a buttermilk batter is best. This recipe uses bacon drippings, both in the pan and in the batter, for ultimate flavor and a crisp, golden crust. 34 of 55 Baked Ziti With Sausage Southern Living Baked ziti is cheesy and oh-so-easy to pull together. This dish uses three cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—along with a flavorful, homemade tomato sauce with ground sausage and pancetta. But don't worry, most of the cooking takes place in the oven. 35 of 55 Coca-Cola Cake Micah A. Leal Southerners have been cooking with Coca-Cola for years, and it's one of the most popular ways to make chocolate cakes even more delicious. The layers are flavored with buttermilk, cocoa powder, and cola, then iced with a Coca-Cola and cream cheese frosting. This outstanding cake will have the guests coming back 36 of 55 Tuna Pasta Salad Caitlin Bensel This lightened-up, brightened-up version of old-school tuna pasta salad will still delight Maw Maw, we promise. The recipe is packed with fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, and some pickled peppers and dressed with a lemon-herb vinaigrette. Use tuna canned in oil for the best texture. 37 of 55 Lemonade Iced Tea Jennifer Davick Much like an Arnold Palmer, our blend of lemonade and iced tea comes together to create one refreshing drink. Mint leaves make it even fresher. Set out a bottle of bourbon for guests who want a spiked version. 38 of 55 Luscious Lemon Bars Southern Living There always needs to be an option for non-chocolate lovers, and more often than not, it's a plate full of beautifully bright lemon bars. In this version, both the crust and the topping are sweetened up with powdered sugar. If you can manage not to eat them all, these gooey treats can be frozen for up to a month. 39 of 55 Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall If someone is bringing fried chicken (which they will), then someone has to bring mashed potatoes to go with it. In this traditional recipe, Russet potatoes are enriched with tangy buttermilk, creamy butter, and velvety rich crème fraîche. Potatoes can be reheated for the event in a slow cooker. 40 of 55 Hello Dolly Bars Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell Southern grandmothers know there's much to be done with a can of sweetened condensed milk, including this favorite cookie bar recipe. The graham cracker crust is sprinkled with layers of chocolate chips, pecans, and shredded coconut. Cool completely before attempting to cut. 41 of 55 Old-School Green Bean Casserole Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Of all the vegetable casseroles Southerners love to serve at holidays and beyond, green bean casserole is king. This is another casserole classic we've remade without the can of condensed soup, and no one will complain one bit about the crispy fried onions. This casserole can be assembled in advance and baked on the day of the reunion. 42 of 55 Hashbrown Casserole Southern Living If your relations expect you to show up with a homemade dish in tow, Hashbrown Casserole is the easiest way to satisfy them. Also known as funeral casserole, this comforting dish uses frozen hash browns and cream of chicken soup for quick preparation. With its topping of crunchy cornflakes, a hashbrown casserole will be devoured when served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 43 of 55 Chocolate Lasagna Southern Living Who wants a layered chocolate-and-whipped cream dessert? All hands should go up. Layers of crumbled chocolate cookies, a cream cheese mixture, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream result in an airy confection that simply melts in your mouth. 44 of 55 Pecan Pie Southern LIving Traditional pecan pie is basically the queen bee of the Southern dessert table. This recipe uses refrigerated pie crust and only takes about 10 minutes to get ready to pop right in the oven. We like to use roughly chopped nuts for ultimate texture and flavor. 45 of 55 New Turkey Tetrazzini Alison Miksch Mama has had this recipe for years, and no one ever complains when it shows up to the family reunion. Plus, it's a great use of leftover turkey and boxes of stuffing. Fresh mushrooms and spinach make this dish even more alluring. 46 of 55 Classic Fresh Field Peas Photo: Iain Bagwell Summer brings an abundance of fresh veggies, including field peas. We love to prep them old-school style with smoked ham hocks for rich flavor. Remove the hocks after cooking, but stir in any bits of ham you find. 47 of 55 Chubba Bubba's Broccoli Salad Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Southerners know that "salad" is a fluid term, and this is one of our favorite iterations of it. We use a combination of cauliflower and broccoli for a different take. The salad is loaded with bacon and cheese but lightened with a vinegary dressing. 48 of 55 Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes Beth Dreiling Hontzas Whether your family prefers potatoes au gratin or scalloped, we can bet one of the two will show up at the reunion. Slicing the potatoes is the hard part; then they're simply layered in a dish and covered with cream and cheese. Experiment with different cheeses and seasonings to play with the flavor. 49 of 55 Pan-Fried Okra with Cornmeal Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Although you usually receive deep-fried okra in restaurants, Southerners have been pan-frying it like this for years. Simply saute until bright green, sprinkle with seasoning and cornmeal, and cook until golden brown. It's a simple hack that allows the vegetable to shine. 50 of 55 New-Fashioned Banana Pudding Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis One of the South's most beloved desserts, banana pudding is a cookout staple. Give Mama's recipe a run for her money with this version, which uses a dreamy homemade pudding with real vanilla beans. We include instructions for layering in a baking dish for a crowd. 51 of 55 Fresh Fruit Salad Jen Causey No family picnic is complete without a fruit salad. This version is heavy on the berries and tossed with orange juice and mint leaves for extra zest. Prepare ahead of time so the flavors can soak in for at least an hour. 52 of 55 Fish Fry Caitlin Bensel A fish fry is a hands-on activity—good thing you'll have a crowd of people to help you out. We break down the art of frying catfish, from slicing it to soaking it. Your family will love every hot and tender morsel. 53 of 55 Creamy Cucumber Salad Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living This cooling mixture of cucumber, onion, and dill is an excellent complement to barbecue or fried chicken on a hot day. We like to use Duke's mayonnaise for the dressing, but you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter version. Make the salad the day you are serving it so it won't become watery. 54 of 55 Southern Pimento Cheese Southern Living Pimento cheese is a versatile dip that tastes just as good on a stick of celery as it does on crackers, tortilla chips, or potato chips. You'll find the usual ingredients here, but one thing makes our pimiento cheese stand out: the addition of dill pickle juice. Add cayenne if you like more bite in your pimento. 55 of 55 Sea Salt Ice Cream Greg DuPree Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey While we're perfectly happy to scoop vanilla from a tub, bringing homemade ice cream will really wow the crowd. This recipe combines vanilla and sea salt with a rich custard. Sea Salt Ice Cream can be savored on its own or atop a rich and sweet dessert. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit