Shortcuts for Classic Main Dishes

Beth Dreiling Hontzas
How do you prefer your Southern favorites? One is the classic tried-and-true recipe and the other is reinvented for quick weeknight meals.
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Mama's Way: Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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
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Your Way: Stovetop Chicken Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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

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Mama's Way: Bev's Famous Meatloaf

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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
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Your Way: Better-for-You Turkey Meatloaf

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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

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Mama's Way: Chicken Under a Skillet

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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

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Your Way: Spicy Honey-Lime Grilled Drumsticks

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: 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
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Mama's Way: Classic Fried Catfish

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: 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

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Your Way: Crispy Oven-Fried Catfish

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

    Recipe: 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

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    Mama's Way: Classic Chicken and Dumplings

    Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

    Recipe: 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
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    Your Way: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

    Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

    Recipe: 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

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

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    Mama's Way: Game Day Chili

    Beth Dreiling Hontzas

      Recipe: 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

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      Your Way: Big-Batch Veggie Chili

      Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

      Recipe: 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
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      Mama's Way: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

      Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

      Recipe: 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

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      Your Way: Chicken Marsala Tetrazzini

      Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

      Recipe: 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

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      Mama's Way: Honey-Bourbon Glazed Ham

      Photo: Beau Gustafson

      Recipe: 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
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      Your Way: Orange Glazed Ham

      Photo: Jennifer Davick

      Recipe: 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

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      Mama's Way: Kentucky Hot Browns

      Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

      Recipe: 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

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      Your Way: Kentucky Hot Brown Tart

      Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

      Recipe: 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
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