30 Classic Church Recipes Southerners Serve Every Sunday

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

When preparing for a church homecoming, potluck, or post-service spread, Southerners pull from a collection of church recipes we deem our Sunday Best. Through the generations, we’ve archived these classic recipes in church and community cookbooks, keeping them poised and at the ready, should Sunday morning mayhem ensue.

Known by many names, these church luncheon recipes fill every church basement and fellowship hall throughout the South. From the classic cold salads to the warm, creamy casseroles, these church food recipes are definitely worth praising. And praise we shall.

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1 of 31

Hot Chicken Salad

Transform your favorite summer dish into a bubbling, hot chicken salad casserole.

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2 of 31

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

The name says it all. This classic potato salad was practically made to be a church potluck staple. 

3 of 31

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Don't mess with a good thing, the church ladies would say. A version of poppyseed casserole shows up on every Southern table, from time to time. 

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Southern Living

Recipe: Mama’s Fried Chicken

Consider this the ultimate church potluck all-star. Add some mashed potatoes, collard greens, and biscuits? You're set with a happy congregation.

5 of 31

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

The church hostesses sure love tricking us into eating raw broccoli by serving it up in this creamy pasta salad. 

6 of 31

Extra-Easy Lasagna

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

Recipe: Extra-Easy Lasagna

We know why this lasagna recipe is a potluck staple: It has only five ingredients. It's the perfect dish to bring when you almost forgot altogether. (It happens.)

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7 of 31

Tarragon Chicken Salad

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tarragon Chicken Salad

Dress up classic chicken salad with lemon and tarragon. Chopped pecans, Granny Smith apples, celery, and red onion give amazing crunch. 

8 of 31

Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler

We have to serve up salty, cubed ham somehow. It's practically a rule. This savory cobbler uses frozen veggies for ultimate ease. 

9 of 31

Pear Salad

Southern Living

Recipe: Pear Salad 

The church hall might be the only place some Southerners still see this retro salad. It's made with lettuce, canned pears, mayonnaise, Cheddar cheese, and maraschino cherries.

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10 of 31

King Ranch Chicken

Southern Living

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken

This Tex-Mex dish is a familiar face at our parties and potlucks. We just know it originated in a Junior League or church cookbook.

11 of 31

Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Because Sunday morning shouldn't be spent peeling and slicing potatoes. For this recipe, frozen hash browns offer a hearty base for the cheesy casserole. 

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Ham Salad

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Ham Salad

Nostalgic for many, this old-school spread can be made ahead and kept at the ready in the fellowship hall.

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Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cheesy Sausage and Croissant Casserole

Ah, the brunch spread after an early church service is something delicious to behold. This cheesy casserole is a no-brainer. 

14 of 31

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

In a sea of chicken casseroles, this old-school spaghetti bake stands out as the star. 

15 of 31

Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

Abigail Wilt

Recipe: Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

Is it a real church spread without a bowl full of creamy fruit salad? We think not. With a base of canned fruit for convenience and a creamy, whipped "dressing," this recipe is a hidden weapon in any hostess' arsenal.

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Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Fancy, but also relatable? This is the perfect casserole for a crowd. It's chock-full with chicken, pasta, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. 

17 of 31

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

There are few things that belong together as much as chicken and rice. This crowd-pleasing casserole gets a special crunch from water chestnuts. 

18 of 31

Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

Southern Living

Recipe: Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

It's hard to beat the light and fluffy cloud of whipped cream that coats this fresh corn salad. Dressed up and dreamy, this dish calls for only four ingredients. 

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Boarding House Meatloaf

Southern Living

Recipe: Boarding House Meatloaf 

Meatloaf is one of those comfort foods Southern folks crave in the fall and winter seasons. This might be our most popular rendition ever. 

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

As far as we're concerned, this classic dish can go wherever it pleases, including the church hall.

21 of 31

Spaghetti Casserole

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

When the church hall needs something hearty, comforting, and warm, this easy casserole is the universal answer. Not to mention, it's a slow-cooker version, which means it'll be even simpler than your usual recipe. 

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22 of 31

New Tuna Casserole

Greg Dupree

Recipe: New Tuna Casserole

Tuna noodle casserole is an old-fashioned favorite that still makes a regular appearance on our supper tables. We’re not retiring this recipe anytime soon. 

23 of 31

Old School Squash Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

No matter the season, you'll see this classic on the fellowship spread. 

24 of 31

Deviled Eggs

Southern Living

Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs

It's not all about the hot dishes. A tray of well-seasoned deviled eggs will disappear quicker than any casserole.  

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Quiche Lorraine

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Quiche Lorraine

Fast and fancy, quiche is never a bad idea. Popular first in the 70s, this recipe has always been beloved by Southern Living readers. 

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Hashbrown Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Because we know that the whole congregation will swoon over this creamy, cheesy, cornflake-topped casserole that starts with a bag of frozen potatoes.

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Thai Noodle Salad

Jennifer Davick / Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine / Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Thai Noodle Salad

Whether it be this nutty noodle salad or a crunchy noodle slaw, every church cookbook holds a dish with some Asian flair. This salad is a crowd-favorite. 

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Creamy Egg Strata

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Creamy Egg Strata

This brunch classic lets simplicity rule. Bread, eggs, cheese, and a creamy filling make it a Southern Sunday staple. 

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Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Southern Living

Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Because it's the only way mashed potatoes can make it until after the service. These make-ahead potatoes are the perfect side dish.

30 of 31

White Lightning Chicken Chili

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: White Lightning Chicken Chili

This hearty chicken chili comforts those nursing wintertime sniffles. And it lives up to its name, ready in just 30 minutes.

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