Food and Recipes Recipes 46 Classic Church Recipes Southerners Serve Every Sunday By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 19, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos 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. Consider this collection of time-tested recipes your official church lady cookbook. These all-time-favorite recipes for appetizers, mains, and desserts are well-suited for a variety of occasions, from picnics to potlucks. Of course, they deliver on flavor, but these dishes are best served with a side of nostalgia. That's right: break out Mama's passed-down Pyrex dishes. This compilation is full of delightful dips and fan-favorite casseroles. From the classic cold salads to our best-ever Cinnamon Coffee Cake, these church food recipes are definitely worth praising. And praise we shall. 01 of 46 Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad 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. 02 of 46 Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed 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. 03 of 46 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. 04 of 46 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. 05 of 46 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.) 06 of 46 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. 07 of 46 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. 08 of 46 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. 09 of 46 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. 10 of 46 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. 11 of 46 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. 12 of 46 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. 13 of 46 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. 14 of 46 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. 15 of 46 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. 16 of 46 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. 17 of 46 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. 18 of 46 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. 19 of 46 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. 20 of 46 Old-School Squash Casserole Greg DuPree Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole No matter the season, you'll see this classic on the fellowship spread. 21 of 46 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. 22 of 46 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. 23 of 46 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. 24 of 46 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. 25 of 46 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. 26 of 46 Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese Southern Living Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese Because it's the only way mashed potatoes can make it until after the service. These make-ahead potatoes are the perfect side dish. 27 of 46 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. 28 of 46 Ham Delights Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Ham Delights Southerners have an affinity for King's Hawaiian Rolls, and you'd be hard pressed to find a church gathering that doesn't have a big batch of baked ham rolls on the lineup. 29 of 46 Tomato Tea Sandwiches Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches This quick recipe is a big-batch, portable version of the Southern-favorite tomato sandwich. The secret ingredient that takes the flavors over the top? A bit of our famous Summer Sauce. 30 of 46 Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham Jen Causey Recipe: Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham We dare you to find a Southern grandmother who doesn't have a macaroni salad recipe in her repertoire. This one is the perfect make-ahead option that can chill in the fridge the night before church. 31 of 46 Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins Sure, it's easy to stop by the bakery or grocery store and grab some donuts for the after-church gathering, but trust us when we say that even beginner bakers can make these sweet doughnut hole muffins. 32 of 46 Tee's Corn Pudding Jennifer Davick Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding If there's a Southern sideboard in view, there's a casserole dish brimming with corn pudding on it. This has been our go-to recipe for decades, and it's as reliable as church on Sunday. 33 of 46 Sausage Balls Lee Harrelson Recipe: Sausage Balls Every Southerner has a recipe for sausage balls lying around, and this quick recipe is always welcome at church gatherings. If you want to mix up the classic, try our new recipe for Pimiento Cheese Sausage Balls. 34 of 46 Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad Southern Living Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad It wouldn't be a church function without a little jiggly Jello action, y'all. This sweet and salty combination tastes like nostalgia to us. 35 of 46 Homemade Baked Beans Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Recipe: Homemade Baked Beans Even if you don't have time to start from dried beans, you can get a dish of classic baked beans to the church cookout with this family-favorite recipe. 36 of 46 Sausage-Stuffed Honey Buns Iain Bagwell Recipe: Sausage-Stuffed Honey Buns A church brunch isn't complete without sweet honey buns. We added just enough savory flavor with the addition of sausage. Be sure you grab one before they're gone! 37 of 46 Fresh Fruit Salad Jen Causey Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad Among a sea of casseroles and sweets, a big bowl of fresh fruit is always welcome at church events. Mamas of little ones will thank you. 38 of 46 Permanent Slaw Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan Recipe: Permanent Slaw The longer this cole slaw sits, the more delicious it becomes, so it's an ideal make-ahead side dish option for the church cookout. 39 of 46 Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls We've been using this trusty recipe for yeast rolls since 1995, and you can count on it, too. 40 of 46 Chubba Bubba's Broccoli Salad Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Chubba Bubba's Broccoli Salad Every Southern gathering needs an array of "salads" like potato, pasta, Jello, and of course, broccoli. 41 of 46 Cinnamon Coffee Cake Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Cinnamon Coffee Cake This old-fashioned coffee cake recipe is the perfect companion to the after-church coffee and tea. 42 of 46 Best Waldorf Salad Southern Living Recipe: Best Waldorf Salad This classic salad has been an entertainer's trusty friend for decades. It comes together quickly but always looks pretty. 43 of 46 Creamed-Corn Grits Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Creamed-Corn Grits This oh-so-comforting (and Southern) blend of creamed corn and grits can be served at any time of day, making it great for gatherings of all kinds. 44 of 46 Hot Chicken Salad Southern Living Recipe: Hot Chicken Salad Transform your favorite summer dish into a bubbling, hot chicken salad casserole. 45 of 46 Ham Salad Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Ham Salad Nostalgic for many, this old-school spread can be made ahead and kept at the ready in the fellowship hall. 46 of 46 Deviled Egg-Potato Salad Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Deviled Egg-Potato Salad Two Southern cookout essentials meet in this new favorite side dish recipe that will earn five-star reviews from your church crew. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit