17 Comforting Southern Recipes Packed with Flavor

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Southern cuisine is cherished for its comforting, soulful flavors that bring people together. This collection of 17 recipes highlights some of the best of Southern cooking, from New Orleans-style red beans and rice to creamy baked mac and cheese. Whether you’re craving savory dishes like smothered pork chops or indulgent desserts like apple brown Betty, these recipes deliver the rich flavors and hearty portions that Southern cooking is known for. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, these dishes are sure to bring a taste of the South to your table.

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Recipe

This New Orleans Red Beans and Rice recipe features red kidney beans, smoked ham hocks, and andouille sausage, combined with bell pepper, celery, and onion. Seasoned with Creole spices and served over fluffy white rice, it offers a flavorful celebration that’s easy to make at home.

Get The Recipe: New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Recipe

Crawfish Etouffee

A bowl of Southern crawfish étouffée topped with white rice and garnished with chopped green onions and parsley. A red cloth and a pair of chopsticks rest beside the bowl on a light wooden surface.

Try this delicious crawfish étouffée recipe featuring tender crawfish tails in a rich gravy made with a perfect roux, the “holy trinity,” and aromatic herbs. Served over fluffy rice and topped with fresh green onions and parsley, it’s more than just a meal—it’s an experience!

Get The Recipe: Crawfish Etouffee

Deviled Ham

A bowl of chicken salad mixed with chopped celery and herbs, inspired by Southern recipes, is placed on a white surface. A serving spoon rests in the bowl, while two round crackers are partially visible in the upper right corner. A striped cloth can be seen in the top left. — Image Credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Prepare this quick and delicious Deviled Ham in under 10 minutes! Featuring a creamy mayo base, zesty spices, savory ham, and a crunchy touch from scallions and onions, it’s a flavorful addition to your cooking repertoire.

Get The Recipe: Deviled Ham

Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs

Get ready for some fall-off-the-bone deliciousness with this Sticky Glazed Ribs recipe! Whether you choose the oven or the grill, prepare for a finger-licking good meal that’s sure to please a crowd. Enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Baked or Barbecued Sticky Glazed Ribs

Easy Drop Biscuits

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This easy bake features a golden-brown exterior and a soft, fluffy interior, making it a potential new family favorite. It’s simple and delicious, ideal for those wanting to create something special without much hassle. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, it promises to bring smiles all around!

Get The Recipe: Easy Drop Biscuits

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Indulge in a creamy cheese dish made with three types of cheese, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and a hint of garlic. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a delightful treat that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing or enjoying solo. Grab your baking dish and get ready to impress!

Get The Recipe: Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

Brown Sugar Cake

A bundt cake with a glossy caramel glaze drips down the sides. A slice is cut, revealing a moist, golden interior. The cake is displayed on a white background, highlighting its rich texture and appetizing appearance. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Brown Sugar Bundt Cake is a delicious and impressive dessert, featuring a dense, tender crumb with rich brown sugar flavor and a decadent buttery caramel glaze. It offers an easy and rewarding baking experience that promises a cozy indulgence.

Get The Recipe: Brown Sugar Cake

Apple Brown Betty

A dish piled high with baked Apples and crumb topping. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This easy and delicious Apple Brown Betty recipe mixes soft apples with caramel sauce and a crunchy cinnamon crumb topping.

Get The Recipe: Apple Brown Betty

Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

A dish of mashed sweet potatoes topped with butter and ground black pepper. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These mashed sweet potatoes are a flavor explosion! Creamy, smooth, and packed with a delightful buttery taste, they’re the perfect way to elevate any meal.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Smothered Pork Chops

A plate of mashed potatoes and pork chops smothered in mushroom gravy, served with a side of steamed broccoli, reminiscent of classic smothered pork chops. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Weeknight dinners don’t get much better than this! These juicy pork chops practically cook themselves, bathed in a luxuriously rich caramelized onion and mushroom gravy. A quick sprinkle of melted cheese adds the finishing touch to this simple yet satisfying comfort food classic.

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe with Okra Pilaf

A table setting featuring a bowl of rice topped with sliced sausage and vegetables, a serving of rice in a smaller bowl, and a pot of soup with sausage and vegetables. A glass of iced tea is on the side. — Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Enjoy a flavor-packed Chicken and Sausage Gumbo served over okra rice pilaf. This delicious and comforting stew is easy to make, making it a perfect addition to any meal!
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe with Okra Pilaf

Fried Potatoes and Onions

Tender potatoes and onions are fried up until crispy in a pan packed with delicious bacon and garlic. It’s simple but oh-so-satisfying!

Get The Recipe: Fried Potatoes and Onions

Chicken Dumpling Soup

A creamy Southern recipe featuring artichoke hearts, carrots, celery, and strips of chicken. The ingredients are garnished with fresh herbs and immersed in a thick sauce. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Chicken Dumpling Soup recipe offers a warm and comforting meal featuring tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and hearty vegetables in a rich broth. It’s delicious and easy to prepare, inviting you to enjoy its delightful flavors for a cozy experience.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Macaroni Salad

Creamy and tangy, this classic macaroni salad is a delightful blend of tender pasta and a zesty dressing, creating a satisfying side dish that’s sure to steal the show at any summer gathering!

Get The Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Cozy Baked Apple Slices

Caramel is drizzled over ice cream and baked apples. — Image Credit: Namely Marly

This delightful dessert features warm baked apple slices topped with creamy ice cream and a rich caramel drizzle, creating a perfect treat for a cozy night in that satisfies sweet cravings with its delicious mix of flavors and textures.

Get the recipe: Cozy Baked Apple Slices with Caramel

Smothered Chicken

This smothered chicken recipe is so easy to whip up, whether you choose the stove or a slow cooker! It’s all about those tender chicken thighs soaking in a delicious gravy that’s perfect for all you comfort food lovers out there!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

Southern Oxtail Recipe

A white bowl filled with white rice topped with several pieces of meat coated in thick brown gravy. The bowl is placed on a dark blue cloth. — Image Credit: Cooks With Soul

Southern oxtail is a nostalgic soul food classic, reminiscent of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house. It features tender, fall-off-the-bone oxtails in savory gravy with bell pepper and onion, served over fluffy white rice.

Get The Recipe: Southern Oxtail Recipe