19 Southern Inspired Comfort Food Favorites You’ll Crave

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Southern-inspired comfort food has a way of slowing life down just enough to savor the good stuff — flaky biscuits, creamy casseroles, and that sweet, buttery kind of warmth only the South can deliver. This collection of 19 Southern inspired comfort food recipes brings all those cozy, soul-soothing flavors right to your kitchen. Think classic chili con carne, make-ahead mashed potatoes, and creamy baked mac and cheese that practically melts in your mouth. You’ll also find old-school favorites like lemon pound cake, pumpkin pie with graham cracker crust, and homemade buttermilk biscuits that taste like they’ve been passed down for generations. Whether you’re cooking Sunday supper or craving a little nostalgic flavor midweek, these recipes deliver Southern charm in every bite.

Classic Chili Con Carne

Chili con carne in a bowl with rice — Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Classic Chili Con Carne recipe is perfect for a comforting family meal or a casual get-together with friends. It’s packed with flavor from spices like cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Top it with your favorite garnishes for a complete and satisfying dish!
Get the Recipe: Classic Chili Con Carne

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

This homemade lemonade recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. With only a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of this refreshing drink in no time. It’s perfect for a hot day, a party, or any time you need a little sunshine in your glass!
Get the Recipe: Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

This Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust is a Thanksgiving dessert that’s both easy and delicious! The graham cracker crust adds a unique twist to the traditional pumpkin pie, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite. Get ready to impress your guests with this super simple recipe.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Honey Glazed Ham

This Honey Glazed Ham recipe is perfect for any holiday or gathering! The sweet honey, tangy mustard, and savory spices create a flavor explosion that everyone will love. It’s an easy recipe that will become a family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Ham

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

These Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes are creamy, buttery, and the perfect side dish to alleviate stress during holiday meals. You can prepare them in advance and simply reheat when you’re ready to serve. This recipe is a game-changer for busy cooks!
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

One Pot Sausage and Rice

This One Pot Sausage and Rice recipe is a flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights! It features andouille sausage, colorful bell peppers, and aromatic spices, all cooked together in one pot with rice and chicken stock. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions for a complete and satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice

Easy Crab Cakes

Three Crab Cakes on a plate with lemon wedges and a fork next to it. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe lets you whip up incredible crab cakes with fresh, flavorful ingredients at home. It’s surprisingly easy – just mix it up, pan-fry it, and enjoy a customizable, restaurant-worthy meal that’ll leave you happy and satisfied.

Get The Recipe: Easy Crab Cakes

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Dinnertime hero alert! This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Moist, tender, and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect centerpiece for any occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – dress it up with your favorite glazes or sauces, or keep it classic for a timeless taste.

Get The Recipe: Traditional Meatloaf

Lemon Pound Cake

This lemon pound cake sings with citrus! Infused with both lemon juice and zest, it’s incredibly moist and buttery, with a burst of sunshine in every bite. The finishing touch? A delightful lemon glaze that ties it all together.

Get The Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake

Leftover Turkey Casserole

Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a comforting and delicious meal with this Leftover Turkey Casserole. This recipe combines tender turkey, pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce, topped with a crispy panko breadcrumb crust. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Casserole

Chicken And Waffle Sliders Recipe

If you love fluffy waffles, crispy fried chicken, sweet maple syrup,, and savory bacon, you’ll love this easy recipe for Chicken and Waffle Sliders. These homemade sliders are the definition of mouthwatering.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Waffle Sliders Recipe

Sweet Peach Iced Tea

Infused with the flavor of fresh peaches, this iced tea is a sweet and refreshing beverage that’s ideal for cooling down on a sunny day.

Get The Recipe: Sweet Peach Iced Tea

Dirty Rice Dressing

This zesty Cajun side dish of dirty rice dressing is a must-have for your holiday spread! Whip it up effortlessly and savor its burst of flavors.

Get The Recipe: Dirty Rice Dressing

Southern Corn Pudding

A white baking dish filled with a baked casserole topped with corn, bell peppers, and green onions, garnished with fresh herbs. The dish embodies the essence of Southern recipes, resting on a wooden surface with a yellow napkin in the background. — Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This best Southern corn pudding is a delightful farm-to-table dish crafted with fresh corn sourced locally from nearby farms. It serves as a versatile side dish, perfectly complementing a variety of main courses, ranging from succulent grilled steak to the classic centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner.

Get The Recipe: Southern Corn Pudding

Easy Homemade Cornbread

A piece of Cornbread on a plate topped with butter and drizzled with honey — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the extra step! This recipe uses fine cornmeal, eliminating the need to soak and resulting in a light, moist, and delicious homemade cornbread that’s ready in no time.

Get The Recipe: Easy Homemade Cornbread

Vegan Jambalaya

Let the flavors of Louisiana jazz up your taste buds with this vegan jambalaya! A hearty medley of rice, veggies, and plant-based proteins simmered in a robust, Cajun-spiced tomato broth. It’s a party for your palate, y’all!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Jambalaya

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

A close up of a freshly baked Buttermilk Biscuits in a basket. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Biscuit lovers rejoice! This recipe makes flaky homemade buttermilk biscuits with a golden exterior and a fluffy interior.

Get The Recipe: Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets

A foil packet filled with a shrimp boil, featuring plump shrimp, savory sausage slices, chunks of corn on the cob, and pieces of red potato. The contents are garnished with chopped parsley, bringing a touch of Southern recipes to your meal. — Image Credit: Cooking Classy

Get ready for a mouthwatering experience with these Shrimp Boil Packets! They’re not only super easy and delicious for summer dinners, but they’re also grilled to keep the heat outside. Picture this: tender shrimp, flavorful sausage, sweet corn cobs, and baby potatoes bursting with seasoning, all cooked together for fantastic flavor and easy cleanup. Dive in and enjoy!

Get The Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Boil Packets