Bold Flavors, Big Portions – Southern Comfort at Its Best

Jenny deRemer

Jan 07, 2025

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Craving some Southern comfort? We’ve got everything you need, from Cheese Grits to Southern Fried Fish, and don’t even get us started on that 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze that’s a game-changer! Whether you’re in the mood for Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese or dreaming about the crispy goodness of Southern Fried Chicken (without the buttermilk, yes really), this slideshow has it all. From savory bites like Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy to sweet treats like Peach Cobbler Cookies, these recipes are as authentic as it gets! Get ready to bring some serious Southern flavor to your kitchen with Best Southern Corn Pudding and Homemade Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy. Trust us, your taste buds won’t know what hit ’em.

Table of Contents

Cheese Grits

A bowl of creamy grits topped with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and parsley, served on a white plate with blue floral designs. A spoon rests in the bowl, and fresh parsley garnishes the plate.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Cheese Grits are the Southern classic that’ll have you questioning why you’ve waited so long to try them. With just quick grits, butter, and shredded gouda cheese, this creamy dish is perfect as a breakfast, side, or even a main entrée—because who says comfort food can’t wear multiple hats?
Get the Recipe: Cheese Grits

The 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe That Changes Everything

A close-up of a cooked glazed ham in a baking pan. A brush is being used to apply a golden brown glaze, adding shine to the meat.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This 3-Ingredient Ham Glaze is a sticky-sweet masterpiece that blows those packet mixes right out of the water! With tangy ingredients that bring the perfect balance of flavors, it’s a glaze you’ll make again and again.

Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Ham Glaze

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A close-up of baked pasta with melted cheese and ground meat in a white casserole dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Lately, I’ve been all about casseroles and bakes like this one. They’re perfect for leftovers—just freeze a few portions and boom, easy meals later! This Sour Cream Noodle Casserole is a family classic from my grandmother, and I adore how she added sausage alongside the ground beef for extra flavor.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

A plate of breaded and fried chicken cutlet topped with brown gravy sits on a bed of white rice. The dish is garnished with chopped fresh herbs and accompanied by a sprig of parsley. A striped yellow and white napkin is placed beside the plate on a wooden table.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy combines perfectly crispy chicken with the fragrant rice of the Carolinas, all smothered in homemade gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort meal that’ll make you feel right at home!

Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A baked casserole in a white dish featuring a creamy mixture topped with corn kernels, diced bell peppers, and green onions. The dish rests on a wooden board, and fresh thyme garnishes the top.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average

Baked to a perfect golden brown, this creamy Southern Corn Pudding adds a touch of Southern warmth to any meal. Whether you’re serving it alongside a juicy steak or a comforting baked chicken, it’s the perfect side dish to elevate your dinner!

Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese dish topped with golden brown breadcrumbs. The pasta is well-coated in cheese sauce, with the breadcrumbs adding a crunchy texture, creating a mouthwatering and comforting appearance.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese starts off on the stovetop, but the magic happens in the oven, turning it into the ultimate cheesy comfort food. With a secret ingredient that takes it to the next level, it’s sure to please the crowd—and for a fun twist, try making individual mac and cheese muffins!

Get the Recipe: Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Homemade Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy

A plate of sliced meatloaf garnished with herbs, served with mashed potatoes and creamy mushroom sauce. The meatloaf is seasoned with visible sprigs of rosemary and thyme, presented on a decorative plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Craving a classic Homemade Meatloaf that oozes warmth and nostalgia? This recipe is a keeper, with its tender, flavorful meatloaf topped by a sweet-savory apple butter glaze, and finished with a creamy, indulgent onion gravy that makes store-bought stuff seem like a distant memory.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy

Southern Fried Fish

Close-up of golden-brown, crispy fried chicken pieces on a plate with a blue rim. The chicken is breaded and seasoned, showcasing a crunchy texture.
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Southern Fried Fish is all about crispy catfish fillets seasoned to perfection with fish fry seasoning. Serve it up with some comforting spaghetti, creamy coleslaw, a dash of hot sauce, and a slice of white bread for the ultimate Southern experience. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to take a nap afterward!
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Fish

Peach Cobbler Cookies

A close-up of a peach biscuit topped with a slice of glazed peach and a sprinkle of crumbly topping. The biscuit is drizzled with icing, highlighting its golden-brown, freshly baked appearance.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Peach Cobbler Cookies are the dessert you didn’t know you needed but now can’t live without. Picture all the warm, spiced peach cobbler goodness packed into a buttery cookie, then drizzled with sweet vanilla icing and topped with a crunchy cookie crumble—perfection in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Cookies

Candied Yams

Close-up of candied sweet potato cubes coated in a glossy caramelized sugar glaze, with flecks of orange zest visible on the surface. The sweet potatoes have a rich, amber color, highlighting their glossy, sticky texture.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Candied Yams are the perfect sweet, buttery, and spiced side dish to bring a little Southern comfort to your dinner table. With just the right balance of sweetness and warmth, they’re sure to be a hit at any meal.
Get the Recipe: Candied Yams

Southern Skillet Cornbread

A slice of golden cornbread topped with a swirl of butter and drizzled with honey sits on a gray ceramic plate. The cornbread has a moist texture, and a portion of another plate is visible in the background.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Homemade Southern Skillet Cornbread is the kind of cornbread that dreams are made of—rich, buttery, and perfectly moist with a buttermilk base. Baked to golden perfection in a preheated cast iron skillet, this cornbread is the perfect side for any Southern feast.
Get the Recipe: Southern Skillet Cornbread

Southern Fried Chicken Recipe (Without Buttermilk)

Presenting a delicious Southern Fried Chicken Recipe (Without Buttermilk)
Photo credit: Cook’s with Soul

Southern Fried Chicken is a family secret that doesn’t rely on buttermilk, but still delivers a crispy, golden crust packed with mouthwatering flavor. It’s the kind of fried chicken that makes you want to eat one more piece (and maybe two). Prepare to be hooked!
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Chicken Recipe (Without Buttermilk)

Ratatouille

A colorful baked ratatouille with sliced zucchini, eggplant, yellow squash, and tomatoes, arranged in a circular pattern on a bed of tomato sauce, garnished with herbs.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Ratatouille brings a taste of Southern France with a dash of Southern U.S. history, thanks to its Hugenot roots. This veggie-packed dish celebrates the best of summer produce, from the zesty tomato sauce to the herby dressing, letting each ingredient steal the spotlight in a big way!
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe

A plate of black-eyed peas with rice, featuring chunks of meat and served alongside collard greens and a piece of cornbread. A fork is on the plate, and a bowl of greens and a blue checkered napkin are nearby.
Photo credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Southern-Style Black-Eyed Peas are slow-cooked to perfection with ham, bacon, and onions, turning a simple dish into a flavorful, no-fuss meal. Packed with savory goodness, they’re the kind of comfort food that makes you feel right at home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Turkey Chops

A close-up of a fork resting on a piece of smothered chicken covered in a rich brown gravy with caramelized onions. The dish is served over a bed of white rice, garnished with chopped herbs.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Smothered Turkey Chops bring the Southern heat with perfectly pan-fried turkey chops seasoned with bold creole spices, then drenched in a rich, savory gravy. This dish packs in flavor and comfort, making every bite a true Southern indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chops

Southern Fried Okra

A plate of crispy, golden-brown fried okra pieces coated in cornmeal batter, served on a ceramic dish. Some uncooked okra pods are visible in the background.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Fried Okra is the crispy, golden-brown Southern classic you’ve been craving! Seasoned just right and fried to perfection, this crunchy delight makes the ideal appetizer or side dish that’ll have you going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Okra

Best Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

A slice of chocolate sheet cake with a glossy chocolate frosting sits on a white plate, accompanied by a fork. The background features a blue cloth and scattered pecans.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

Texas Sheet Cake takes this Southern favorite to a whole new level of decadence. With a rich, chocolatey base and a mouthwatering frosting, this recipe includes a handy how-to video to make sure your cake is as big on flavor as it is on size!
Get the Recipe: Best Texas Sheet Cake Recipe (with Video!)

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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