12 Family-Friendly Southern Recipes

Jenny deRemer

Nov 05, 2025

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Discover the essence of comfort with these family-friendly Southern dishes, featuring classics like Southern Chicken Fried Steak with Homemade White Gravy, Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Lemon and Rosemary and Easy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp. From savory Smothered Turkey Wings to Carolina BBQ Grilled Chicken, these recipes bring the warmth of Southern cooking to your home, making mealtime a celebration. Perfect for weeknights or gatherings, these dishes are all about bringing people together over hearty, satisfying flavors.

Table of Contents

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, casseroles and bakes like this have been my go-to. There are usually leftovers, so a second act can easily appear from an airtight container if I freeze portions for later. This was my grandmother’s Sour Cream Noodle Casserole, and I love that she included sausage along with the ground beef. Get the Recipe: Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

The image shows a biscuit sandwich filled with scrambled eggs, topped with creamy gravy and bacon pieces, all arranged on a white plate.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Move over, Jimmy Dean—ham burnt ends are running the show in this smoky Southern Ham Gravy. Breakfast wouldn’t be the same without it, ladled over cheesy biscuits and soft scrambled eggs.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

A serving of golden, flaky chicken and biscuit casserole in a red dish, with herbs sprinkled on top and a spatula ready to serve.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs is a hearty, cheesy dream—if you love sausage and eggs, this one’s calling your name!

To learn more: Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

Close-up of two savory crab cakes garnished with red peppers and green onions, being drizzled with sauce using chopsticks.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Easy Stuffed Crab packs rich, flavorful crab meat into every bite, bringing a taste of South Carolina’s Lowcountry straight to your plate!

To learn more: Stuffed Deviled Crab: A South Carolina Lowcountry Classic

Baked Breaded Lemon Chicken

The image shows baked chicken pieces placed on a bed of spinach. They are topped with slices of lemon and surrounded by halved cherry tomatoes.
Image Credit: Dizzy Busy & Hungry

Baked Breaded Lemon Chicken delivers a crisp, golden crust with a burst of lemon that’s perfect for weeknights. This easy chicken dish is a crowd-pleaser, making it a great choice when you’re after comforting Southern flavors everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Baked Breaded Lemon Chicken

Brunswick Stew

The image shows a pot of chicken stew containing corn, lima beans, and a tomato-based broth. A ladle is shown scooping some of the stew.
Image Credit: Spend with Pennies

Brunswick Stew serves up a bowl of Southern comfort with its hearty blend of meats and veggies. This simple stew makes a cozy, filling meal that’s perfect for any family gathering when you need that touch of Southern warmth.
Get the Recipe: Brunswick Stew

Southern-Style Green Beans

A close-up of a dish featuring fusilli pasta tossed with crispy bacon, mushrooms, and topped with grated Parmesan cheese. The pasta is served in a white bowl, highlighting the textures and colors of the ingredients.

Loaded with bacon, fried onions, and a sprinkle of Parmesan, Southern-Style Green Beans add a flavorful crunch to any meal. This quick, cheesy take on green beans is a fantastic family dish that celebrates Southern flavors.
Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Green Beans

Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Lemon and Rosemary

Sliced pork tenderloin garnished with lemon slices and sprigs of rosemary on a white plate.
Image Credit: Dizzy Busy & Hungry

Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Lemon and Rosemary fills your home with amazing aromas and offers tender, flavorful meat in every bite. With fresh lemon and rosemary bringing a bright touch, it’s a family-friendly option that feels like a warm Southern Sunday meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Lemon and Rosemary

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings

A white plate filled with creamy chicken and dumplings, garnished with chopped chives, sits on a green table. A spoon and white napkin are placed beside the plate.
Image Credit: Jennifer Cooks

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings wraps you in comfort with creamy broth and fluffy dumplings that feel just like home. This beloved dish brings a taste of the South to your table, making it a go-to for cozy family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings

Smothered Turkey Wings

Baked chicken thighs and drumsticks in a creamy garlic sauce, garnished with fresh parsley, are displayed in a white baking dish on a light tablecloth. The dish has a golden, appetizing appearance.
whole milk – 1

Packed with rich, savory gravy, Smothered Turkey Wings are a true Southern classic that brings warmth to the table. Ideal for gatherings or Sunday dinners, these tender wings are a comforting choice that’s bound to be a family hit.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Turkey Wings

Easy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

A plate with cooked shrimp in a lemony sauce, garnished with sliced green onions and herbs, with a fork resting on the side.
Image Credit: Coley Cooks

In just 20 minutes, Easy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp delivers buttery, Creole-spiced goodness that’s hard to resist. This quick, crowd-pleasing shrimp dish captures the vibrant flavors of New Orleans, ideal for any Southern-inspired family feast.
Get the Recipe: Easy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

Carolina BBQ Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts and chopped herbs on a white plate.
Image Credit: Peel with Zeal

Carolina BBQ Grilled Chicken brings that classic Southern tang with a hint of sweetness, perfect for a summer barbecue. Coated with a mustard-based BBQ sauce, this grilled chicken is a top choice for family-friendly Southern-style cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Grilled Chicken

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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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