Hearty, Homestyle, and Southern

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There’s Southern cooking, and then there’s Southern cooking, where comfort food meets a whole lot of soul. Dive right into favorites like Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs, and savor the crispy perfection of Southern Smothered Chicken with all the fixings. Looking for something a bit more decadent? The Smoked Oxtail is a slow-cooked masterpiece that will make you rethink your weeknight dinners. Or maybe you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, like a flavorful Blackened Salmon that still packs a punch. Whether it’s the creamy nostalgia of School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese (A Lunch Lady Throwback) or the hearty goodness of Jambalaya, these Southern dishes are all you need to fill your plate—and your soul. So, why wait? Click on in, and let’s get this Southern feast started!

Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

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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—Smoky Southern Ham Gravy is here to steal the spotlight. Made with rich, caramelized ham burnt ends, this savory classic was born to be poured over fluffy biscuits and creamy scrambled eggs. Breakfast just got a serious upgrade!
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Ham Gravy with Cheesy Biscuits and Eggs

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 is the ultimate comfort meal. Picture golden, crispy chicken paired with fragrant Carolina Gold rice, all smothered in rich, homemade gravy. It’s like a warm hug on a plate, no nap required!

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

School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese (A Lunch Lady Throwback)

A fork holds a portion of baked macaroni and cheese with golden breadcrumbs. In the background, there is a blurred baking dish containing more macaroni.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Ah, the good old days of school lunch! While today’s kids might enjoy their fancy eats, nothing beats the cheesy, gooey goodness of School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese from the late 70s and early 80s—total nostalgia.

Get the Recipe: School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese

Blackened Salmon

Blackened salmon in a skillet.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Buttery, crispy, and packed with Cajun and Creole flavors, this Blackened Salmon is your ticket to a Southern comfort food fix that’s as bold as it is delicious!
Get the Recipe: Blackened Salmon

Southern Skillet Cornbread

Slice of southern cornbread shown on a plate, it's topped with a swirl of honey butter.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Homemade Southern Skillet Cornbread is the epitome of comfort—rich, buttery, and oh-so-moist with a buttermilk base, all cooked to golden perfection in a sizzling hot cast iron skillet!
Get the Recipe: Southern Skillet Cornbread

Jambalaya

Pan full of homemade jamabalaya with shrimp, sausage, chicken, rice and vegetables.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Jambalaya! A Southern classic packed with tender shrimp, juicy chicken, and savory sausage, all simmered together with hearty rice for a flavorful, one-pot wonder!
Get the Recipe: Jambalaya

Chicken, Crab and Andouille Sausage Gumbo Recipe

Chicken, Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo Recipe | foodiecrush.com
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

Gumbo is a Southern staple that’s surprisingly simple once you master the art of a slow-cooked roux, which gives this dish its rich, signature flavor. Perfect for cozy nights and feeding a crowd!
Get the Recipe: Chicken, Crab and Andouille Sausage Gumbo Recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

Presenting a delicious Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping
Photo credit: Cooks with Soul

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping is the holiday side dish you’ll dream about all year long. With a perfect blend of sweet potatoes and a crunchy, nutty topping, it’s a must-have for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

Southern Smothered Chicken

Southern smothered chicken with rice on a white plate with a fork to the side and a bowl of chopped parsley.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Southern Smothered Chicken is a classic that never goes out of style. Crispy fried chicken drenched in rich, savory brown gravy with onions makes every bite comfort food at its finest!
Get the Recipe: Southern Smothered Chicken

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

A white plate filled with vanilla cupcakes with a vanilla buttercream and sprinkles on a white background
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

These Vanilla Cupcakes are the ultimate treat—light, moist, and bursting with pure vanilla goodness. Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or just because, these cupcakes are always a hit!
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Smoked Oxtail

Presenting a delicious Smoked Oxtail
Photo credit: Cooks with Soul

This Smoked Oxtail recipe brings together the richness of Southern barbecue and soul food, offering melt-in-your-mouth, smoky goodness with every bite. Perfect for those craving a hearty, flavorful meal that’s full of soul!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Oxtail

Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

A speckled bowl containing shrimp in a garlic butter sauce sits on top of creamy mashed potatoes, garnished with chopped parsley. A fork is resting on the side of the bowl.
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Easy Shrimp Scampi and Grits is a match made in heaven! Juicy shrimp bathed in buttery, garlicky goodness, served over creamy grits—what more could you ask for?
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe

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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