Southern Comfort Classics You Need Right Now

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Chaos never tasted so good! Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings vault over Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese, while Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks elbow for space between a slab of Sweet Southern Cornbread Recipe and the sunrise glory of Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs. Round it out with fork-tender French Onion Salisbury Steak, and you’ve got a Southern comfort lineup that refuses to stay in its lane—just the way we like it.

Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Eggs

Golden brown cheese biscuits topped with chopped green onions in a red patterned baking dish.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Cheddar Bay Breakfast Casserole with Sausage & Eggs delivers a gooey, cheesy wake-up call—sausage lovers, your morning masterpiece awaits!

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

Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Two crispy fried chicken drumsticks on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, garnished with dill. A fork is placed beside the dish. The chicken is golden brown and the potatoes have a smooth texture.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These oven-fried chicken drumsticks are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make! A simple buttermilk brine and seasoned coating ensure a delicious, golden-brown finish without the need for a deep fryer. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Sweet Southern Cornbread Recipe

The image features slices of golden cornbread placed on parchment paper, with honey drizzled on top and sage leaves used as a garnish.
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This recipe delivers golden, fluffy, and perfectly sweet cornbread with a crispy crust and moist, tender crumb. This Southern classic is easy to make and perfect with butter, honey, or alongside your favorite comfort foods. You can’t go wrong with this family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Southern Cornbread Recipe

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes is topped with melted butter and chopped chives, with a spoon inside. A checkered cloth is draped over the wooden surface.
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These Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes are the perfect side dish to elevate any meal. The rich, nutty flavor from the browned butter combined with creamy buttermilk transforms ordinary mashed potatoes into a gourmet experience. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for holiday gatherings or a special weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict

A waffle topped with a piece of fried chicken and a runny poached egg on a white plate. There's a sprinkle of herbs and pepper on the egg, with a fork resting on the plate. A drink is partially visible in the background.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict recipe takes comfort food to the next level! Crispy buttermilk fried chicken, golden cornmeal waffles, and spicy honey make a sweet and savory combination that’s perfect for brunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Carolina-style Chicken and Waffles Eggs Benedict

Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

A pile of crispy fried onion rings rests on parchment paper, accompanied by a small bowl of red dipping sauce in the background.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings are the ultimate comfort food. Vidalia sweet onions are dipped in tangy buttermilk, dredged in seasoned flour, and fried to golden perfection. Serve these crispy rings as an appetizer or a side dish for your next burger night.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Southern Buttermilk Onion Rings

The Original Monte Cristo Sandwich

A plate of sandwiches dusted with powdered sugar, accompanied by grapes and a carrot stick, served with a side of jam.
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Bring the magic of Disney home with this Monte Cristo sandwich recipe! Layers of ham, turkey, and melted cheese are sandwiched between slices of white bread, battered, and fried until golden. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of red raspberry jam for dipping.
Get the Recipe: The Original Monte Cristo Sandwich

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

A white bowl filled with a baked dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with sliced spring onions. A spoon is scooping out a portion, revealing a creamy texture underneath.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food and an ideal side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy meal. This easy-to-make casserole combines creamy mashed potatoes with the rich flavor of cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh herbs, creating a dish that’s both kid-friendly and a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for an 8×8 or 9×9-inch casserole dish, it’s a simple yet satisfying addition to your holiday spread or a comforting weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

French Onion Salisbury Steak

A plate of meatloaf with gravy, served with mashed potatoes and corn on the side, garnished with parsley. The plate is set on an orange-patterned napkin.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

This French Onion Salisbury Steak recipe elevates a classic comfort food dish with gourmet flavors. Ground beef patties are smothered in a rich, savory French onion sauce made with red wine and beef broth, then topped with melted Swiss cheese and served over toasted French bread. It’s a comforting and refined meal perfect for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Salisbury Steak

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

A plate with cottage pie casserole and a side of mixed greens on a white surface, accompanied by an orange-patterned cloth in the background.
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This traditional Irish cottage pie is the perfect comforting casserole. Made with ground beef, savory vegetables, and a rich gravy, it’s topped with a creamy potato and sweet potato mash. For an extra layer of flavor, try adding some caramelized onion cheese!
Get the Recipe: Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Easy French Dip Sandwiches with Picante Provolone

A close up of a basket of fries and a hot dog
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Sink your teeth into this comforting Easy French Dip Sandwich, piled high with fall-apart tender beef and picante provolone. Dunked in a creamy au jus, this over-stuffed sandwich will become a new favorite. Perfect for using leftover pot roast or deli-cut roast beef!
Get the Recipe: Easy French Dip Sandwiches with Picante Provolone

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Homemade Creamy Mac And Cheese
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This homemade mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Prepared on the stove and baked for a cheesy finish, this creamy dish is perfect as a main course or side dish for any holiday or gathering. Top it with breadcrumbs for the perfect finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Creamy Polenta with Eggs & Mediterranean Greens

close up of a breakfast polenta bowl
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This Creamy Polenta with Eggs & Mediterranean Greens recipe is a comforting and delicious breakfast for two. The creamy polenta is perfectly complemented by the sunny eggs and fresh Mediterranean greens. This dish is sure to brighten up your morning!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Polenta with Eggs & Mediterranean Greens

Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls in a decorative bowl, surrounded by a textured red candle and autumn decor, with a fork on the side.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

These Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are the ultimate comfort food and are perfect for feeding a crowd during the holidays. While they may be a labor of love, the end result is well worth the effort! This recipe uses simple ingredients like ground beef, rice, cabbage, and tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Holubtsi or Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

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

This Crispy Chicken recipe delivers a comforting, flavorful meal with ease. Enjoy perfectly crisp chicken served alongside herbed Carolina Gold rice and a rich, homemade pan gravy that will leave you wanting more. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken with Herbed Carolina Gold Rice & Scratch Pan Gravy

Bangers & Mash with Guinness Gravy

The image shows a plate featuring sausages with caramelized onions in gravy, served over mashed potatoes. The dish is garnished with fresh thyme.
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This Bangers & Mash recipe elevates classic pub fare with a rich Guinness gravy. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you’re craving a hearty, comforting meal. The combination of savory pork sausages, creamy mashed potatoes, and flavorful gravy is simply irresistible!
Get the Recipe: Bangers & Mash with Guinness Gravy

A Smoky Oven-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe

A pulled pork sandwich with melted cheese on a toasted bun, sitting on brown parchment paper.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Forget the smoker—your Dutch oven already graduated summa cum laude in melt-apart pork. One easy braise later and you’ve got juicy, pile-high Oven-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwiches that outshine any barbecue, rain or shine.

Get the Recipe: A Smoky Oven-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe

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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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