Everyone Had Opinions Until I Served 33 Southern Recipes

Everyone at the table thought they knew best, until 33 Southern recipes showed up and ended the debate. It’s hard to argue when plates get cleared faster than anyone expected. Friends who usually had strong opinions suddenly had none, except for asking when the next meal would happen.

Three slices of glazed meatloaf are arranged on a plate next to a bowl of brown sauce. — Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Dinner gets easy when I pull out Slow Cooker Pot Roast since it basically handles itself and gives everyone something to look forward to. Plates always come back empty on pot roast night. The leftovers get better by the day. This one usually stops all arguments at the table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Grilled Pineapple

A burst of sweetness with Grilled Pineapple cuts through all the rich dishes and surprises anyone who thinks they’ve tried it all. Seconds disappear fast even after a heavy meal. It slides in as a dessert or a side. Pineapple keeps people asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple

Homemade Bread Pudding

A close-up of decadent bread pudding, topped with creamy vanilla sauce, is being lifted from a serving plate. — Homemade Bread Pudding. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Dessert wins points at our place with Homemade Bread Pudding, especially after a big Southern meal. It’s comforting and makes for a perfect next-day breakfast. Guests ask for repeats every time. Bread pudding keeps coming back on my family’s request list.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Bread Pudding

Cabbage Casserole

A close-up of a baked casserole dish filled with creamy cabbage gratin, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with a serving spoon partially visible. — Cabbage Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Plates fill up fast when I set out a pan of Cabbage Casserole and it always surprises picky eaters. It stores well and works for leftovers later. Even folks who “don’t eat cabbage” change their minds. This recipe helped me win over some of the loudest critics.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

Pecan Pie Cobbler

Southern dessert always kicks up a notch with Pecan Pie Cobbler, and no one tries just one bite. The gooey middle keeps everyone coming back. Serve it warm and see how quiet the kitchen gets. Leftovers don’t last long in our house with this cobbler.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Cobbler

French Onion Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust and garnished with fresh herbs. — French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Friends still talk about the first time I made French Onion Casserole and how good it smelled baking. It’s filling enough for a main or goes along with anything. The leftovers never last beyond lunch the next day. This one wins over everyone, every time.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Close-up of fluffy cheddar biscuits topped with herbs on a metal tray, with leafy greens in the background. — Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

You’d be surprised how fast a basket of Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits empties when people pass them around. Even picky eaters ask for extra. They work for breakfast, dinner, or snacking. I keep dough ready in the fridge just for these moments.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Perfect Spatchcock Turkey

Close-up of sliced roasted chicken with crispy skin, garnished with herbs. — Perfect Spatchcock Turkey. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Holiday or not, I get the most compliments on my cooking when I serve Perfect Spatchcock Turkey for the family. The pieces cook evenly, so nobody argues over dry spots. It makes sandwiches and leftovers for days. Spatchcock turkey turned skeptics into fans real quick.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Spatchcock Turkey

Shrimp and Grits

A bowl of creamy grits topped with shrimp in a tomato-based sauce and garnished with fresh parsley. — Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Guests who say they “don’t like grits” end up asking for seconds when I bring out my Shrimp and Grits plate. It’s turned out to be a reliable showstopper with friends. People often go back for more, and leftovers heat up well. No need to fuss over presentation, just pass the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Wild Rice Casserole

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese. — Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Easy dinners stand out more when I make a pan of Wild Rice Casserole as a main or a hearty side. It’s simple, but it never gets old. This dish has earned a permanent spot on my rotation. Guests like trying it with leftovers for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

A baked potato topped with shredded barbecue chicken, sour cream, and chopped herbs on a white plate. — BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Main courses get more exciting with BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes because it’s a complete meal on a plate. People dig in without waiting for sides. The combo works for lunch or dinner. Potatoes are requested every time folks visit now.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes

Macaroni Salad

Potlucks haven’t been the same since I started making Macaroni Salad that everyone asks about. It holds up for days and fits any meal. Picky eaters still go for seconds. We can never agree on the other side, but the bowl of Salad is always wiped clean.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled meat ribs garnished with chopped herbs and garlic, served on a white platter with fresh parsley in the background. — Grilled Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Every cookout gets better with a stack of Grilled Chicken Thighs that go fast before you even finish the rest of dinner. They reheat great for lunch the next day. Kids love them as much as adults. Chicken land on my menu at least once a week now.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs

Blueberry Muffins

A close-up of a blueberry muffin with a bite taken out, showing the moist interior and whole blueberries; other muffins and loose blueberries are in the background. — Blueberry Muffins. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Breakfast gets no arguments from anyone when I bake a batch of Blueberry Muffins to keep on the counter. Muffins disappear by noon. They double as dessert and lunchbox treats. This recipe always brings back happy memories for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Muffins

Potato Salad

Side dishes make or break the meal, and getting people on board is simple with Potato Salad on the table. Everyone has a preference but this one gets the most praise. It chills well for days if you have any left. Even the most vocal critics agree on this salad.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad

Cinnamon Pie

Sweet cravings hit just right with Cinnamon Pie after a homey Southern dinner. Guests often want an extra slice to take home. This pie holds up well for days and makes breakfast extra special. Pie always gets a big reaction at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Pie

Whole Baked BBQ Chicken

Roasted chicken with a crispy, golden-brown skin on a white plate, served with a side of greens in a black bowl. — Whole Baked BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Dinners get easier and everyone is happy filling their plate once I serve up Whole Baked BBQ Chicken. You can’t beat how easy it is to pull apart. The leftovers work for sandwiches and meal prep. Chicken hasn’t let me down when feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Whole Baked BBQ Chicken

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

A person scooping a sweet potato casserole out of a baking dish. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dessert finds a sweet spot on the main table with Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, so kids and adults both get into it. People expect seconds every time I make it. The leftovers turn into breakfast the next morning. This casserole always brings people back for just one more scoop.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Crunchy and fresh, Red Cabbage Coleslaw gives regular coleslaw a run for its money at my table. It sits well for hours without getting soggy. Everyone finds an excuse to pile it on their plate. Slaw never lasts all afternoon with a big group.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Crack Chicken Dip

Cracker with creamy dip featuring bacon bits and green onions being lifted from a dish. — Crack Chicken Dip. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Snack tables fill up fast once Crack Chicken Dip goes out and you barely get a chance to taste it yourself. Chips, crackers, whatever—this gets scooped up. The bowl is always scrubbed clean. Game nights are better with crack chicken dip as part of the spread.
Get the Recipe: Crack Chicken Dip

Mashed Potatoes

Comfort food is more about good memories and Mashed Potatoes always calm opinions at any dinner. Picky eaters pile on extra helpings. They reheat fine for lunch the next day. This let everyone feel at home and fed.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Egg Casserole

Breakfast or dinner, plates stay full with Egg Casserole and everyone actually looks forward to it. It packs up well for lunch or snacks. People ask for the recipe on most visits. Casserole almost always gets polished off by the end of the day.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole

Banana Bread

Quick breads like Banana Bread stay in my kitchen all week, mostly because leftovers never last that long. People grab slices for breakfast or snack time. It works for dessert in a pinch. Bread gets requested anytime I say I have some bananas on hand.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Dinner Rolls

No table ever feels complete without a pile of Dinner Rolls ready for grabs during dinner. Warm rolls invite folks to linger over the meal. You can fill them or eat them as is. We double the recipe at holidays just because everyone eats more than expected.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls

Loaded Potato Skins

Snacks hold their own with a tray of Loaded Potato Skins before the meal even starts. These never make it past halftime if there’s a game on. They’re every bit as good the next day. These are at the top of my list for easy starters, every time.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Skins

Pineapple Casserole

Sweet and savory mix just right with Pineapple Casserole, keeping everyone talking even after dinner ends. People are always surprised by how well it pairs with savory dishes. It fits perfectly with big meals or as a dessert. This dish wins over skeptics with one bite.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

Grilled Hot Dogs

Four hot dogs in buns topped with crispy fried onions are arranged on parchment paper in a basket. — Grilled Hot Dogs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Fast dinners go faster when I slap Grilled Hot Dogs on the grill and let everyone build their own. No leftovers hang around. It doesn’t matter who shows up; these always please. It still my secret weapon when I have a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Dogs

Grape Salad

Mixing up side dishes keeps things fun, and Grape Salad surprises people with how much of a hit it becomes. The first bowl always goes quickly. It doubles as a dessert or side. Salad is all I hear about once folks have tried it.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Appetizer or main, pans of Ham and Cheese Sliders just disappear and people want the recipe after the first round. These can handle being reheated if you have any extras. They work at every meal. Sliders are easy favorites for every occasion.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Getting everyone to eat their veggies isn’t a problem when I bring out Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole for dinner. Even kids fight for the last serving. It packs well for lunch the next day. Cauliflower gets a lot more love now because of this dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Air Fryer Chicken Fritters

Stack of golden-brown fritters topped with a red sauce, showing crispy edges and bits of herbs. — Air Fryer Chicken Fritters. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Kids come racing to the table for a tray of Air Fryer Chicken Fritters and adults scoop up seconds too. Cleanup is no-fuss with air frying. They keep well for next-day snacks. We often end up making another batch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fritters

Copycat Honey Baked Ham

Close-up of seasoned and roasted meat with crispy edges. — Copycat Honey Baked Ham. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Holidays get easier and more delicious since I started making Copycat Honey Baked Ham at home. Leftovers work for breakfast sandwiches, lunch, or dinner. People love the familiar sweet, savory combo. I never have leftovers past the weekend either.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Honey Baked Ham

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe

Dinner gets a bit more down-home with Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe on the table. Slices stay moist and pack well for sandwiches. Guests always notice how comforting it is. Meatloaf never had bigger fans than my family with this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe