I Tried 33 Southern Recipes and Ended Up Calling My Mom

After working through 33 Southern recipes, the kind of comfort they delivered had people thinking about family traditions. Every dish carried a sense of warmth that felt too familiar to ignore. The flavors had that pull where calling mom seemed like the next step. It was more than food, it was a reminder of home.

Close-up of a serving of cheesy baked spaghetti with meat sauce, topped with fresh parsley, being lifted from a dish. — Million Dollar Spaghetti. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Amish Breakfast Casserole

A close-up of a serving of savory bread pudding with bacon and herbs being lifted from a white baking dish. — Amish Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Mornings get easier with something warm from the oven. Amish Breakfast Casserole is always a hit because of its simple layers and filling bites. It keeps everyone full until lunch, making it a favorite for weekend meals. This dish reminds people of family breakfasts with plenty to share.
Get the Recipe: Amish Breakfast Casserole

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw

Three pulled pork sliders with coleslaw on a white plate, topped with a sprig of parsley. — BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Small sandwiches often mean big flavor with little fuss. BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw stand out for their easy serving at casual gatherings. Guests reach for these at game nights and parties, sometimes just for the crunch of slaw. They disappear fast when folks gather around.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw

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.

Humble vegetables transform into comfort food when you know the right tricks. Cabbage Casserole transforms an everyday vegetable into something that evokes memories of Sunday dinners. Southern cooks have been making believers out of skeptics with this one for decades.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

Queso Dip

Close-up of creamy cheese dip being poured over chopped tomato salsa with diced onions and cilantro. — Queso Dip. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Party spreads always need that one dish everyone gathers around. Queso Dip brings people together faster than any other appetizer on the table. This creamy creation has crossed state lines and become a Southern staple everywhere. Once you master this recipe, expect calls asking you to bring it to every gathering.
Get the Recipe: Queso Dip

Grilled Pineapple

A hot grill reminds most folks of porch talks and easy desserts. Grilled Pineapple brings out sweetness in a way that makes you rethink simple fruits. This recipe is often the start of chats about southern treats and what makes them memorable. Reaching out to mom for her side of the story adds some fun history to the table.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pineapple

Zucchini Boats

Weeknight suppers feel special when you have something packed and flavorful. Zucchini Boats offer up a mix of textures that make the vegetable the star of the plate. Choosing this dish sparks memories of garden fresh meals from southern kitchens. Calling home for tips is nearly a part of the recipe itself.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Boats

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.

No one forgets those special casseroles that bring everyone together. French Onion Casserole always stands out for its rich layers and comforting aroma. It has a way of making you talk about southern traditions and family gatherings. Double-checking with mom for her favorite way to prepare it brings the recipe full circle.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

A close-up of a sourdough cinnamon roll topped with creamy icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon on a plate. — Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Weekend mornings often lead to a craving for something sweet and comforting. Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls turn simple dough into a breakfast treat with a bit of southern warmth. Sharing this recipe usually gets people asking about family baking secrets. It’s one of those foods you just have to call home about to get all the tips.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Cattle Drive Casserole

A slice of cheesy lasagna being lifted from a baking dish, topped with melted cheese and parsley. — Cattle Drive Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Large family get-togethers need meals that everyone can dig into. Cattle Drive Casserole is a hearty option that brings conversation back to southern comfort food. Every bite reminds folks of passed down recipes and shared traditions. A quick call to mom usually helps lock down what makes this dish so memorable.
Get the Recipe: Cattle Drive Casserole

Twice Baked Potatoes

Potluck dinners get a boost from dishes with multiple layers and texture. Twice Baked Potatoes mix smooth and crisp to deliver something folks remember. This recipe often sparks questions about which method brings out the best taste. It’s the exact kind of food that prompts people to call their mom for the family version.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes

White Chicken Chili

Cool evenings call for bowls filled with warmth and a touch of spice. White Chicken Chili brings a southern spin to classic comfort food. It’s the kind of recipe that shows up at potlucks and church suppers in the South. Getting mom’s version often leads to a few laughs and stories along with cooking tips.
Get the Recipe: White Chicken Chili

Potato Salad

Family picnics feel complete with a bowl of something cool and comforting. Potato Salad is always present, making it hard not to think about home. Sharing this dish connects you to southern gatherings and the simple food everyone enjoys. Checking with mom for exact tricks feels like a rite of passage.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad

Hamburger Casserole

Busy schedules make simple casseroles even more appealing at dinner. Hamburger Casserole wraps up all those southern flavors into one easy dish. Finding the right way to make it always seems to require a call home for advice. It quickly becomes everyone’s go-to meal after sharing at family events.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole

Egg Salad

Light lunches sometimes need a classic dish that works every time. Egg Salad fits nicely into Southern menus and is often the centerpiece at gatherings. Bringing this recipe to the table means asking family about different variations and stories. Catching up with mom about her secret always makes for a fun call.
Get the Recipe: Egg Salad

Southern Cornbread

Close-up of two stacked pieces of cornbread with melted butter on top, showcasing a golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly texture. — Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Homemade breads bring comfort to meals, filling homes with familiar scents. Southern Cornbread shows up at nearly every southern table, pairing with both chili or beans. Sharing recipes gets people trading family tricks and traditions. Calling mom makes sure every batch keeps that authentic taste.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread

Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

A plate with honey chicken tenders, broccoli florets, and mashed potatoes. — Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Quick snacks with a southern twist never go out of style at get-togethers. Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders are crispy and just right for dipping, sparking conversation about homemade recipes. Sharing them means swapping stories about all the southern ways to prepare chicken.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background. — Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Crowd-pleasing casseroles often include unexpected vegetables that work well together. Eggplant Casserole brings southern traditions to the table with its classic approach. It stirs up memories of family kitchens and Sunday meals. Calling home for tips makes the process feel like part of the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Grape Salad

Mixing sweet with smooth textures can turn a simple bowl into a real crowd pleaser. Grape Salad is one of those southern favorites everyone asks about at reunions. This dish sparks sharing and swaps between different family recipes. Getting your mom’s version can make it an ongoing tradition every time.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

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.

Sitting down for a big meal often leads to generous servings that everyone enjoys. Whole Baked BBQ Chicken always draws attention at family tables for its smoky, southern flavors. It’s the kind of recipe that gets talked about after the last plate is cleared. Getting your mom’s advice might shape the dish into a regular favorite.
Get the Recipe: Whole Baked BBQ Chicken

Strawberry Dump Cake

A close-up of a fruit crumble dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. — Strawberry Dump Cake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Desserts end meals on a sweet note, bringing back old family recipes. Strawberry Dump Cake always starts a conversation about southern baking traditions. This cake is a quick fix, but still feels special when shared with loved ones. Calling your mom gives you the best tips for making it extra memorable.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Dump Cake

Baked Zucchini

Roasted zucchini halves garnished with chopped parsley on a white plate. — Baked Zucchini. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Really fresh vegetables seem to shine even more when cooked simply. Baked Zucchini brings out unique flavors that fit any table, especially southern ones. This recipe gets people talking about garden traditions and homegrown meals. Mom’s advice can make every batch just right for the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Baked Zucchini

Apple Pie

Few desserts get requested as often as a classic fruit pie with a flaky crust. Apple Pie is a Southern staple, showing up at dinners and celebrations year after year. Making this dish sometimes sparks calls home to talk about pie secrets and old family tricks. Serving it welcomes a bit of southern heritage to every table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

A close-up of Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies, held together with toothpicks and cooked to a crispy finish. — Bacon Wrapped Smokies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Finger foods get everyone excited at parties and holiday gatherings. Bacon Wrapped Smokies have a way of disappearing fast once they hit the table. This snack starts talks about southern appetizers and how to tweak them just right. Calling mom for pointers helps make sure they’re a crowd favorite every time.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Dinner Rolls

Family meals seem more welcoming when a basket of warm bread is passed around. Dinner Rolls are a steady favorite that fit right in among southern dishes. They often lead to chats about baking traditions and who makes them best. Getting mom’s advice can make them the centerpiece of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls

Potato Casserole

Sharing comfort food at group meals brings everyone together. Potato Casserole delivers a taste that fits right into any southern gathering. The dish reminds people of traditional favorites and swapping tips with family. Double-checking with mom adds something special to each batch.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Close-up of a slice of fruit pie with a golden, flaky crust. The filling is a mix of pink and red fruit, slightly oozing out onto the plate. — Strawberry Rhubarb Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

After-dinner moments feel more complete when a homemade pie is served. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie balances sweet and tart in every slice, just like southern desserts are known for. Talking about this recipe always leads to stories about family favorites. Getting mom’s version can bring some new tricks to your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Easy Chicken Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs. — Easy Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Weeknights are less stressful with simple recipes you can count on. Easy Chicken Casserole pulls together southern comfort with no fuss. Dishing this up makes you think about all the tricks family uses to add a personal touch. Swapping ideas with mom often reveals just the trick you needed.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Casserole

Banana Bread

Snacks and breakfasts get upgraded with a slice fresh from the oven. Banana Bread comes up fast in conversations about favorite Southern treats. Baking this always leads to exchange of tips between friends and family. Calling mom can turn each loaf into something special every time.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Yellow Squash Casserole

Squash casserole being served with a wooden serving spoon. — Yellow Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Veggie-based casseroles turn out to be crowd pleasers at home gatherings. Yellow Squash Casserole mixes southern flavors in a way that stands out among others. This recipe often gets passed down, prompting calls to family for their twist. Getting mom’s advice usually brings the best results.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Squash Casserole

Deviled Eggs

Buffet tables almost never go without a tray of stuffed eggs. Deviled Eggs are classic in southern culture, showing up at every big meal. This dish starts conversations about tradition and simple recipes that stick with you. Checking with mom adds that little touch everyone remembers.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs

Southern Mash

Mashed potatoes on a white plate. — Southern Mash. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Comfort food finds its base in creamy side dishes for family dinner. Southern Mash brings everyone together around the table, especially with its smooth texture. Sharing this dish leads to talks about what makes Southern meals special. Getting a few pointers from mom makes each batch a bit better.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Barbecues pair well with crisp, colorful sides that bring balance. Red Cabbage Coleslaw often appears when Southern cooking comes to mind. This side dish opens up talk about old recipes and creative mixes. Swapping hints with mom adds a new twist each time you make it.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Million Dollar Spaghetti

Hearty dinners gain energy from dishes packed with flavor and layers. Million Dollar Spaghetti quickly becomes a favorite at southern tables. Friends and family love sharing their tweaks for making it just right. Calling mom for her take makes it feel even more comforting and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti