19 Southern Recipes I Only Pull Out When Family’s Coming Over

When the house is full and family is gathered around, the table just feels more special with food that brings everyone together. That’s why I’ve got a handful of southern recipes I only pull out when family’s coming over, the kind that instantly feel like home. These dishes aren’t just about flavor, they’re about tradition, comfort, and making sure every plate is filled with love. Trust me, these are the kind of recipes that always spark seconds (and sometimes thirds).

Sunday Supper Honey Biscuits

A plate of honey butter biscuits. — Sunday Supper Honey Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These light, flaky biscuits brushed with honey butter are the kind of treat I only bake when family is gathered around the table.
Get the Recipe: Sunday Supper Honey Biscuits

Family Table Sweet Potato Cornbread

Cornbread baked in an iron skillet. — Family Table Sweet Potato Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

This moist, slightly sweet cornbread with creamy sweet potatoes is a must-have whenever the family crowd comes over for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Family Table Sweet Potato Cornbread

Grandma’s Sunday Candied Yams

Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet. — Grandma’s Sunday Candied Yams. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet, buttery, and caramelized just right—these 3-ingredient candied yams always remind me of family dinners growing up.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Sunday Candied Yams

Sunday Dinner Chicken and Dumplings

A bowl of hearty chicken and dumplings soup is shown. The bowl contains shredded chicken, vegetables like carrots, and two large, fluffy dumplings. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley and fresh ground black pepper, and a spoon rests on the side. — Sunday Dinner Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A big bowl of tender chicken, rich broth, and fluffy dumplings is the definition of comfort when the whole family gathers around.
Get the Recipe: Sunday Dinner Chicken and Dumplings

Company-Worthy Sausage and Grits Casserole

Grits casserole with a serving spoon. — Company-Worthy Sausage and Grits Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This cheesy, savory sausage and grits casserole is the kind of dish that makes brunch with family extra special.
Get the Recipe: Company-Worthy Sausage and Grits Casserole

Sunday Fried Chicken with Gravy

A plate of chicken fried steak topped with creamy white gravy, served beside mashed potatoes, garnished with cracked black pepper and chopped herbs—a classic from southern recipes. A fork and knife rest on the plate. — Sunday Fried Chicken with Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Nothing says “the family’s here” like crispy, golden fried chicken smothered in homemade gravy straight from the skillet.
Get the Recipe: Sunday Fried Chicken with Gravy

Family-Favorite Shrimp and Grits

A platter of shrimp and grits with two glasses of wine. — Family-Favorite Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, cheesy grits topped with shrimp and sausage in a flavorful sauce—a family crowd-pleaser every single time.
Get the Recipe: Family-Favorite Shrimp and Grits

Holiday Sweet Potato Pie

A classic thanksgiving pie with a golden crust, topped with eight dollops of whipped cream, sits on a black tray. Two slices have been cut and slightly separated from the rest, with two forks placed nearby. — Holiday Sweet Potato Pie. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Silky smooth and full of warm spice, this sweet potato pie is the kind of dessert the family insists must be on the table every holiday.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Sweet Potato Pie

Front Porch Hush Puppies

A white enamel tray filled with golden brown, quick dippable appetizers—hush puppies—sits on a wooden table, with glasses of iced tea and a red-checkered napkin in the background. — Front Porch Hush Puppies. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

Hot, crispy, and golden, these hush puppies are exactly what I fry up when family and friends gather on the porch for supper.
Get the Recipe: Front Porch Hush Puppies

Sunday Cincinnati Chili

A close-up of a hearty chili recipe served over pasta, topped with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped red onions, sliced jalapeños, and fresh parsley. — Sunday Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, spiced chili piled over pasta with everyone’s favorite toppings—it’s the kind of dish I save for family-filled Sundays.
Get the Recipe: Sunday Cincinnati Chili

Family Gathering Macaroni Salad

Creamy, chilled, and full of cheddar cheese—this macaroni salad is the side dish I always pull out when the family is on their way over.
Get the Recipe: Family Gathering Macaroni Salad

Special Occasion Lobster Corn Fritters

Golden corn fritters filled with lobster are my go-to when I want something that feels special and family-worthy at the table.
Get the Recipe: Special Occasion Lobster Corn Fritters

Sunday Supper Spoon Bread

A serving spoon full of spoon bread. — Sunday Supper Spoon Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Custardy, buttery, and golden brown—this spoon bread is the kind of Southern comfort dish I save for when everyone’s coming over.
Get the Recipe: Sunday Supper Spoon Bread

Family Night Poppy Seed Chicken

A plate of rice covered with poppy seed chicken. — Family Night Poppy Seed Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, savory chicken casserole with a crunchy poppy seed cracker topping—the dish I bring out when family comes hungry.
Get the Recipe: Family Night Poppy Seed Chicken

Front Porch Cheese Straws

A basket of cheese straws next to glassesof wine. — Front Porch Cheese Straws. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery, cheesy, and with just the right kick—these cheese straws are what I bake when family and friends gather on the porch.
Get the Recipe: Front Porch Cheese Straws

Sunday Best Fried Chicken

A bowl lined with parchment paper holds several pieces of crispy, golden-brown fried chicken, reminiscent of old school southern recipes, placed on a white surface near a red and gold napkin. — Sunday Best Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Crispy, juicy, and golden brown—this fried chicken is the dish my family always expects when I say “come hungry.”
Get the Recipe: Sunday Best Fried Chicken

Old-Fashioned Family Mac and Cheese

A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl. — Old-Fashioned Family Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy inside, golden and crusty on top—this baked mac and cheese is the comfort food I only bake when family’s filling the table.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Family Mac and Cheese

Family Table Corn Pudding

A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion. — Family Table Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Smooth, creamy, and lightly sweet—this corn pudding is one of those sides I always save for a family table feast.
Get the Recipe: Family Table Corn Pudding

Skillet Hot Water Cornbread

A rack of hot water cornbread with butter and honey. — Skillet Hot Water Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy outside, tender inside—this hot water cornbread is the kind of simple Southern classic I always fry when family’s visiting.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Hot Water Cornbread

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows