• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter & Baggage logo
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Biscuits
    • Breakfast
      • Muffins
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Pasta
      • Mac and Cheese
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Chilis
  • Shop
  • My Favorites
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • About
    • Editorial Policies
    • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Why Sunday Meals in the South Were Legendary—And the 21 Recipes Behind Them

    Published: Aug 28, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sundays in the South weren’t just about food—they were about family, tradition, and slowing down after a long week. The table was always full, and everyone knew why Sunday meals South were legendary: they brought people together over dishes made with love and patience. From fried chicken to homemade pies, it was more than eating, it was an experience that lingered long after the plates were cleared. That’s the kind of comfort we all crave now and then.

    Legendary Southern Macaroni and Cheese

    A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl.
    Legendary Southern Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    No Sunday table in the South was complete without bubbling baked mac and cheese—creamy inside, crispy on top, and unforgettable.
    Get the Recipe: Legendary Southern Macaroni and Cheese

    Tex-Mex Sunday Tater Tot Casserole

    A wooden spoon in a skillet of tater tot casserole.
    Tex-Mex Sunday Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

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

    A beloved church potluck staple, this casserole layers taco-seasoned beef with crispy tots—bringing Southern comfort with a Tex-Mex twist.
    Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Sunday Tater Tot Casserole

    Sunday Shrimp and Grits Feast

    A platter of shrimp and grits with two glasses of wine.
    Sunday Shrimp and Grits Feast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    No dish speaks Southern Sundays like shrimp and grits—savory sausage, creamy grits, and tender shrimp in a sauce worth savoring.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Shrimp and Grits Feast

    Sweet Potato Cornbread for Sunday Supper

    Cornbread baked in an iron skillet.
    Sweet Potato Cornbread for Sunday Supper. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This moist and slightly sweet cornbread was the kind of skillet bread that made Southern Sunday meals legendary.
    Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread for Sunday Supper

    Classic Southern Chicken Fried Steak

    A bite of chicken fried steak on a fork.
    Classic Southern Chicken Fried Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crispy fried steak smothered in creamy white gravy was the centerpiece of countless Southern Sunday tables.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Chicken Fried Steak

    Southern Spinach Mac & Cheese Bake

    A spoon full of baked mac and cheese with spinach.
    Southern Spinach Mac & Cheese Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    A Sunday shortcut favorite—rich, cheesy mac with fresh spinach baked into comfort that comes together in 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Spinach Mac & Cheese Bake

    Sunday 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 Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Hearty chicken stew with fluffy dumplings was the ultimate comfort centerpiece of a Southern Sunday gathering.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Chicken and Dumplings

    Southern Sunday Honey Biscuits

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

    Flaky, buttery biscuits with a golden honey glaze were a sweet tradition on Southern Sunday tables.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Sunday Honey Biscuits

    Sunday Corn Pudding Classic

    A baked corn pudding with a serving spoon removing a portion.
    Sunday Corn Pudding Classic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Golden, creamy corn pudding was a must-have side dish, making Southern Sunday meals unforgettable.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Corn Pudding Classic

    Crispy Sunday Hot Water Cornbread

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

    Golden and crisp on the outside, soft inside—this humble skillet bread was a Southern Sunday favorite for generations.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Sunday Hot Water Cornbread

    Southern Sunday Tomato Pie

    A close-up of a tomato pie in a white dish, with a slice being lifted out, showing layers of tomatoes, cheese, and herbs in a golden, flaky crust—a true nod to southern comfort food classics.
    Southern Sunday Tomato Pie. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Juicy ripe tomatoes baked into a savory pie were a treasured way to celebrate Southern Sundays in summer.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Sunday Tomato Pie

    Sunday Supper Twice-Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

    A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes.
    Sunday Supper Twice-Baked Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fluffy mashed potatoes baked with cheese and green onions were a Sunday favorite—comforting, hearty, and always gone fast.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Supper Twice-Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

    Sunday Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

    A plate of rice covered with poppy seed chicken.
    Sunday Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With creamy filling and a buttery cracker topping, this casserole was a Southern Sunday tradition that fed family and friends alike.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

    Sunday Baked Beans with Ground Beef

    A spoon full of baked beans with hamburger.
    Sunday Baked Beans with Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet, smoky, and hearty, these baked beans with beef were a Sunday side dish that always stole the spotlight.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Baked Beans with Ground Beef

    Sunday Smothered Pork Chops

    A spoon pouring gravy over pork chops.
    Sunday Smothered Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Tender pork chops drenched in creamy gravy made Sundays feel extra special around the family table.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Smothered Pork Chops

    Southern Sunday Lobster Corn Fritters

    Southern Sunday Lobster Corn Fritters. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Golden fritters with lobster and sweet corn brought a taste of celebration to legendary Southern Sunday spreads.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Sunday Lobster Corn Fritters

    Sunday Chicken Fried Chicken

    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 Chicken Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crispy, golden chicken topped with rich gravy was a centerpiece of many Southern Sunday feasts.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Chicken Fried Chicken

    Sunday Chili Mac and Cheese

    A Dutch oven with chili mac and cheese.
    Sunday Chili Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    When chili met mac and cheese, Southern Sundays became legendary with this bold and cheesy one-pot wonder.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Chili Mac and Cheese

    Sunday Creamy Macaroni Salad

    Sunday Creamy Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Cool and creamy with cheddar and tangy dressing, this macaroni salad was a Southern Sunday picnic and potluck staple.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Creamy Macaroni Salad

    Sunday Sausage & Cheese Cornbread

    A slice of sausage cornbread on a plate.
    Sunday Sausage & Cheese Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Loaded with sausage and cheddar, this hearty cornbread was often served as the savory backbone of Southern Sunday suppers.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Sausage & Cheese Cornbread

    Sunday Chili with Cheesy Grits

    Close-up of a baked dish in a casserole, featuring a golden, herb-speckled topping. A serving has been scooped out, revealing layers of ground meat in a chili poblano tomato-based sauce underneath. The dish looks hearty and freshly made.
    Sunday Chili with Cheesy Grits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Spicy chili smothered in baked cheesy grits was a dish that made Southern Sunday meals legendary.
    Get the Recipe: Sunday Chili with Cheesy Grits

    It’s Not Sunday Dinner Without Flaky Biscuits and Soft Rolls

    A collage showing flaky biscuits on parchment paper at left, and soft, golden dinner rolls in baskets and close-up at right.
    Bake Flaky Biscuits and Soft Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Discover the best-kept Southern secrets for golden biscuits and pillowy rolls. This guide makes it simple to bake breads that rise tall, taste buttery, and bring comfort to every table.
    Grab it here: Bake Flaky Biscuits and Soft Rolls

    Explore Recipes

    MSN Slideshows
    « When You Don’t Have Time, These 30 Crockpot Dinners Step In
    The 22 Everyday Easy Dinners I Can’t Stop Cooking »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

    Subscribe

    Cookout Side Dishes

    • Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions.
      Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon
    • A scoop of summer squash casserole.
      Creamy Squash Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping
    • A serving bowl with a dressed peach and pasta salad.
      Summer Pasta Salad with Fresh Peaches
    • A wooden spoon with a serving of macaroni salad.
      Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Our All-Star Recipes

    • A round baking dish of mac and cheese with a serving spoon.
      Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
    • A skillet of charred corn with a wooden spoon.
      Skillet Charred Corn with Bacon and Cream
    • A serving spoon of ground beef potato casserole.
      Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup
    • A serving spoon of baked beans with hamburger.
      Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    • A baked chicken tamale pie.
      Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust
    • Square biscuits in a bowl with coffee cups.
      Square Buttermilk Biscuits (Tall & Flaky)

    COPYRIGHT © 2026 BUTTER & BAGGAGE | PRIVACY POLICY | WEB STORIES
    BRANDING & CUSTOMIZATION BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

    20 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required