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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Quick and Easy Southern Dinners Your Family Will Love

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 15, 2025, updated July 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Southern cooking is all about comfort and flavor, making it perfect for family dinners. With these 18 quick and easy recipes, you can bring the warmth of Southern cuisine to your table without spending hours in the kitchen. From classic dishes to modern twists, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Chenee Today.

    Creamy baked mac and cheese is a favorite in Southern cooking, and this version has a little twist that makes it stand out. It's the perfect comfort food, whether you're enjoying a cozy Sunday dinner or celebrating a special occasion. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table and is easy to whip up for a weeknight meal.

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    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti

    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti is a beloved Southern comfort food that offers a tasty twist on the usual spaghetti dinner. This dish combines tender chicken with pasta in a rich, flavorful sauce, making it a satisfying meal for any night of the week. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty and delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is comforting and satisfying, packed with Italian turkey sausage for a hearty flavor and fresh kale or baby spinach for some added greens. It's easy to whip up, whether you use the stovetop, an Instant Pot, or a slow cooker. This dish is ideal for a cozy meal, combining delicious flavors with little effort.

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    Fried Catfish

    Fried Catfish.
    Photo Credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    A crispy, golden crust on tender catfish is the kind of comfort food that reminds us of good times with family and friends. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, bringing a taste of Southern tradition right to your table. It's simple to prepare and sure to please everyone, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    Southwest chicken casserole.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines juicy chicken, zesty spices, and gooey melted cheese. It's all cooked in one pan, making it easy to prepare on a busy weeknight. With little prep work and plenty of flavor, this casserole is perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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    Creamy Shrimp and Grits

    Creamy Shrimp and Grits.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Creamy Shrimp and Grits is a flavorful dish that's easy to prepare and can be on your table in 30 minutes or less. It brings a taste of New Orleans right to your kitchen, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. This dish combines rich, creamy grits with succulent shrimp, creating a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cast Iron BBQ Chicken Breast

    Cast Iron BBQ Chicken Breast.
    Photo Credit: The Real Recipes.

    This Cast Iron BBQ Chicken Breast is packed with flavor and really easy to make. Using a cast iron skillet gives you that nice char while keeping the chicken juicy. Adding a zesty barbecue sauce takes it to the next level, turning a plain chicken breast into something special.

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    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is a classic dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. It's a staple at gatherings and celebrations across the South, often taking center stage on the table. This creamy, cheesy casserole is a favorite for family dinners and special occasions alike, making it a go-to choice for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty and satisfying dish.

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    Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings

    Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Crispy smoked chicken wings are a fantastic choice for any backyard barbecue. They have a juicy inside and a crunchy outside, making them a hit with everyone. These wings are ideal for gatherings and are sure to impress your friends and family.

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    Easy Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya

    Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar,

    This dish is a classic from Louisiana that brings together the hearty flavors of chorizo, chicken, and shrimp. It’s packed with a variety of vegetables and can even include some pineapple if you like a hint of sweetness. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.

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    6 Cheese Mac and Cheese

    6 Cheese Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Little Nonni.

    This 6 cheese mac and cheese is a comforting dish that everyone will love. With a mix of six different cheeses, it’s creamy and rich, perfectly coating the pasta. The crunchy, buttery breadcrumb topping adds a nice contrast to the smoothness of the cheese. Once you try this, you might forget all about the boxed versions.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas offer an easy way to enjoy a classic Tex Mex dish. With only three ingredients and hardly any prep time, dinner can be on the table with minimal effort. This meal is ideal for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time cooking.

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    Smoked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

    Smoked mac and cheese.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Smoked Mac and Cheese with bacon is a deliciously cheesy dish with a hint of smokiness. This is a great option for game day or any casual dinner.

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    Bisquick Oven Fried Chicken

    Bisquick Oven Fried Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This recipe features crispy fried chicken made with Bisquick, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It can be baked in the oven or cooked in an air fryer, giving you options depending on your kitchen setup. This dish brings back memories of the classic Shake 'n Bake, making it a nostalgic choice for dinner.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan meal without the need for boiling pasta or making a sauce. With a blend of Cheddar and Gruyere cheese, this dish is rich and full of flavor, making it a great choice for any weeknight.

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    Cajun Blackened Chicken Breast

    Cajun Blackened Chicken Breast.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    This Cajun-style blackened chicken breast is packed with flavor and is a popular dish from Louisiana. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something a little spicy and satisfying. You can easily whip it up in your own kitchen and enjoy a taste of the South.

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    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs.
    Photo Credit: Lamberts Lately.

    Air fryer BBQ chicken legs are full of flavor and slathered in zesty barbecue sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and can be ready in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy crispy, crunchy chicken that everyone will love.

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    Savory Green Tomato Pie with Homemade Crust

    Savory Green Tomato Pie with Homemade Crust.
    Photo Credit: Little Black Skillet.

    Summer is the perfect time for a delicious green tomato pie. If you enjoy fried green tomatoes, this savory pie is sure to be a hit. It's tart and tangy, making it a great choice for a main dish, side, or even an appetizer.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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