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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Southern Comfort Food Recipes That Won't Keep You in the Kitchen All Night

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 16, 2025, updated September 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Southern comfort food is all about hearty, satisfying dishes that bring warmth and joy to the table. These 20 recipes are perfect for anyone looking to enjoy classic flavors without spending all night cooking. From savory casseroles to sweet desserts, these meals are sure to please everyone and keep the kitchen time to a minimum.

    Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings

    Dutch Oven Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Chicken and dumplings soup is a classic Southern dish that brings warmth and comfort. This simple recipe is made from scratch, featuring fluffy drop dumplings and a creamy soup, all ready in under an hour. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending all evening in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin Chili

    Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin Chili
    Photo Credit: This Healthy Ttable.

    Chili is a warm and filling dish that's just right for chilly evenings. It's hearty and sure to please everyone at the table. With just a few basic ingredients and not much work, you can whip up a delicious bowl of chili that makes a great dinner.

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    Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings

    Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    A warm bowl of Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings is perfect for when you want something comforting and filling. This dish brings all the creamy goodness of the traditional southern favorite, but it's much simpler to prepare thanks to the fluffy Bisquick dumplings. It's a great option for busy nights when you still want a satisfying meal.

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    White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

    White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This dish is all about comfort and warmth. It's creamy, rich, and packed with cheese, delivering a lot of flavor in every bite. Plus, it reheats nicely, making it a great option for busy nights.

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    Crockpot Potato Soup

    Crockpot Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Crockpot Potato Soup is a warm and hearty dish that's easy to make and full of flavor. It has all the delicious toppings of a baked potato, like bacon, cheese, and green onions. This soup is great for cold days when you need something cozy and filling.

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    Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hock

    Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hock.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Red beans and rice is a classic dish that brings the taste of New Orleans right to your table. Packed with flavor from Cajun spices, spicy andouille sausage, and smoked ham hocks, this meal is both hearty and satisfying. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This stew is a comforting meal that cooks itself while you go about your day. It combines tender beef with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a rich, thick broth. This is a good dinner for busy nights when you want something warm and satisfying without spending a lot of time cooking.

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    Authentic Southern Shrimp and Grits

    Authentic Southern Shrimp and Grits.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Shrimp and grits are a beloved dish from the South. This recipe features creamy grits that are packed with flavor, paired with perfectly seasoned, tender shrimp. It's a comforting meal that's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights.

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    Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken

    Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    This Southern classic is a favorite that never disappoints. Each piece of chicken is soaked in a flavorful buttermilk mixture, making it super tender. Then, it’s coated in a special blend of spices and flour that fries up to a perfect golden brown, creating a crunchy and crispy texture.

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    Buffalo Mac and Cheese

    Buffalo mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kermperyd.

    This mac and cheese combines the best flavors for a comforting meal. It's spicy, cheesy, creamy, and simply delicious. With quick preparation and minimal cooking time, you can have it ready to enjoy in about an hour.

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    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti

    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Skillet Chicken Spaghetti is a comforting Southern dish that offers a tasty twist on your usual spaghetti. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish combines tender chicken and pasta in a flavorful sauce, making it a family favorite.

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    Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Chicken drumsticks are a delicious option, especially when you use a slow cooker. The sweet and tangy pineapple barbecue glaze gives the chicken a fantastic flavor. It's easy to put together and will be ready in just a few hours, making it ideal for a relaxed meal. With very little effort, you can enjoy a hearty dish without having to spend all day cooking.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a simple way to enjoy delicious, tender pulled pork without needing a smoker. Using a slow cooker allows the flavors to develop beautifully, resulting in juicy meat that's perfect for any meal. This dish is great for busy nights when you want something satisfying with minimal effort.

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    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is a simple meal that you can prepare in one pot, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It’s a satisfying dinner option when you don’t have time to cook on the stove. With just a few ingredients and your slow cooker, this dish comes together easily. Everyone will love it, providing a hearty meal without needing to spend hours in the kitchen.

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    Southern Fried Catfish

    Southern Fried Catfish.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Southern Fried Catfish is a fantastic choice when you're craving seafood. The fish is tender and covered in a crispy, seasoned cornmeal coating that adds great flavor. It's a simple dish that brings a taste of the South to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    Ribs are rubbed with a perfect spice blend and cooked in the slow cooker until deliciously tender. A flavorful family dinner idea that you can easily pair with any vegetable side dish.

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    Smothered Chicken

    Smothered Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Seasoned chicken is cooked until it’s beautifully golden brown. After that, it’s covered in a rich and creamy gravy that makes it incredibly tender and flavorful. This dish is all about comfort and satisfaction, perfect for a busy night when you want something hearty and delicious.

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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 nice heartiness 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 combines delicious flavors and is perfect for a cozy meal without needing much effort.

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    Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

    Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: My Kitchen Sanctuary.

    Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with a crunchy, buttery Ritz cracker layer. It's a comforting dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights. This casserole brings together simple ingredients for a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    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 special twist that makes it stand out. It's the perfect comfort food, whether you're enjoying a Sunday dinner or celebrating a holiday. This dish is simple to prepare and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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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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