19 Southern Recipes Made for a Slow Sunday Dinner

Sunday dinner is a good excuse to slow down and put a few comforting favorites on the table. These Southern-inspired recipes bring together hearty mains, classic sides, warm breads, and old-fashioned desserts that feel right at home at a family meal. There’s plenty here for building a generous spread everyone can linger over.

Southern Cornbread Recipe (Without Buttermilk)

Close up of a pan of cornbread with a slice centered between 2 missing pieces. — Southern Cornbread Recipe (Without Buttermilk). Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The moist Southern Cornbread recipe is made without any buttermilk! Instead, it uses simple ingredients and is cooked in a sizzling hot cast-iron skillet.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Recipe (Without Buttermilk)

The Ultimate 6 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy baked macaroni and cheese in a white dish with a wooden spoon and a blue striped towel nearby. — The Ultimate 6 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The six-cheese macaroni & cheese recipe is truly the ultimate! There are 3 kinds of cheese in the sauce & 3 more layered between the noodles.
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate 6 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole

Close up of a wooden spoon scooping up sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

A creamy sweet potato casserole topped with brown sugar-pecan crunch, make-ahead friendly and perfect for holidays
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole

Southern Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet

Peach cobbler in a skillet with ice cream on top, served with a spoon, fresh peaches beside. — Southern Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The Southern Peach Cobbler is cooked in a cast-iron skillet. The peaches caramelize on the stove making a gooey brown sugar sauce with a butter crust.
Get the Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet

Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Rows of old fashioned buttermilk biscuits — Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The old fashioned buttermilk biscuit recipe makes the tallest biscuits with lots of soft layers. Your friends will be asking for your recipe!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Southern Country Sausage Gravy

biscuits smothered in gravy — Southern Country Sausage Gravy. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The sawmill gravy recipe uses sausage drippings to add delicious flavor! It is easy to make with just 4 ingredients and only 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Country Sausage Gravy

Louisiana Gumbo Recipe

A bowl of gumbo with white rice in the center, garnished with chopped green onions. — Louisiana Gumbo Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The authentic Louisiana gumbo is rich and flavorful! It's made with a dark roux, and filled with andouille sausage, crab, and shrimp!
Get the Recipe: Louisiana Gumbo Recipe

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe

Two pieces of crispy fried chicken on a dark plate, garnished with chopped green onions. — Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Perfectly crisp, flavorful and juicy buttermilk fried chicken recipe. Made with flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe

Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe

Open-faced sandwich with melted cheese, bacon, tomato slices, and chives on a white plate with a fork. — Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

The Kentucky Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich that layers thick slices of turkey, a smothering of cheesy mornay sauce, and crispy bacon.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe

Sweet Potato Pie With Condensed Milk

A slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream on a white plate with a fork. — Sweet Potato Pie With Condensed Milk. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

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Sweet potato pie with sweetened condensed milk is the perfect fall dessert, with warm spices, vanilla, and creamy pie filling.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie With Condensed Milk

Smoky Bourbon Baked Beans with Apples and Bacon

Smoky bourbon baked beans with bacon and caramelized apple. It is comforting, flavorful, and perfect for cookouts or family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Bourbon Baked Beans with Apples and Bacon

Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans

These Crock Pot Green Beans are made with delicious green beans, crispy bacon, aromatics, and spices for the perfect easy side dish. Everything slow cooks in the crockpot for a low-effort side the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Crock Pot Green Beans

Easy Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole

The Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole is a stick-to-your-ribs dish made with savory breakfast sausage, eggs, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, and a rich peppered gravy. Perfect for making ahead and serving for breakfast or brunch!
Get the Recipe: Easy Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole

Easy Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler (Using Premade Pie Crust Dough)

Old-fashioned peach cobbler is a sweet, warmly spiced dessert that’s easy to make. Made with juicy peaches, cozy spices, and a store-bought crust, this comforting recipe is perfect for casual gatherings or Sunday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Easy Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler (Using Premade Pie Crust Dough)

Creamiest, Cheesiest, Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe

The slow cooker mac and cheese recipe will become a family favorite, I promis! There’s nothing like the creamy, cheesy goodness of digging into a hearty helping of homemade mac and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Creamiest, Cheesiest, Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe

Spicy Southern Pimento Cheese Spread

Pimento cheese spread is a creamy, tangy Southern dish that’s quick and easy to make. Blended with cheddar, cream cheese, mayo, pimentos, and spicy jalapenos, this spread is perfect for parties or everyday snacking.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Southern Pimento Cheese Spread

Southern Lobster Corn Fritters

Sweet corn and lobster make winning combination in this easy corn fritter recipe. Serve them up with a spicy aioli as an appetizer or main course.
Get the Recipe: Southern Lobster Corn Fritters

Brown Butter Cornbread

Southern cooking at its best with Brown Butter Cornbread baked in a skillet using fresh corn and sour cream. Make it sweet with something unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Cornbread

Southern Banana Pudding Recipe from Scratch

The classic banana pudding is creamy, layered with bananas, wafers, and pudding for a nostalgic Southern dessert. Simple, sweet, and crowd-pleasing.
Get the Recipe: Southern Banana Pudding Recipe from Scratch