15 Comforting Fall Meals All Southerners Love
These cozy dishes blend the flavors of the season and the region!
When the thermostat drops and trees across the South turn crimson and burnt orange, autumn is officially in the air. The change in seasons in the Southern states is definitely a sign to partake in fall festivals, football games, and bonfire gatherings, but it’s also a cue to make all of your favorite cozy Southern classics. Since this time of year brings brisk mornings, golden afternoons, and chilly evenings, you’ll probably be craving comfort food all season long. And while the South is no stranger to hearty dishes, autumn is the perfect time to fill up on dense casseroles, satisfying soups, and homemade pies.
Luckily, Ree Drummond and The Pioneer Woman excel in fall fare and Southern cuisine, so there are plenty of delectable options to browse when you’re in desperate need of some meal inspiration. Below, you’ll find warm Southern staples (think: brisket, pork chops, and biscuits) and nostalgic Thanksgiving recipes (corn pudding and pecan pie, anyone?), but you’ll also spot traditional Southern dishes with an autumnal spin like pumpkin mac and cheese. And we've included a special focus on Southern vegetables, such as collard greens and Brussels sprouts, that hit their peak freshness in autumn. Whether you’re throwing together a soul-soothing Sunday dinner, mixing up a seasonal dish for a tailgate, or baking up a storm for Thanksgiving, these fall favorites are all about tradition, warmth, and (as always) lots of butter.
Here’s a roundup of the coziest fall dishes that all Southerners love.
Try some more festive fall recipes:
Butternut Squash Casserole
Casseroles are the ultimate Southern comfort food. So, why not give this dish a seasonally inspired spin come autumn? Infuse the flavors of fall into a gooey, greasy casserole by adding butternut squash, caramelized onions, crispy kale, and crunchy almonds. Of course, this recipe has plenty of cheese and bacon, so it's just as rich and satiating as Southerners like it!
Get the Butternut Squash Casserole recipe.
Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pork with Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Pork is an important part of every Southern diet, and fall is no exception. This pastry-wrapped, honey mustard-drizzled pork tenderloin is the perfect meal for dark, chilly nights. (Plus, while it cooks in the oven, your kitchen will feel extra toasty!) Maximize the fall flavors by pairing the doughy entrée with a side of Brussels sprouts, sprinkled with shredded apples and almonds.
Get Ree's Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pork with Brussels Sprouts Slaw recipe.
Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup
This Southern soup highlights everything we love about fall: hearty ingredients and a creamy texture. While Italian sausage, cannellini beans, and tender kale steal the spotlight (and give the dish a cozy, warming taste), there’s also a hint of apple cider vinegar that packs in a tangy autumnal punch. This recipe is super easy to reheat, so you'll have leftovers all week!
Get Ree's Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup recipe.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Filled with ooey-gooey goodness, macaroni and cheese always seems to find its way onto Southerners’ dinner tables. While traditional mac and cheese is ideal for any autumn evening, you can take it up a notch by adding the quintessential fall flavor: pumpkin. The result is earthy and creamy with a hint of sweetness—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe.
Pecan Pie
It isn’t a Southern Thanksgiving without pecan pie! If you’re on dessert duty, consider making Ree’s tried-and-true recipe: It’s indulgent, nutty, and rich, and it has a buttery homemade pie crust. If you serve up slices of this humble treat during the holiday, everyone will be begging for seconds.
Get Ree's Pecan Pie recipe.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are a dish Southerners savor all year ‘round, but because this vegetable is harvested in the fall, it tastes extra flavorful during cozy season. These slow-simmered greens infused with a rich broth strike a balance between soft and meaty. Serve them as a side during weeknight family dinners or add them to a holiday-party menu that'll wow your guests.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Skillet Cornbread
Homey and wholesome, cornbread is a Southern dish that simply screams fall. Ree’s all-time favorite cornbread recipe is made in a cast-iron skillet, so it’s as crispy, golden, and delightful as you’d imagine. Drizzle it with honey for an extra dose of sweetness, and parcel it out during Thanksgiving dinner.
Get Ree's Skillet Cornbread recipe.
Chicken Fried Chicken
Fall evenings in the South are all about slowing down and cozying up with a nourishing meal—and what better way to do that than with a plate of fried chicken? For the crispiest, most tender version you’ve ever tasted, try this recipe: Battered boneless chicken is soaked in buttermilk and pickle juice and drenched in decadent gravy. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it!
Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.
Slow-Cooker Brisket
There’s nothing like a few slices of brisket to keep you warm and satiated on a bitter day in autumn. If you’re a Southerner, you probably have a trusty recipe at your disposal, but this slow-cooker brisket is not one to overlook. Featuring a secret ingredient (spoiler alert: onion soup mix!), this entrée is perfectly juicy and incredibly rich, with a little touch of sweetness!
Get the Slow Cooker Brisket recipe.
Sweet Potato Pie
Pumpkin pie tends to get all the attention on Thanksgiving, but Southerners know sweet potato pie is the real star of the dessert spread. Although both fall treats are delicious in their own right, sweet potato pie is like pumpkin pie’s sweeter, lighter, and fluffier cousin. Top off this silky-smooth dish with bourbon-spiked whipped cream for a match made in heaven.
Get the Sweet Potato Pie recipe.
Self-Rising Biscuits
Seriously, is there anything better than biting into a warm, flaky biscuit? Well, actually, yes—if the recipe is as simple to follow and easy to make as Ree’s Self-Rising Biscuits! (It also doesn’t hurt that hers are slathered with melted butter!) Not only do these rolls taste fantastic, but they’re also the perfect thing to make if you’re pressed for time but want a side that's guaranteed to satisfy.
Get Ree's Self-Rising Biscuits recipe.
Fried Cabbage
Cabbage is another seasonal vegetable that takes on an even richer flavor in the fall. And frying it until it’s the perfect blend of crispy yet tender is the Southerner-approved way to prepare it. To make this veggie even more filling and comforting, cook it with thick-cut bacon and caramelized onions.
Get the Fried Cabbage recipe.
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is a key aspect of the standard Southern diet, but it’s especially fitting for autumn. This warm, cozy dish feels like putting on your favorite fall sweater. In this recipe, shredded chicken and doughy dumplings get an upgrade with spiced, diced vegetables and a creamy, luscious base. Yes, please!
Get Ree's Chicken and Dumplings recipe.
Grits Casserole
If you’re on the hunt for a savory, substantial fall breakfast that’s native to the South, try a casserole with cheesy grits, greasy bacon, and fluffy eggs. For a kick that’ll help you brave a cold autumn morning, mix in chopped jalapeño peppers and garnish the finished product with a generous dash of hot sauce.
Get the Grits Casserole recipe.
Sheet Pan Pork Chops
We just had to add another pork-centered dish to this list! Pork chops coated in tangy honey mustard and cooked with thinly sliced apples represents all the best that fall in the South has to offer. Plated up with a side of golden, roasted Brussels sprouts? Say no more!
Get Ree's Sheet Pan Pork Chops recipe.
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