22 Classic Church Supper Recipes

Dinner on the grounds—a soulful tradition of gracious plenty—celebrates two things we do best: feast and fellowship.

By

Updated on July 12, 2024

Hashbrown Casserole — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No one does supper quite like a Southern church group. You know the biscuits will be homemade, the casseroles will be aplenty, and the layer cakes will be towering. While we don’t have an army of church ladies at our service, we do have the Southern Living Test Kitchen pros, and we’ve gathered some of the most classic church supper recipes that have come out of our kitchens. With these classic church supper recipes, get ready to pass the plate.

01 of 22

Ham Delights

Ham Delights - Southern Living — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Southerners will always have a soft spot for King’s Hawaiian Rolls, and one visit to a church supper is proof. You’re guaranteed to find at least one batch of ham-and-cheese sliders on these irresistibly sweet rolls.

02 of 22

Shout Hallelujah Potato Salad

Candied Jalapeños — Hector Sanchez

Bragging rights for this flavor-packed, perfectly balanced favorite (from The Southern Foodways Alliance Community Cookbook) go to Blair Hobbs of Oxford, Mississippi.

03 of 22

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole — Photo: Hector Sanchez

Soft, white breadcrumbs double as a feather-light binder and golden crumb topping. To make them, pulse torn slices of day-old sandwich bread in the food processor.

04 of 22

Candied Jalapeños

Southern Living Cowboy Candy in a jar and on top of cream cheese with crackers to serve — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

This is our new go-to summer condiment. Chill at least 48 hours ahead so the jalapeños have time to take on a fiery-sweet crunch.

05 of 22

Oven-Roasted Pork Butt

Southern Living Oven Roasted Pork Butt on sliders to serve — Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

A little pulled pork is always welcome at Southern potluck events, and preparing it in ready-to-go sliders is a great option for a big church supper.

06 of 22

Classic Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Southern Living Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese in the dish to serve with a serving scooped out — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

We were shocked recently when we asked our Facebook audience, “What’s a classic Southern dish you’ve never made from scratch?” and dozens of people answered that they’d never prepared homemade macaroni and cheese. If you fall in that category, this is the perfect recipe to start with.

07 of 22

Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It’s a good thing this recipe makes a big batch! This classic Southern snack will be one of the first dishes devoured at the supper.

08 of 22

Hashbrown Casserole

Hahsbrown Csserole — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

In some parts of the country, hash browns are considered a food just for breakfast, but in the South, a Hashbrown Casserole is welcome to the table any time of day.

09 of 22

Corn Pudding Casserole

Corn Pudding Casserole — Courtney West

Corn Pudding is a Southern staple, and our latest version is extremely creamy and indulgent. A sprinkle of fresh chives and thyme on top makes the presentation beautiful.

10 of 22

Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham — Jen Causey

Macaroni and cheese is required at Southern gatherings, but so is Macaroni Salad. This colorful side is an ideal make-ahead option for busy cooks.

11 of 22

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

a bowl full of Deviled Egg Pasta Salad — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

We once published an article titled: “If You Put Eggs In Your Potato Salad, You Probably Have A Southern Grandma.” Now, we’re upping the Southern recipe ante by adding deviled eggs to our pasta salad, too.

12 of 22

Easy Squash Casserole

Easy Squash Casserole with a spoon and scoop taken out — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Creamy, cheesy, and with just the right amount of crunchy topping, Squash Casserole is one of those dishes that might be puzzling to anyone who isn’t from the South, but it makes perfect sense around here.

13 of 22

Classic Coleslaw

Classic Coleslaw — Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

A bowl of coleslaw is just as essential to a Southern church supper as the potato salad. “My husband has never been a huge fan of coleslaw—until I made this recipe,” wrote one editor.

14 of 22

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Side dish? Dessert? No one knows for sure, but you can bet that it will be at the church supper! This nostalgic dish is the perfect blend of salty and sweet.

15 of 22

2-Ingredient Biscuits

Southern Living 2 Ingredient Biscuits ready to serve with butter — Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Whether they’re served plain, with ham, or with fried chicken, there has to be a basket of biscuits on the table! Our 2-Ingredient Biscuits Recipe makes it easier than ever to accomplish that.

16 of 22

Two-Step Pound Cake

Southern Living Two Step Pound Cake sliced and ready to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Turn out a high-rise cake with a moist, tender crumb by layering the ingredients in the bowl in the order specified. Don't have a stand mixer with a 4-qt. bowl and paddle attachment? Prep the batter the traditional way.

17 of 22

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

a square pan of banana pudding on a yellow linen — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When it comes to banana pudding, store-bought will not do at the church potluck. From the pudding to the fluffy meringue topping, this recipe is made totally from scratch.

18 of 22

Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge

Southern Living Mamie Eisenhower Chocolate Fudge cut and ready to serve — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

This simple fudge recipe was one of the most popular desserts of the 1950s, and it still stands the test of time today. The bite-size squares are perfect for churchgoers to grab as they peruse the event.

19 of 22

Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake

Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake — Courtney West

Homemade caramel frosting can be intimidating for novice bakers, but a Caramel Cake is practically a required guest at the church supper. Try your hand at it with a little help from our Test Kitchen.

20 of 22

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies — Molly Bolton

There are countless articles on the Internet about different tweaks to make the best batch of chocolate chip cookies, but our Test Kitchen found the secret ingredient to rule them all: browned butter.

21 of 22

Seven-Layer Cookies

7 layer cookies southern living — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss

Also known as Hello Dolly Bars, your grandmother probably has a butter-stained card with this recipe on it.

22 of 22

Bisquick Blackberry Cobbler

Southern Living Bisquick Blackberry Cobbler in the dish to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This cobbler comes together easily, thanks to the use of Bisquick baking mix. It's as easy as macerating the blackberries, mixing them in with the prepared baking mix, and then throwing it all in the oven. Serve it warm with ice cream.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

Southern Living BLT Pasta Salad in a bowl to serve with extra bacon on the side

21 Cold Summer Pasta Salads For Easy Meals All Season Long

Blueberry Cobbler with a scoop of ice cream

28 Old-Fashioned Pie And Cobbler Recipes That Are Simply Delicious

Southern Living Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip scooped out and ready to serve with vegetables

30 Recipes To Prove That Bacon Makes Everything Better

Twice Baked Potatoes

75 Potato Recipes To Carry You From Breakfast To Dinner

Stuffed Mushrooms

32 Fancy Appetizers To Start Your Next Dinner Party

Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

13 Peanut Butter Desserts Your Family Will Go Nuts For

Southern Living Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing in a bowl to serve

42 Spring Salad Recipes That Are Fresh And Colorful

Southern Living Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin "Filets" on a plate to serve

94 Quick And Easy Main Dish Dinner Ideas

Little Layer Chocolate Cake - Southern Living

70 Top-Rated Desserts Everyone Should Make At Least Once

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie

10 Inviting Apple Pies For Every Fall Occasion

Dinner Party

Why Southerners Will Never Quit Supper Clubs

Atlantic Beach Pie Bars - Southern Living

58 Sweet-On-Citrus Dessert Recipes

Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

60 Of The Best Barbecue Side Dishes—Because It's Not Just About the Meat

Cranberry Brie Bites

38 Festive Mini Appetizers To Get The Party Started

Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

22 Quick-Fix Dinners That Start with Jarred Pasta Sauce

texas chili in bowls with onions and cheese

11 Beef Chili Recipes That'll Feed A Crowd