28 Southern and Soul Food Dinners That Satisfy the Whole Family
FEBRUARY 13, 2023
MAIN DISHES
SOUTHERN AND SOUL FOOD
If you’re looking for a meal that speaks to your soul, you’ve come to the right place. From comforting mac and cheese to classic fried chicken, these 28 Southern and soul food main dishes are sure to hit the spot.
From time-honored recipes passed down through generations to contemporary adaptations of Southern favorites, you’ll find something everyone can enjoy. Whether it's shrimp, sausage, chicken, or even a vegan version of Southern classics, we've got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or an indulgent weekend feast, this collection of Southern and soul food main dishes has it all. So grab a seat at the table and get ready to dig in.
Tornadough Alli
Chicken Fried Chicken
Easy and delicious, this Chicken Fried Chicken is a quick and flavorful dinnertime recipe that brings the whole family to the table. With minimal ingredients, it's a simple and comforting meal.
81
582.9k
1.0k
30 min
TOTAL TIME
714
CALORIES
$1.55
PER SERVING
View Recipe
The Recipe Critic
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Sheet Pan
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Sheet Pan is so incredibly easy but packed with such amazing cajun flavor! This is a healthy and delicious meal that is also great for meal prep!
34
73,182
1,143
20 min
TOTAL TIME
502
CALORIES
$4.27
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Elf Proclaimed Foodie
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Cajun Shrimp Pasta with a spicy and rich cream sauce is a quick and easy dinner recipe with just the right amount of kick!
475
168.1k
2.9k
15 min
TOTAL TIME
464
CALORIES
$1.89
PER SERVING
View Recipe
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Budget Bytes
Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
This easy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is the perfect easy and filling weeknight dinner, packed with plenty of smoky-spicy flavor!
192
53,511
974
45 min
TOTAL TIME
510
CALORIES
$2.20
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Half Baked Harvest
Lighter Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Spicy flavor, bell peppers, crispy chicken, plus the best creamy sauce...all made in just one pot in 30 mins!
386
17,328
128
25 min
TOTAL TIME
558
CALORIES
$1.85
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Creme de la Crumb
Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet
This Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet is a one-pot wonder full of flavorful shrimp and rice with a Cajun seasoning that the entire family will enjoy!
1,082
276.1k
1.3k
30 min
TOTAL TIME
470
CALORIES
$4.37
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Rabbit and Wolves
Vegan Blackened Tofu with Cheesy Grits
Healthy baked blackened tofu served with super cheesy easy grits. The ultimate comfort food!
34
41,831
489
30 min
TOTAL TIME
435
CALORIES
$2.32
PER SERVING
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Mom Can
Southern Fried Chicken Tender Strips
Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders with tons of spices! The best darn flavor for Southern Chicken Tenders.
61
5
45 min
TOTAL TIME
911
CALORIES
$5.94
PER SERVING
View Recipe
The Johan
Southern Fried Chicken: The Perfect Comfort Food
Southern Fried Chicken is the perfect comfort food - and this ultimate version gets extra crispy and tasty every damn time.
8
513
CALORIES
$1.72
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Half Baked Harvest
Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Chicken
This Oven Fried Chicken is a slightly healthier, and much easier, take on the famous Nashville Hot Chicken. Breaded in corn flakes, oven baked, and finished with a beyond perfect sweet and spicy honey butter sauce, this is a chicken dinner that's sure to be loved by all!
1,345
64,617
45 min
TOTAL TIME
517
CALORIES
$1.34
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Courtney's Sweets
Mississippi Pot Roast
Mississippi Pot Roast is a 7 ingredient beef crockpot recipe. This crock pot Mississippi pot roast is bursting with flavor and form tender.
4
13 min
TOTAL TIME
693
CALORIES
$3.08
PER SERVING
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Charisse Yu
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage
This easy cajun shrimp recipe with veggies and sausage is perfect for a hot summer day. Cooked in less than 15 minutes, this will be your family's favorite!
5
30
247
CALORIES
$2.62
PER SERVING
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Taste of Home
Blend of the Bayou
My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved to Louisiana. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and beautiful. I've passed it on to my children, too. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
24
24
1,172
45 min
TOTAL TIME
546
CALORIES
$3.65
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Chelsea's Messy Apron
One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage & Veggie Pasta
This Cajun Sausage Pasta is deliciously creamy, perfectly spiced, and deeply savory. Plus, we've made it a little bit lighter -- no heavy cream needed!
7
17,584
108
40 min
TOTAL TIME
499
CALORIES
$2.03
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes
Vegan Étouffée
Étouffée is a luxurious stew from Louisiana that's typically made with shellfish. In this delicious, veggie-packed vegan version, bits of golden, chewy tofu spiced with Cajun seasoning make an appetizing stand-in for the seafood.
19
367
38
40 min
TOTAL TIME
316
CALORIES
$3.19
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Delish
Cajun-Stuffed Chicken
Looking for new ways to switch up your weeknight routine? This Cajun-Stuffed Chicken is the best!
11
32,086
2,124
40 min
TOTAL TIME
498
CALORIES
$1.96
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Skinny Taste
Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Dinner
This fast and easy Cajun Shrimp recipe is a meal-in-one, made with shrimp, sausage, and lots of colorful vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash and bell peppers.
141
237.0k
10.6k
30 min
TOTAL TIME
402
CALORIES
$8.88
PER SERVING
View Recipe
The Recipe Critic
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet is the BEST 20 minute meal packed with awesome cajun flavor with shrimp, sausage, and summer veggies. This makes a great low carb meal and is also great for meal prep!
107
475.5k
28.2k
15 min
TOTAL TIME
335
CALORIES
$2.84
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Mom's Dinner
Cajun Pasta Recipe
Cajun pasta is a delicious dinner. Penne pasta, peppers, onions, smoked beef sausage are coated in a creamy cajun sauce with plenty of seasonings.
3
331
11
35 min
TOTAL TIME
804
CALORIES
$2.01
PER SERVING
View Recipe
All The Nourishing Things
Instant Pot Bacon-Jalapeño Baked Beans
Get out your pressure cooker and make the perfect healthy side dish for bar-b-ques, potlucks, and cookouts! These nourishing beans, with their slightly spicy, sweet, bacon-y flavor, are soaked so they're digestible and gas-free!
12
551
35
30 min
TOTAL TIME
151
CALORIES
$1.40
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Tastes Better from Scratch
Authentic New Orleans Style Gumbo
This Authentic New Orleans Gumbo is made with a dark roux, vegetables, chicken, sausage, and shrimp, and served over rice.
4,046
124.0k
2.0k
1 hr 20 min
TOTAL TIME
941
CALORIES
$4.64
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Cooktoria
Cajun Salmon
This Cajun Salmon recipe is an ultra-easy and flavorful dinner to make during your busy weeknights. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
63
165.5k
24.0
25 min
TOTAL TIME
503
CALORIES
$4.61
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Sweet and Savory Meals
Baked Crack Chicken
Baked Crack Chicken is crispy and cheesy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside! It is addictively delicious, loaded with flavors, and very easy to make!
11
85,016
250
30 min
TOTAL TIME
1016
CALORIES
$3.31
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Healthy Fitness Meals
Cajun Shrimp Sausage Skillet
A zesty one-pan meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes!
11
103.2k
124.0
20 min
TOTAL TIME
319
CALORIES
$3.58
PER SERVING
View Recipe
100k Recipes
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Cajun shrimp pasta is a great alternative for a family dinner or even a fancy meal served to guests.
25
28,611
47
20 min
TOTAL TIME
907
CALORIES
$3.28
PER SERVING
View Recipe
The Recipe Critic
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet is the BEST 20 minute meal packed with awesome cajun flavor with shrimp, sausage, and summer veggies. This makes a great low carb meal and is also great for meal prep!
108
239.0k
27.4k
15 min
TOTAL TIME
324
CALORIES
$4.05
PER SERVING
View Recipe
Sweet Tea and Thyme
Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Southern baked macaroni and cheese, also called soul food mac and cheese, is the ultimate in comfort food. My authentic recipe has five cheeses, is creamy, rich and comforting, and stays true to the cultural classic.
3,732
243.9k
675.0
43 min
TOTAL TIME
952
CALORIES
$1.80
PER SERVING
View Recipe
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