Let’s be real—no summer potluck is complete without some Southern charm. We’re talking slow-cooked baked beans, golden cornbread, creamy deviled eggs, and that one cobbler that disappears before you even grab a plate. Whether you’re hosting the family reunion or bringing a dish to church, these comfort food staples will feed a crowd and fill your heart. You’ll want every single one on your July table—trust me.

Old-School Pecan Pie

A pecan pie on a white plate, featuring a golden crust filled with whole pecans and a rich, glossy filling. It's set on a marble surface beside a cutting board with chopped pecans and a knife. A striped cloth and pink plate are nearby.
Old-School Pecan Pie. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Sweet, sticky, and topped with a sea of glossy pecans, this old-school pecan pie skips the corn syrup for a more natural, nutty richness. It’s the perfect sweet ending to your July cookout or Sunday supper.
Get the Full Recipe: Old-School Pecan Pie

Crockpot-Easy Mac and Cheese

Crock-Pot macaroni and cheese being scooped with a spoon
Crockpot-Easy Mac and Cheese. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Creamy, cheesy, and crock-pot easy—this Southern mac and cheese brings the kind of comfort that melts hearts (and cheese). It’s the no-fail crowd favorite every potluck table needs.
Get The Full Recipe: Crockpot-Easy Mac and Cheese

Chili with a Southern BBQ Twist

Two bowls of chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped herbs, set on a rustic wooden table with red and white striped towels underneath each bowl.
Chili with a Southern BBQ Twist. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality,

This isn’t your average chili. It’s sweet, spicy, and loaded with BBQ sauce, baked beans, sausage, and Southern soul. Set it out at your next summer gathering—there won’t be leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chili with a Southern BBQ Twist

Southern Pound Cake

sweet buttery pound cake slices with blueberries and mint
Southern Pound Cake. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Moist, buttery, and begging for berries—this Southern pound cake brings a velvety texture that holds up to whipped cream and fruit. Just one bite and folks will be asking for the recipe.
Get The Full Recipe: Southern Pound Cake

Crispy Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish filled with a tater tot hotdish. The top layer consists of crispy, golden tater tots arranged in neat rows, drizzled with ketchup. Some are removed to reveal a filling of mixed vegetables and ground beef. A plaid cloth is nearby.
Crispy Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Layered with veggies, beef, and golden tots, this casserole is nostalgic comfort food at its best. It’s hearty enough to feed a crowd—and simple enough for any cook to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Tater Tot Casserole

Slow-Cooked Green Beans That Taste Like Grandma’s

A rectangular white plate filled with cooked green beans and pieces of bacon, placed on a checked cloth.
Slow-Cooked Green Beans That Taste Like Grandma’s. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Simmered with bacon and Southern seasoning, these green beans bring the kind of flavor that feels like a big Southern hug. They’re a July cookout side you’ll make on repeat.
Get the Full Recipe: Slow-Cooked Green Beans That Taste Like Grandma’s

The Creamiest Deviled Eggs You’ll Ever Try

A white plate with seven deviled eggs, each topped with a smooth yellow filling and garnished with small green parsley leaves. The plate sits on a soft yellow cloth.
The Creamiest Deviled Eggs You’ll Ever Try. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Deviled eggs just got an upgrade—cream cheese makes these impossibly smooth and extra rich. Bring a tray and watch them disappear in minutes.
Get the Recipe: The Creamiest Deviled Eggs You’ll Ever Try

Baked Beans with a Deep Molasses Glow

Baked beans with bacon on top
Baked Beans with a Deep Molasses Glow. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Molasses, brown sugar, and bacon turn these slow cooker baked beans into a smoky-sweet side that’s pure summer comfort. Let it simmer while you enjoy the sun.
Get The Recipe: Baked Beans with a Deep Molasses Glow

Fried Apples That’ll Steal the Spotlight

Sliced apples cooked in a skillet with a glossy brown cinnamon sauce, placed on a wooden board next to a red and white striped towel.
Fried Apples That’ll Steal the Spotlight. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Tender, cinnamon-sugar apples cooked until buttery and soft—serve them up hot with ice cream or as a sweet side dish everyone talks about.
Get the Recipe: Fried Apples That’ll Steal the Spotlight

Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

A close-up of a baked corn pudding in a blue casserole dish. The pudding is golden brown on top, with a portion scooped out, revealing a creamy interior and pieces of corn. A silver spoon rests in the dish.
Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, comforting and classic — this Southern-style baked cornbread casserole features a custardy cornbread pudding base, mixed with toasted cornbread and fresh or frozen corn. It’s baked until golden brown and bubbling! A must for Thanksgiving, Easter or a potluck but also as a side dish for any special meal.
Get the Recipe: Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

Smothered Chicken So Good

cajun chicken and gravy
Smothered Chicken So Good. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This tender, gravy-covered chicken simmers with Creole spice and Southern comfort. It’s a belly-filler you’ll crave even in the heat of July.
Get the Full Recipe: Smothered Chicken So Good

Collard Greens with a Sweet & Tangy Kick

A plate of cooked greens, such as collard greens, topped with various seeds and nuts. The dish is served on a white, hexagon-patterned plate with a fork on the side. The greens appear glossy and well-seasoned.
Collard Greens with a Sweet & Tangy Kick. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Maple syrup and apple cider vinegar make this vegan twist on Southern greens lip-smacking good. Even meat lovers go back for seconds.
Get the Full Recipe: Collard Greens with a Sweet & Tangy Kick

Chicken and Dumplings That Take You Back

Homemade chicken and dumplings
Chicken and Dumplings That Take You Back. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Soft dumplings, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce slow-cooked to Southern perfection—this is comfort food that tastes like Grandma’s hug.
Get The Full Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings That Take You Back

Sloppy Joe Casserole That Doubles as a Hug

A skillet with a cornbread-topped pie, one slice missing. The slice is on a white plate, garnished with jalapeño slices and cheese. Nearby are small bowls of shredded cheese and jalapeños, all on a checkered cloth over a round wooden board.
Sloppy Joe Casserole That Doubles as a Hug. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Savory beef, zesty sauce, and a golden cornbread topping—this casserole brings nostalgia and big flavors. It’s a weeknight wonder that works for potlucks too.
Get the Full Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole That Doubles as a Hug

The Cobbler That Screams Southern Summer

homemade peach cobbler with store pie crust
The Cobbler That Screams Southern Summer. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Fresh peaches, flaky crust, and juicy syrupy filling—this cobbler is what summer potluck dreams are made of. Don’t forget the vanilla ice cream.
Get The Full Recipe: The Cobbler That Screams Southern Summer

Carolina Southern Pulled Pork Loin In A Slow Cooker

A fork lifts up saucy pulled pork from a white casserole dish, with extra barbecue sauce in a small bowl behind it. The dish sits on a red and white checkered tablecloth with a brown napkin nearby.
Carolina Southern Pulled Pork Loin In A Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Cooked low and slow in a mustard-honey sauce, this Carolina-style pork is tender, tangy, and made to feed a crowd with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Carolina Southern Pulled Pork Loin In A Slow Cooker

Skillet Cornbread with That Southern Crunch

A skillet of cornbread topped with crispy bacon sits next to a white plate holding two slices of the cornbread, with a fork and a red-striped towel partially visible underneath.
Skillet Cornbread with That Southern Crunch. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Crumbly, golden, and kissed with bacon—this cornbread is skillet-baked for that perfect crust. It’s a must alongside chili or greens
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cornbread with That Southern Crunch

Cheesy Corn Casserole

A white ceramic dish filled with baked crab dip topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped green herbs. A wooden spoon and a napkin sit nearby on a light surface.
Cheesy Corn Casserole. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

With sweet corn and gooey cheese, this side dish only takes 15 minutes of prep but delivers all the summer flavor.
Get the Full Recipe: Cheesy Corn Casserole

Pimento Cheese Sandwich Like the Masters Do It

Master's pimento cheese sandwich
Pimento Cheese Sandwich Like the Masters Do It. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Creamy, sharp, and spread thick—this iconic sandwich from the Augusta National is Southern simplicity at its best.
Get The Full Recipe: Pimento Cheese Sandwich Like the Masters Do It

Chicken Salad That’s Ready in a Flash

extra creamy chicken salad on rye bread
Chicken Salad That’s Ready in a Flash. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Cool, creamy, and full of crunch—this Southern-style chicken salad is ready in 15 minutes and totally customizable.
Get The Full Recipe: Chicken Salad That’s Ready in a Flash

Southern Tomato Pie

A baked tomato tart in a white dish on a wooden surface. The tart is topped with sliced red and yellow tomatoes, chopped herbs, and small cheese pieces. A bunch of fresh basil and a white cloth are in the background.
Southern Tomato Pie. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest

Layers of fresh tomatoes, herbs, and gooey cheese in a golden crust—this savory pie is summer on a plate.
Get the recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

Low Country Southern Boil

Lowcountry boil made in an instant pot crab legs potatoes and corn
Low Country Southern Boil. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Crab legs, potatoes, and corn in one pot thanks to the Instant Pot. This Low Country boil is the no-fuss feast of summer.
Get the Full Recipe: Low Country Southern Boil

Crock Pot Ham That Smells Like a Holiday

A glazed ham with diagonal cuts rests in a white slow cooker. A hand uses a green silicone brush to apply glaze. A small pot containing more glaze with a white spoon is visible in the top left corner.
Crock Pot Ham That Smells Like a Holiday. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Sweet, savory, and fall-apart tender—this slow-cooked ham fills your house with that “come get it” aroma.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham That Smells Like a Holiday

Breakfast-for-Dinner Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

A white rectangular casserole dish filled with a baked breakfast casserole, likely featuring eggs, sausage, and cheese. The dish is placed on a blue and white striped cloth, with a spoon and a stack of white plates nearby.
Breakfast-for-Dinner Biscuit and Gravy Casserole. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Buttery biscuits, peppered sausage gravy, and baked eggs—this dish brings all the brunch vibes to your dinner table.
Get the Full Recipe: Breakfast-for-Dinner Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

Southern Beer Chili

bobby jones beer chili recipe
Southern Beer Chili. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This hearty beer chili is a Southern classic with a unique twist. Made with rich flavors from grass-fed beef, tomatoes, classic chili seasonings, white corn, black-eyed peas, and Calamity Jane beer, it’s a comforting dish.
Get the Recipe: Southern Beer Chili

Tomato Pie Masters Copycat Recipe

Two empanadas on a napkin, placed on a checkered tablecloth with Masters logos. A plastic cup labeled "Masters 2025" filled with an iced beverage is in the background.
Tomato Pie Masters Copycat Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This Masters Tomato Pie Copycat Recipe brings the iconic Augusta flavor home in a fun and easy way. Inspired by the new tomato pie served at the 2025 Masters Tournament, these mini hand pies are filled with creamy pimento cheese and rich tomato basil marinara, then baked in buttery puff pastry dough until golden and crisp.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Pie Masters Copycat Recipe

Bourbon Baked Beans That Bring the Smoke

baked beans with bacon and burbon
Bourbon Baked Beans That Bring the Smoke Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Loaded with bacon and spiked with bourbon, these beans are bold, rich, and BBQ-ready.
Get The Recipe: Bourbon Baked Beans That Bring the Smoke

Spicy Pimento Cheese That Packs a Punch

spicy pimento cheese
Spicy Pimento Cheese That Packs a Punch. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Cheddar, jalapeños, and cream cheese make this zesty spread the star of your next snack table.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Pimento Cheese That Packs a Punch

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

cracker barrel hash brown
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Creamy, cheesy potatoes slow-cooked to buttery perfection — pure comfort. This hash brown casserole is a quintessential Southern comfort food, loved for its rich, cheesy goodness and heartwarming appeal.
Get The Full Recipe: Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Cheese Straws with a Southern Snap

masters cheese straws
Cheese Straws with a Southern Snap. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Buttery, crisp, and sharp with cheddar—these cheese straws are the snack you didn’t know your potluck needed.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Straws with a Southern Snap

Southern Sweet Tea

Two glasses of iced tea with large ice cubes, one garnished with a lemon wedge and the other with a sprig of mint, are placed on a white cloth alongside lemon slices, mint leaves, and a hint of sweetness inspired by a canned cowboy candy recipe.
Southern Sweet Tea. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Brewed strong and poured over ice, this sweet tea is the ultimate refresher for any Southern summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea

Corn Fritters That Sizzle with Summer Flavor

Lobster corn critters on a plate and spicy aioli sauce in a small bowl with lemon zest and chopped green onion.
Corn Fritters That Sizzle with Summer Flavor. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and flecked with lobster—serve these with spicy aioli for serious wow factor.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters That Sizzle with Summer Flavor

Pulled Pork Sliders That Steal the Show

pulled pork buttery slicers
Pulled Pork Sliders That Steal the Show. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Tender pork with a secret sandwich sauce—stack these on buttery buns and watch ’em vanish.
Get The Recipe: Pulled Pork Sliders That Steal the Show

Potato Salad with That Sweet Southern Tang

A bowl of creamy potato salad with diced potatoes, topped with a sprinkle of paprika. A wooden spoon is partially visible next to the bowl.
Potato Salad with That Sweet Southern Tang. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Creamy, sweet, and tangy with just the right crunch—this Amish potato salad is made for summer tables.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with That Sweet Southern Tang

Classic Deviled Eggs

A plate of deviled eggs garnished with paprika. The eggs are neatly arranged in two concentric circles on a speckled grey plate. A small bowl with paprika is partially visible in the foreground, and stacked plates are in the background.
Classic Deviled Eggs. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Simple, tangy, and always the first to go—these classic deviled eggs are the true potluck MVP.
Get the Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs

Easy Dump Dinners For Hot Lazy Summer Nights

A plate of shredded pot roast covered in brown gravy with mushrooms, served over a bed of rice. A black fork is lifting a portion of the tender meat. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top as a garnish.
Easy Dump Dinners For Hot Lazy Summer Nights. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Warm nights and busy days call for dinners that practically make themselves—and that’s exactly what these dump-and-go meals deliver. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker or baking dish, and let the magic happen while you get on with your day. From creamy Tuscan chicken and classic pot roast to cheesy Rotel spaghetti and BBQ pulled pork, each recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort. These crock pot favorites are perfect for lazy nights, busy weekdays, or whenever you need a hearty meal without heating up the kitchen. Get All The Recipes: Easy Dump Dinners For Hot Lazy Summer Nights