26 Hearty Midwestern Recipes for Classic Comfort Foods

If you’re in the mood for some hearty comfort food, these Midwestern recipes are just what you need. Get ready to enjoy all your favorites: from twice baked potatoes and 7- layer salad to classic meatloaf and creamy corn casserole. And don’t forget about the pies! With plenty of options to choose from, you’ll find the perfect sweet ending to your meal!

Cranberry Jello Salad

Cranberry risotto recipe with cranberries on a plate. — Photo Credit: xoxoBella

Cranberry Jello Salad with pineapple and oranges is a delicious Midwest salad. The beautiful color makes it perfect for any potluck or dinner party.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Jello Salad With Mandarins And Pineapple

Easy Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage And Potatoes

Slow cooker kielbasa with cabbage and potatoes in a bowl. — Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Slow cooker kielbasa, cabbage, and potatoes is a hearty, warming comfort food dish. You can combine this with either kielbasa, bratwurst, or sausage for a tasty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Kielbasa, Cabbage And Potatoes

Spicy Shrimp Dip

Spicy Shrimp Dip is creamy and delicious dip that makes for a great game day or New Years appetizer. Cheesy, spicy and oh so flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Dip

Ham Pickle Roll Ups (Minnesota Sushi)

A platter of appetizers consisting of pickles and olives wrapped in slices of deli meat, secured with toothpicks. — Ham Pickle Roll Ups (Minnesota Sushi). Photo credit: Midwestern Homelife.

This ham pickle roll up recipe, aka Minnesota sushi, is made ham smeared with cream cheese wrapped around a pickle. Easy and tasty!
Get the Recipe: Ham Pickle Roll Ups (Minnesota Sushi)

Johnny Marzetti (A Midwest Classic)

Baked pasta dish in a cast iron skillet served next to a fresh salad. — Johnny Marzetti (A Midwest Classic). Photo credit: Gypsy Plate.

Who is Johnny Marzetti? One hearty and nostalgic American casserole, that’s who. You might call him by another name, but you know this one!
Get the Recipe: Johnny Marzetti (A Midwest Classic)

Butterscotch Cornflake Cookies

Butterscotch cornflake cookies are super easy, 4-ingredient, no-bake cookies! This simple recipe takes just 20 minutes in total to make.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Cornflake Cookies

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A freshly baked casserole with a golden-brown crust, sprinkled with herbs. — Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. Photo credit: Comfort Cooks.

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with cheddar biscuits is made in one pan with simple pour and cook ingredients. Your whole family will love it!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Indiana Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier Pie)

A slice of custard pie with a sprinkle of cinnamon on a white plate with a fork. — Indiana Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier Pie). Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

The Indiana state pie is a delightful custard sugar cream pie. This old-fashioned recipe is still a Hoosier favorite for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Indiana Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier Pie)

Rhubarb Custard Pie

A slice of rhubarb pie on a plate with the whole pie in the background. — Rhubarb Custard Pie. Photo credit: The Food Hussy.

Rhubarb Custard Pie is an absolutely irresistible pie. The tart rhubarb mixed with lots of sugar and a creamy custard is just decadent!
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb Custard Pie

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

This dish has pot pie vibes but uses tater tots for a topping instead of crust. I know your whole family will love this when dinner rolls around. Using rotisserie chicken and tater tots are tasty shortcuts for a wholesome meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Easy Rhubarb Sauce

A serving of rhubarb compote with cream in a glass dish, accompanied by a spoon and additional compote in a jar, on a light surface. — Easy Rhubarb Sauce. Photo credit: Gift Of Hospitality.

You just need three ingredients for this quick and easy rhubarb sauce. It’s delicious on top of vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt!
Get the Recipe: Easy Rhubarb Sauce

Homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

Open jar of BBQ sauce with a golden spoon nearby. — Homemade Kansas City Style Bbq Sauce. Photo credit: I Heart Eating.

Homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce is a sweet and tangy tomato-based barbecue sauce that’s perfect with ribs, beef, chicken, and more! Impress the family with this at your next BBQ party.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Kansas-Style BBQ Sauce

7 Layer Salad (Original Recipe)

A layered salad with lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, peas, cheese, eggs, and bacon, presented in a clear glass bowl. — 7 Layer Salad (Original Recipe). Photo credit: Gift Of Hospitality.

According to a variety of vintage cookbooks, this appears to be the original recipe for 7 Layer Salad. Made with Hellman’s mayonnaise, this classic dish isn’t going anywhere— just everyone’s tummies.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad (Original Recipe)

Cheese Frenchee

Fried cheese-stuffed snacks on a plate with a melted cheese filling visible. — Cheese Frenchee. Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

The Cheese Frenchee is a midwestern hidden gem thats crispy, crunchy, and gushing with melted American Cheese. Think fried grilled cheese. Yum!
Get the Recipe: Cheese Frenchee

Michigan Salad

Fresh salad with leafy greens, topped with apple slices, raisins, walnuts, and crumbled cheese. — Michigan Salad. Photo credit: Easy Salads.

Get the recipe for the classic Michigan Salad loaded with tart cherries, chopped apples, walnuts, and more. This is definitely a Michigan staple!
Get the Recipe: Michigan Salad

Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Cheese-stuffed meatloaf wrapped in bacon on a wooden board. — Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. Photo credit: The Slow Roasted Italian.

Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf is tender, juicy, and bursting with bold flavors! Make this recipe tonight with fresh ingredients and pantry staples.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Cheeseburger Pie

A cheeseburger in pie form? Yes please! This Cheeseburger Pie is filled with hearty beef, grilled onions, and cheese, and it comes together quickly and easily on a busy weeknight!
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Pie

Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad

A molded carrot salad garnished with herbs on a white plate. — Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad. Photo credit: Jello Joy.

The beloved mid-century carrot and pineapple jello salad remains a potluck favorite. This versatile recipe makes for a great dessert or side-dish!
Get the Recipe: Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad

Old Fashioned Salmon Patties

A plate of crispy fried salmon cakes served with lemon wedges and green onions. — Old Fashioned Salmon Patties. Photo credit: Crinkled Cookbook.

Old Fashioned Salmon Patties are just like what grandma used to make, using pantry ingredients to create delicious, crispy, pan-fried patties.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Salmon Patties

Cincinnati Chili

A plate of spaghetti topped with meat sauce and shredded cheddar cheese. — Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Savvy Mama Lifestyle.

Love the Skyline chili recipe? This easy 5 way cincinnati chili recipe is a family favorite that everyone loves. You don’t have to be from Ohio to enjoy this!
Get the Recipe: Cincinnati Chili

Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

An open-faced roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes on the side. — Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Homestyle diner foods are a comfort food favorite, and a Hot Roast Beef Sandwich is among the best of them! Tender beef with homemade gravy, for the win!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

Classic Creamy Pea Salad With Bacon

A bowl of pea salad with cubed cheese and bacon pieces on top. — Classic Creamy Pea Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Whiskful Cooking.

This Classic Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon is a delicious side dish that is full of flavor with sweet peas, savory bacon, and bites of sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for weeknight meals or easy to make ahead for special occasions, potlucks, or holidays.
Get the Recipe: Classic Creamy Pea Salad With Bacon

Crispy Cornflake Crusted Baked Walleye

A plate of breaded fish accompanied by a side salad, lemon wedge, and tartar sauce on a wooden surface. — Crispy Cornflake Crusted Baked Walleye. Photo credit: Weekday Pescatarian.

An ultra-crispy baked walleye recipe that’s a great alternative to deep-fried fish and chips. Ready in 30 mins and the family will love it!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Cornflake Crusted Baked Walleye

Corn Casserole

This Corn Casserole is a simple side dish that will be a hit with your friends and family. You can also serve it year-round— that’s the best thing about a great recipe!
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Green Beans With Bacon

Green Beans with Bacon is an easy side dish that your family will love. If you have leftovers, add chicken or some other meat and have a green bean salad for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans With Bacon

Twice Baked Potatoes

Twice Baked Potatoes are the perfect side dish and a delicious comfort food. This recipe is made with potatoes, milk, egg, cheese, green onion, and more.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes