TheMidwestcan get a bad rap.
But people who think like that clearly haven’t dined with us.
These vintage Midwestern recipes might just change your mind.
Courtesy of The Cozy Cook
100+ Best-Ever Comfort Food Recipes
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is a quintessential Midwestern comfort food.
Get our recipe forChicken Pot Pie.
Get our recipe forBaked Potato Soup.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
(Did you know Outback Steakhouse’s version has almost 3,000 calories?)
Get our recipe forCheese Fries.
Bust out the cast-iron skillet if you aren’t up for grilling.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Get our recipe for anA1 Swiss Burger.
The best part of this recipe?
It calls for you to drink half the beer before cooking with it.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Get our recipe forBeer Can Chicken.
But apple pie is a throwback indulgence all year round in the Midwest.
Get our recipe forApple Pie.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
In other places, it’s a major indulgence.
You don’t have to have a smoker to make this simple recipe, either!
Get our recipe forSmoky Ribs with Peach BBQ Sauce.
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Get our recipe forWaffles with Ham and Egg.
Get our recipe forSpaghetti and Turkey Meatballs.
This is not just any old hot dog.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
This healthy version swaps full-fat dogs for a reduced-fat, all-beef option.
Get our recipe for aChicago Hot Dog.
Get our recipe forIce Cream Sandwiches.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Eliminate some of the extra fat content while preserving the memories by using veggie elbow macaroni and less butter.
There’s even an option to integrate some Greek yogurt.
Get our recipe forCrispy, Crumb-Topped Mac and Cheese Cups.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Get our recipe forShredded BBQ Rubbed Pork Shoulder with Creamy Slaw.
This pumpkin marinara recipe sounds like a bizarre combination but is anything but.
Get our recipe for aPumpkin Marinara Flatbread.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Get the recipe fromHalf Baked Harvest.
Get the recipe fromThe Cozy Cook.
Cherry Pie Kuchen Bars
What the heck is Kuchen?
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You’re going to have to make a stop in South Dakota to find out.
This is the state dessert and for good reason.
Get the recipe fromCooking Classy.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Tater Tots
If your favorite aunt didn’t make these, are you even a Midwesterner?
Get the recipe fromWell Plated.
But it’s true, and possible, as this recipe proves.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
Simply work some protein powder into the mix, and you have a delectable, justifiable snack.
Get the recipe fromFit Foodie Finds.
This probiotic-rich recipe is flavored with garlic, turmeric, and ginger.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
Throw it on top of an all-beef hotdog or beside a pork chop for a classic meal.
Get the recipe fromMinimalist Baker.
Every garden vegetable can be a star of this show, from mushrooms to green peppers to onions.
Blaine Moats
Get the recipe fromSally’s Baking Addiction.
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
Some consider Kentucky a Midwestern state, so we’re including it here.
The open-faced turkey sandwich often has bacon, tomatoes, pimientos, and a cheesy sauce called Mornay.
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Bake the sandwiches with butter sauce, including Worcestershire, and don’t forget to pair with amint julep.
Get the recipe fromThe Seasoned Mom.
We still can’t help but pair it with mashed potatoes, though.
Courtesy of The Cozy Cook
Get the recipe fromAmbitious Kitchen.
Opt for whole-wheat flour and lean beef to make this Midwest staple even healthier.
Get the recipe fromThe Baker Mama.
Courtesy of Cooking Classy
you’re free to also try parmesan and cilantro for a surprising combo.
Get the recipe fromBlissful Basil.
A version of this story was originally published in August 2022.
Courtesy of Well Plated
It has been updated to include new information.
Courtesy of Fit Foodie Finds
Courtesy of Minimalist Baker
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Courtesy of The Seasoned Mom
Courtesy of Ambitious Kitchen
Courtesy of The Baker Mama
Courtesy of Blissful Basil
