17 Christmas Classics Only Midwesterners Will Truly Appreciate
The Midwest is truly the gift that keeps on giving, and that's especially the case when it comes to all the best Christmas dishes. If you're lucky enough to be gathering around a table somewhere between the Dakotas and Indiana, you know very well that the region delivers more than just tater tot casseroles (although our recipe is pretty stellar). So we thought we'd round up all the best recipes for Midwestern classics that'll make any Christmas dinner even more delicious (no matter where you celebrate).
Midwestern food might get the reputation for being beige, but that doesn't make it any less iconic. After all, we have the Midwest to thank for so many foods the whole country is grateful for, like corn (especially in corn casserole form), cheese (in our cheese ball bites), potatoes (in our funeral potatoes), and yes, more cheese (for our loaded green bean casserole). Pair any of these scene-stealing sides with your favorite roast (like our traditional pot roast or this copycat Honey Baked Ham) and you'll have a dinner that'll make all the other regions jealous.
Whatever you choose, don't forget the desserts! The Midwest has the monopoly on some of the best Christmas treats, too — like sweet candy barks (like our gingerbread cookie bark), buckeyes, Jell-O cake, and Kringle. One bite of those will have you thinking, "Ope, gotta make all of these recipes."
Gingerbread Cookie Bark
If you’re a gingerbread head like us, congratulations, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect recipe for your holiday season. This bark blends white chocolate with all your favorite holiday spices and is topped with gingerbread cookies to create a simple yet delightful treat. Feel free to experiment with different spices and adjust the recipe to your taste! Just be sure to add your toppings quickly, as the chocolate will start to set, especially when placed in the refrigerator.
Get the Gingerbread Cookie Bark recipe.
Cheese Ball Bites
These easy, cheesy bites are perfect for literally any occasion. They are so simple to make, and super versatile based on what you have on hand. Whether you're serving them as a game day snack or a Christmas appetizer, these bites will keep your guests coming back again and again (...and again).
Get the Cheese Ball Bites recipe.
Corn Casserole
Also a holiday casserole staple in the South, corn casserole is packed with sweet corn, balanced by a pinch of paprika and herby chives, and has an insanely tender and custardy texture that will have you on your third helping before you even know what hit you.
Get the Corn Casserole recipe.
Buckeyes
Loaded with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate, Ohio-famous buckeyes are basically a homemade Reese’s peanut butter cup in truffle form. They’re easy to make and great for taking to parties—although if you do, you should probably attach a warning label to the plate. You won’t be able to have just one.
Get the Buckeyes recipe.
Tater Tot Casserole
Midwesterner or not, this tater tot casserole should be a staple at all your tailgates this fall. Sure, it sounds ideal for the kiddos, but trust us—everyone's inner child will be scooping seconds too.
Get the Tater Tot Casserole recipe.
Beef Stroganoff
With its rich sauce deepened in flavor with red wine, Dijon mustard, and finished with tangy sour cream, beef stroganoff is the dish to keep in your back pocket when you need a reliable, cozy weeknight dinner or an alternative holiday main. Simple to make with many pantry staples, this is the dinner to reach for on those nights when you want your whole kitchen to be filled with the embracing aromas of a home-cooked meal, with very little effort required.
Get the Beef Stroganoff recipe.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you're a 90's kid, it's likely that cheesy tuna casserole was your grade-school jam. We love it, not just because it is a budget-friendly way to used canned tuna, but it is decadently cheesy in the best way. We remember this dinner-table favorite fondly—we instantly get visions of a just-out-of-the-oven, breadcrumb-encrusted, melty tuna casserole just thinking about it, so we knew we had to make our own, slightly more deluxe version.
Get the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
Perfect Pot Roast
A classic main player on Midwestern holiday tables, this slow-cooking dish is the meal to make when you want to impress and satisfy without a crazy amount of effort. The shredded beef meal comes complete with tender potatoes and carrots and a sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything. You’ll need some time and patience, but trust us—the result is more than worth it.
Get the Perfect Pot Roast recipe.
Loaded Potato Skins
We expect nothing less than fully loaded from our potato skins. What does "fully loaded" mean to us? If it's topped with cheddar, sour cream, bacon, and scallions (or chives), it's loaded. Examples include (but are CERTAINLY not limited to): loaded mashed potatoes, loaded pickle chips, and loaded zucchini skins.
Get the Loaded Potato Skins recipe.
Funeral Potatoes
Don't be fooled by the name—the only thing deathly about this casserole is how absolutely delicious it is. This cheesy, creamy casserole is originally a Mormon dish, but has now become a staple at holidays in midwestern households.
Get the Funeral Potatoes recipe.
Snickers Puppy Chow
We love a good puppy chow recipe. It’s sweet, a little salty, endlessly snackable, and always a crowd-pleaser. This version tastes like a Snickers bar and adds in peanuts alongside the classic Chex cereal for a crunchy twist. It still has the makings of a classic puppy chow recipe with a gooey melted chocolate sauce and a nice coating of confectioners’ sugar.
Get the Snickers Puppy Chow recipe.
Danish Kringle
If you love almond croissants, you’ve GOT to try this Danish kringle. Stuffed with creamy almond filling and glazed with icing, these flaky ring-shaped pastries are equal parts decadently rich and irresistibly delicious.
Get the Danish Kringle recipe.
Loaded Green Bean Casserole
Wave goodbye to that can of cream of mushroom soup and meet your new favorite green bean casserole! It's got bacon, chives, and SO much cheese. If you've got vegetarian company, feel free to leave the bacon out—it's got plenty of cheese to make up for it. 😏
Get the Loaded Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Jell-O Cake
This Jell-O cake is a delicious and easy dessert that was all the rage at potlucks and parties in the '70s and '80s, and we want to bring it back. It's giving nostalgia, kitsch, and strawberry shortcake vibes, and we are here for it.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Deviled Eggs
A classic appetizer, deviled eggs bring the party to any event. While they’re fairly simple to make, there are a few ways you can go wrong when making this classic. If you’re looking for a foolproof method to hard boiling and filling your deviled eggs, our best-ever recipe should be your new go-to.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Copycat Honey Baked Ham
Honey Baked ham is grand, deliciously smoky, and has a signature caramelized crust all over. It's also something you have to order in advance and can be a little on the pricey side. If you didn't have time to order a ham or want to save some money, this copycat recipe is for you.
Get the Copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe.
Potato Rolls
Fresh out of the oven, each of these rolls has a crispy bottom, buttery top, and unbelievably soft center. The secret? Starch from potatoes.
Get the Potato Rolls recipe.
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