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When you’re looking forward to a family reunion, there’s no shame in looking forward to being reunited with certain dishes as much as with your kin. Family recipes surely strike a note of nostalgia, but it’s never too late to start new food traditions. If you’re looking for a dish or two to bring to your next family reunion, take a cue from our community’s favorites, from potato salad to buttermilk pie. Save these dishes for your next family get-together or whenever you’re craving home-style cooking.
Scotcharoos
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“These have been a favorite at our annual family reunion for the last 20 years or so,” home cook Tori Robinson says of these chocolate and peanut butter crispy rice treats. “Everyone will be fighting over them!”
Herman Reunion Cheese Ball
“The requests for this family recipe never stop, so here it is for everybody to enjoy,” recipe contributor Ann says. Cool cream cheese gets a kick from minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and shredded Cheddar, all coated with ground pecans and parsley.
Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings
“A Southern favorite and the hit of our family reunion in 1995,” says recipe contributor Teresa C. Rouzer. It’s a nostalgic favorite for other home cooks, too—like reviewer TR21 who says this dish tastes like childhood, as well as Christine Hartnett Reardon who compares it to a Cracker Barrel favorite.
Cauliflower Salad with Cheddar and Bacon
Crunchy cauliflower, bell pepper, and red onion get a coat of creamy dressing (like Miracle Whip) sweetened with sugar. Bacon and shredded Cheddar round it out. “My aunt has been bringing this cold dish to our family reunion for years, and there’s never any left,” recipe contributor TAMATHAK says.
Grandma’s Wonderful Picnic Cake
“Grandma was about the best baker I’ve ever known. This is the cake she brought to every picnic or family reunion. It can’t be beat,” recipe contributor Cheryl King says. Raisins add chew to this spice cake, and a topping of brown sugar, walnuts, and chocolate chips finishes it off.
Light Spaghetti Salad
Topped with fresh chunks of diced tomato, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, this Light Spaghetti Salad proves that family reunion recipes need not be rich and heavy to be a hit. “I had this at a family reunion. Several years later I was wanting this and played around until I came up with this recipe. I am always asked to bring it to potlucks at work,” recipe contributor TXLADY3K says.
Slow Cooker Fajita Vegetables
“We originally came up with this recipe as we had to provide dinner for 20 at our family reunion. We had a nice Mexican salad, Mexican rice in a slow cooker, and barbecued the beef and chicken on the grill,” says recipe contributor George P. Cooper. Utilize your slower cooker for a family barbecue to afford you more outdoor time. Not to mention, avoiding the oven and stove will the keep the kitchen cooler in the summer.
Chef John’s Buttermilk Pie
“Made two of these for a family reunion and everyone raved! They even were racing to get the last piece,” Sheila L. Blalock says. Lemon juice and zest amp up the tang of this buttermilk pie from Chef John, who says it resembles a cross between vanilla custard and lemon meringue pie.
Italian Cookies with Anise
“Every family reunion since I can remember, my great Aunt Nin brings anise-flavored Italian cookies that everybody loves,” says recipe contributor AliciaVR6. Allrecipes Allstar Kim tells us these buttery, fluffy cookies deserve a whopping 10 stars and deliver “just the right amount of anise flavor.”
Great-Aunt Nina’s Noodles and Chicken
“This was a fixture at family reunions when I was a child, and the slow cooker makes it even easier,” says recipe contributor Diana Hagewood Smith. This hearty soup will hit the spot at your own family reunion.
Easy Sweet Potato Dumplings
“So yummy and easy to make,” recipe contributor Belinda Owens McMath says of these sweet, spiced dumplings, which call for crescent rolls and frozen sweet potato patties. “I tried these at a family reunion and searched the room to find out who made them and begged for the recipe!”
Uncle Drew’s Skillet Brownies
“A recipe my Uncle Drew brought with him when he visited for our family reunion,” says recipe contributor tea_leaves. “I think we made about five batches of these rich, chocolaty goodies over the course of his stay!”
Dad’s Potato Salad
Recipe contributor mattdillard911 calls this cross between a potato salad and pasta salad “great for picnics, family reunions, feeding a family of seven at home, or a family of 8 at the fire station.” At 15 servings, this recipe will fill up a crowd.
Easy Cabbage Casserole
“This is a quick and easy recipe and is so delicious! This cabbage casserole is a favorite at family reunions and church suppers,” recipe contributor Joy Miller says. “Even the kids love it!” With just 15 minutes of prep time, it’s easier to pull together than most cabbage casseroles, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the family.
Watergate Salad
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
“Watergate salad is an American classic. This delightful side dish salad or dessert is made with pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, nuts, and whipped topping,” says recipe creator Jennifer. “It comes together in minutes and after one to two hours in the refrigerator, this chilly treat will impress your dinner guests with it’s light and fluffy texture and colorful appeal. Garnish with crushed pistachios and maraschino cherries.”
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople
“This amazing apple pie recipe belonged to my grandmother,” says recipe creator MOSHASMAMA. “I have never seen another one quite like it! It will always be my favorite and has won several first place prizes in local competitions. It makes the perfect dessert for family dinners or during the holidays, topped with whipped cream or ice cream, or alongside a slice of Cheddar cheese.”
Dad’s Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
“This turkey pot pie recipe made with leftover turkey from your holiday dinner makes two 9-inch pies,” says recipe creator Rob Neil. “Chunks of white and dark turkey meat are mixed with peas, carrots, and beans in a creamy sauce that screams comfort food. Using ready-made pastry dough and frozen vegetables cuts down on prep time. These leftover turkey pot pies are so delicious, they don’t last long!”