Is it a simple soup and salad?Is it a burger and fries?

Or is your favorite dish the appetizer rather than the entree?

Here at Southern Living we like to talk about making a great dish, or a restaurants signature dish.

Southern Living Heavenly Chicken Lasagna in the baking dish ready to serve

Sometimes the perfect dish is what defines regional cuisine, like red beans and rice, or crawfish etoufee.

Explore Food and Recipes

Southern Living Picnic Dip in a bowl to serve with chips and vegetables

A pan of Sloppy Joe Casserole with a few scoops taken out and put in bowls

Kentucky Hot Brown on a white plate - Southern Living

Southern Living Seven Can Casserole in a bowl to serve

Southern Living Cuban Sandwich on a plate to serve with a pickle and chips

Southern Living Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole in the dish to serve

Southern Living Cowboy Meatballs in the pan ready to serve

Southern Living Blueberry-Croissant Breakfast Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve

Southern Living Green Salad in the bowl ready to serve

classic grits breakfast casserole in a white dish with a scoop taken out

Southern Living Chicken Noodle Casserole in a baking dish ready to serve

Southern Living Grilled Pimento Cheese on a plate ready to serve

Southern Living Cucumber Sandwiches on a platter to serve

Southern Living Ham and Potato Casserole scooped out onto plates to serve

Southern Living Cheesy Chicken Casserole with a serving scooped out

Southern Living Easter Salad on plates to serve

Southern Living Carrot Ribbon Salad on a platter to serve

Southern Living Margaret Bragg’s Fried Chicken on a platter ready to serve

Southern Living Million Dollar Pineapple Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve

Southern Living Sloppy Joes on a plate to serve with pickle spears and potato chips

Southern Living Vidalia Onion Dressing

Southern Living Million Dollar Deviled Eggs on a platter to serve

Southern Living Meatball Soup in bowls ready to serve

Southern Living Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Pot Roast served over mashed potatoes

cheesy ham, broccoli, rice casserole in a round dish

Southern Living Cattle Drive Casserole on a plate to serve

Southern Living Company Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve

chicken-andouille gumbo with roasted potatoes in a black bowl with spoon

Southern Living Tuna Melt Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve

Southern Living Beef Stroganoff Soup in bowls ready to serve

Southern Living White Bean-and-Radicchio Soup in the pot ready to serve

Southern Living Albóndigas de Camarón in a bowl to serve over rice

Southern Living Sopa de Lentejas in bowls ready to serve

Southern Living Sopa de Fideo in a bowl ready to serve

Southern Living Charcuterie Pizza sliced and ready to serve

Southern Living Kale Caesar Salad tossed and ready to serve

Southern Living Tennessee Onion Soup in bowls to serve

Southern Living Brunswick Stew in a bowl to serve

Southern Living White Bean Soup in bowls ready to serve

Southern Living Hamburger Rice Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve

Southern Living Southern Penicillin Soup

Southern Living Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole on a plate ready to serve

Southern Living Busy Day Chili in a bowl to serve topped with sour cream and cheese

Southern Living Chicken and Corn Chowder in a bowl ready to serve

Southern Living Chicken Cornbread Casserole after baking ready to serve

Southern Living Kentucky Burgoo in bowls to serve

An overhead view of a table of barbecue dishes

Southern Living Chunky Onion Dip in a bowl ready to serve with vegetables

Southern Living French Quarter Cheese Spread on a plate ready to serve with crackers

Southern Living Mock Apple pie sliced and ready to serve with ice cream

Southern Living Chrstmas Salad in the bowl to serve

Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Southern Living Onion Jam in a jar ready to serve

Southern Living Cowboy Stew in bowls ready to serve

Shrimp Cocktail Dip in a bowl with bread slices

Southern Living Crab Imperial baked in shells to serve

oyster dressing in casserole dish with hot sauce and lemons

Southern Living Slow Cooker Turkey Chili in the bowl ready to serve

Sausage Stuffing

Southern Living Poblano Pepper Smashburgers on a plate ready to serve

beef stroganoff - Southern Living

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole