For when you want to channel your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder.
37 Recipes Inspired by Life on the Prairie
Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
Fresh Pumpkin Pie
In my opinion, there’s no contest as to which homemade pumpkin pie is best. No matter how good your canned filling is, it will never match pumpkin pie from scratch. —Christy Harp, Massillon, Ohio
1/37
2/37
Rustic Honey Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my boys were young, they couldn’t drink milk but they could have yogurt. This was a cake they could eat. And it’s one dessert that doesn’t taste overly sweet, which is always a nice change of pace. —Linda Leuer, Hamel, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 248 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
3/37
Country Ham and Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Browned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 261 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1337mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
4/37
Apple Butter
Total Time
11 hours 20 min
Servings
4 pints
From the Recipe Creator:
I make several batches of this simple and delicious homemade apple butter recipe to freeze in jars. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, you can adjust the sugar to taste. —Betty Ruenholl, Syracuse, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 68 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 9mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
5/37
Sausage Patties
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These country-style patties are so simple to prepare. You'll never again settle for store-bought versions that are loaded with preservatives and not as good. —Bertha Bench, Mineral Wells, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 patty: 242 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 502mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein.
6/37
Blueberry Rhubarb Country Tart
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When the rhubarb comes in, mix it with blueberries for a rustic and bubbly tart. Offer it to a friend with a warm cup of tea. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 290 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
7/37
Country White Bread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Anytime is the right time for a comforting slice of homemade bread. These loaves are especially nice since the crust stays so tender. This white bread recipe is my husband Nick's favorite. He makes most of the bread at our house. —Joanne Shew Chuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 125 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
8/37
Granny's Rhubarb Pie
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe originated with my grandmother, who baked many different rhubarb desserts. This was always a favorite of mine. —Blanche Baninski Minto North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 595 calories, 27g fat (7g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 469mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
9/37
Canning Spaghetti Sauce
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
9 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
Canning spaghetti sauce recipes are a tomato grower's dream come true! Use up your garden bounty and enjoy it later in the year. —Tonya Branham, Mt. Olive, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 118 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
10/37
Homemade Chicken Potpie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Why look for potpie in the frozen food aisle when this easy version tastes much better? The chicken pot pie's crust is so tender and flaky, and underneath you'll find the ultimate comfort food for kids and adults. —Amy Briggs, Gove, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 439 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 526mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
11/37
Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves this decadent homestyle recipe of buttermilk, potatoes and butter. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup (calculated without optional toppings): 313 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 531mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.
12/37
Three-Bean Baked Beans
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 269 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 708mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein.
13/37
Crusty Bread
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece (calculated without add-ins): 105 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
14/37
Pecan Bacon
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Crispy, sweet bacon dresses up any breakfast. When my girls see this, they call it "special breakfast." The big flavor punch just may surprise you. —Catherine Ann Goza, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 bacon strip: 142 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 186mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
15/37
Sausage Cornbread
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornbread is a staple here in the South. I added sausage and cheese to a cornbread recipe and came up with this satisfying dish. It goes especially well with soup.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 369 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 731mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
16/37
Pear Pie
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I entered this pie in a local baking contest and ended up winning! Bartlett pears hold up well when baked, adding a nice layer of texture. —Darlene Jacobson, Waterford, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 438 calories, 21g fat (6g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 317mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
17/37
Buttermilk Biscuits
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
The recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 222 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 508mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
18/37
German Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 cups syrup)
From the Recipe Creator:
Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier's theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it's an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you're feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast, too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with 1/4 cup syrup: 428 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 203mg cholesterol, 543mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
19/37
Country Crust Sourdough Bread
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
For many years, I've been making 45 loaves of this bread for an annual Christmas bazaar, where we feed bread and soup to over 300 folks. — Beverley Whaley, Camano Island, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 113 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
20/37
Blueberry Jam
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This perfectly spreadable blueberry jam boasts a beautiful dark color with a sweet seasonal flavor. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 95 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 25g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
21/37
Rustic Squash Tarts
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 tarts (8 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is hiding a big surprise. Flaky, rustic-looking pastry shells hold a sweet and spicy pecan layer under the squash slices. —Ann Marie Moch, Kintyre, ND
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 279 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
22/37
Old-Fashioned Applesauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
We had all kinds of apple trees in the yard when I was growing up, so I don't know for sure which ones Mother liked best for applesauce. (Today I use Cortlands.) I do know that her applesauce was very white. The secret, she said, was to keep the apples in salt water while she peeled them so that they wouldn't darken. —Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 122 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 31g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 4g fiber), 0 protein.
23/37
Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits
Total Time
35 min
Servings
7 biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
Every bite of these flaky biscuits get a little kick from cayenne pepper and sharp cheddar cheese. They're a nice accompaniment to soup and stew.
—Kimberley Nuttall, San Marco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 304 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
24/37
Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
Total Time
5 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe originally came from my father-in-law, but I made some changes to give it my own spin. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 199 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
25/37
Cornbread Dressing
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
13 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's nothing quite like cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving. —Drew Weeks, Edisto Island, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 197 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 592mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
26/37
Grandma Pruit’s Vinegar Pie
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This historic pie has been in our family for many generations and is always served at our get-togethers.—Suzette Pruit, Houston, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 545 calories, 25g fat (13g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 316mg sodium, 78g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
27/37
Lemon Roasted Chicken
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
2 chicken thighs with 4 ounces potatoes and 2 tomatoes: 446 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 429mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 45g protein.
28/37
Cheese Grits
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a comfy side dish, cheese grits have fantastic potential but sometimes need a flavor boost. For add-ins, try red pepper flakes, fresh rosemary or crushed garlic. —Paula Hughes, Birmingham, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 225 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
29/37
Cinnamon Apple Pie
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 633 calories, 30g fat (12g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 169mg sodium, 90g carbohydrate (62g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
30/37
Buttermilk Cornbread
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The tattered recipe card for this buttermilk cornbread proves it's been a family favorite for years. It's my daughter's top request. —Judy Sellgren, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 390 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
31/37
Pork Chops with Gravy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an impressive and elegant dish that can be served to guests. You can use any fresh herbs you like, even the ones you have one hand.—Betty Slivon, Sun City, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 1/3 cup gravy: 683 calories, 55g fat (23g saturated fat), 189mg cholesterol, 933mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein.
32/37
Potato Pan Rolls
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves these rolls and requests them often. They don't take long to make because you use quick-rise yeast. —Connie Storckman, Evanston, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 163 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 239mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
33/37
Fried Apples
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom often made these rich cinnamon-sugar apples when I was growing up. I swear the folks at Cracker Barrel copied her recipe! —Margie Tappe, Prague, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 235 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 3g fiber), 0 protein.
34/37
Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Total Time
25 min
Servings
1-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
We don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 308 calories, 22g fat (14g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 37mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
35/37
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh Herbs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 2 tablespoons cooking juices: 203 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
36/37
Rye Bread
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This gorgeous rye bread has just a touch of sweetness and the perfect amount of caraway seeds. With a crusty top and firm texture, it holds up well to sandwiches, but a pat of butter will do the job, too. —Holly Wade, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 118 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
37/37
Butternut Squash Rolls
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With their cheery yellow color and delicious aroma, these appealing buns will brighten your buffet table. Plus, I've found this recipe is a wonderful way to use up squash from the garden. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 135 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 213mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
