Planning a porch supper gets tricky when you need enough variety to keep everyone fed without spending the entire day in the kitchen. From recipes I have developed over the years, these 21 cover casseroles, smoky sides, slow-cooked mains, pickles, soups, and fruit cobbler with the generous portions an unhurried meal calls for. There are dishes to set out early, plates to pass around, and warm finishes worth saving room for. Whether a few neighbors stop by or supper stretches into the evening, this collection gives you practical choices for every part of the spread.
Corned Beef Hash Casserole
Built around canned corned beef, frozen shredded potatoes, green bell pepper, and Jarlsberg, Corned Beef Hash Casserole bakes under buttery rye bread crumbs in 50 minutes. The recipe makes 8 servings and can be assembled ahead. Slice it for brunch with fruit and muffins, or place it beside eggs for a fuller plate. Leftovers also reheat well for breakfast or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Hash Casserole
Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Creamy grits made with milk, chicken broth, cheddar, and pepper Jack form the base of Shrimp and Grits Casserole, while shrimp, bacon, corn, garlic, and cream go over the top. It takes 1 hour 10 minutes and feeds 6. Add collard greens, smoked asparagus, or a crisp salad alongside it. Sweet tea works well with the Cajun-style heat.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie
Under a golden layer of refrigerated biscuit dough, Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie holds shredded chicken, peas, carrots, celery, and onion in a thick milk and chicken broth sauce. The 50-minute recipe serves 5. Let the filling rest briefly before spooning it out so it stays creamy instead of runny. Roasted green beans or a simple salad can round out the plate.
Get the Recipe: Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie
Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan
Roasted until soft before being scooped and mashed, Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan combines squash with Greek yogurt, garlic powder, and ¾ cup Parmesan. The mixture goes back into the squash shells for a quick broil, then gets scallions and toasted pecans or walnuts. It takes 1 hour 25 minutes and serves 4. Pair it with turkey, pork, salmon, or ham.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
With chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, stuffing mix, and broth doing nearly all the work, 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken produces its own gravy as it cooks. The card lists 4 hours 5 minutes and 4 servings. Spoon the chicken and stuffing onto plates with mashed potatoes or green beans. A crusty roll can handle any sauce left at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Mashed sweet potato gives Sweet Potato Cornbread extra moisture, while buttermilk and nutmeg add tang and a mild warm note to the cornmeal batter. It bakes in 20 minutes and takes 30 minutes from start to finish. The recipe cuts into 8 servings. Bring it out warm with butter and honey, or place wedges beside barbecue, soup, stew, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread
Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops
After a quick flour coating and skillet browning, Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops cooks with diced tomatoes, beef broth, onion, green bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. The sauce is partly blended at the end for a thicker texture. It takes 4 hours 10 minutes and feeds 6. Mashed potatoes, white rice, or bread give the tomato-based sauce somewhere to land.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops
Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Low, steady smoke turns Smoked Sweet Potatoes soft inside while oil, salt, and pepper season the skins. Each potato is split and topped with compound butter made from chipotle, adobo sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, and onion powder. The recipe cooks for 2 hours and serves 4. Add them to the smoker beside pulled pork, turkey, or another barbecue main.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sweet Potatoes
Classic Corn Pudding Casserole
Eggs and half-and-half bind chopped corn, grated onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and shredded fontina or Swiss in Classic Corn Pudding Casserole. The dish takes 1 hour and makes 8 servings. It can be assembled and refrigerated up to a day before baking. Set it beside roasted ham, grilled chicken, pork chops, green beans, or a leafy salad.
Get the Recipe: Classic Corn Pudding Casserole
Hoppin’ John
Bacon starts the base of Hoppin’ John, followed by onion, celery, green bell pepper, garlic, black-eyed peas, and a smoked ham hock. The peas simmer in chicken broth while the rice cooks separately, then the meat is pulled from the hock and stirred back in. It takes 1 hour and serves 6. Cornbread and collard greens make natural additions.
Get the Recipe: Hoppin’ John
Pickled Watermelon Rind
Sweet, tangy brine made with vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and ginger transforms leftover rind in Pickled Watermelon Rind. The recipe makes 6 servings and requires at least 24 hours of chilling. Chop it into salads, layer it onto sandwiches, or place it beside cheese and grilled meat. It also adds crunch and acidity to tacos.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Watermelon Rind
Pickled Shrimp Egg Shooters
Chilled pickled shrimp sits over hard-boiled egg halves and crème fraîche in Pickled Shrimp Egg Shooters. Lemon, sweet onion, vinegar, mustard seeds, dill, garlic, and red pepper flakes season the shrimp during a four-hour rest. The full recipe takes 4 hours 20 minutes and serves 6. Arrange the pieces with pimento cheese, cornbread, or other small bites.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Shrimp Egg Shooters
Mississippi Mud Potatoes
Chopped potatoes are coated with bacon, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheddar, scallions, garlic powder, and onion powder in Mississippi Mud Potatoes. The casserole makes 8 servings and bakes covered before being uncovered so the cheese can brown. Bring it out beside ribs, chicken, or a green salad. Leftovers can also be reheated in a skillet and served with eggs.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes
Rice and White Bean Soup
A simple base of onion, carrot, celery, and garlic supports the rice, cannellini beans, and spinach in Rice and White Bean Soup. Broth, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes provide the seasoning. It takes 40 minutes and yields 8 servings. Place bread, salad, or sandwiches nearby, then finish each bowl with Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon.
Get the Recipe: Rice and White Bean Soup
Raspberry Cobbler With Fresh, Juicy Berries and Buttery Biscuit Topping
Fresh or frozen raspberries cook with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch beneath Raspberry Cobbler With Fresh, Juicy Berries and Buttery Biscuit Topping. Cold butter and heavy cream create the drop-biscuit layer, which browns while the fruit bubbles around it. The 50-minute dessert serves 6. Let it cool briefly, then spoon it into bowls with ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Cobbler With Fresh, Juicy Berries and Buttery Biscuit Topping
Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder With Chipotle
Bacon, onion, celery, carrot, and potato build the base of Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder With Chipotle. Corn, red bell pepper, shrimp, heavy cream, and chipotle in adobo join the pot near the end. It takes 40 minutes and makes 12 smaller servings. Ladle it into bowls with crusty bread or place it before a sandwich-based lunch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Shrimp & Corn Chowder With Chipotle
Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
High-heat roasting concentrates the tomatoes, shallots, and whole garlic cloves used in Oven Roasted Tomato Soup. The vegetables are simmered with broth, blended smooth, and finished with heavy cream. The recipe makes 5 servings. Bring grilled cheese, a substantial sandwich, or balsamic-dressed greens to the table, with bread available for the last of the soup.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup
Summer Tomato Flight
Six different toppings turn thick heirloom tomato slices into Summer Tomato Flight, including burrata with balsamic, pesto with mozzarella, ricotta with honey, feta with cucumber, a BLT version, and a garden ranch option. The board takes 20 minutes and serves 2. Assemble it immediately before eating, then add bread, grilled chicken, or simple pasta if a larger meal is needed.
Get the Recipe: Summer Tomato Flight
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Classic Sloppy Joe sauce made with ground beef, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and seasonings coats penne in Sloppy Joe Casserole. Monterey Jack and buttered hamburger bun crumbs finish the top. The casserole takes 45 minutes and feeds 6. Add garlic bread, cornbread, coleslaw, or a green salad when the dish needs a little company.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole
Texas Corn Succotash
Corn, bacon, jalapeño, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and butter come together in Texas Corn Succotash. The stovetop side takes 25 minutes and makes 8 servings. Fresh corn needs a few more minutes than frozen, but either can be used. Prepare it before guests arrive and reheat it for barbecue, grilled meat, or a Tex-Mex-style supper.
Get the Recipe: Texas Corn Succotash
Smothered Pork Chops with Onions & Mushrooms
Seared bone-in chops are briefly baked before Smothered Pork Chops with Onions & Mushrooms is finished with a gravy of white onion, sliced mushrooms, chicken broth, garlic, and heavy cream. The recipe takes 45 minutes and lists 6 servings. Let the meat rest while the sauce thickens, then spoon it over the chops with rice, potatoes, vegetables, or bread nearby.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops with Onions & Mushrooms