Top 23+ Christmas classics only Midwesterners will truly appreciate

We may be biased, but we think it’s safe to say that the Midwest truly is the gift that keeps on giving. While the Midwest delivers on delicious eats all year round, comfort food season is where the region really shines—and what time of year embodies comfort season more than Christmas? 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 a 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 or potatoes au gratin), 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, our copycat Honey Baked Ham, or our roast chicken), 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 peanut brittle. One bite of those will have you thinking, "Ope, gotta make all of these recipes."

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!

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.

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.

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.

Roast Chicken

The perfect roast chicken recipe doesn't require a lot of extra ingredients, just some kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. The steps to make this chicken are simple: You season the bird, then roast it at high heat until the skin is bronzed and crisp and the flesh juicy.

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.

Oreo Truffles

If you’re looking for an easy alternative to chocolate truffles, then these Oreo truffles are the answer. They only require a handful of ingredients and a little over an hour to make, making them a perfect last-minute holiday dessert or homemade gift for a friend, and they are an ideal make-ahead dessert for any party.

Peanut Brittle

Ready in 20 minutes with mainly pantry staples, this peanut brittle is for anyone who can't get enough of toasty, nutty flavors or the irresistible sweet and sugary crackle of brittle. Perfect as a holiday dessert or something to snack on during the festivities, this easy treat gets some added special flavors that we think truly make it a perfect brittle.

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).

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-boil and fill your deviled eggs, our best-ever recipe should be your new go-to.

Saltine Toffee

Hosting a party? Building a cookie box? Making edible gifts for the holidays? You can’t go wrong with saltine toffee. Using just 4 common household staples, this sweet and salty treat is ridiculously simple to make and oh so good.

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.

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.

Snickers Puppy Chow

Puppy chow is 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.

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, it's loaded.

Creamed Brussels Sprouts

We cook these sprouts with plenty of butter, cream, and cheese. This method upgrades even the most humble vegetables while still allowing them to be the star of the show. It also helps the Brussels sprouts retain their moisture in the oven—even the staunchest Brussels sprout skeptics will be asking for seconds.

Potatoes Au Gratin

Mashed potatoes might be the go-to holiday side dish, but if you really want to impress your guests, you’ve got to make these potatoes au gratin. Infused with garlic and thyme and layered with Gruyère and Parmesan, a bubbling dish of these rich and creamy potatoes will truly stop the show.

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.

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.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

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.

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.

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.