Top 10 Recipes of 2021

2021 sure tried it’s hardest to get back to normal, and while we saw hints of normalcy, it still wasn’t quite there, was it? Well, 2021, while far from perfect, sure did bring some good news Paula’s way. She was able to participate in her first book signing since the pandemic began and she and Michael were able to move in to her newly renovated old house. She also kept her promise to continue her Quarantine Cooking videos, rebranded as Love & Best Dishes. And she also brought back her Holiday Cooking & Baking Recipes with Paula Deen series on her YouTube channel for another holiday season.

In what has become something of a tradition here at PaulaDeen.com, we’re celebrating the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 with a look back at the top 10 most popular recipes on the site.

Did your favorite Paula Deen recipe make the top 10 for 2021? Let us know in the comments below!

10. Cheesy Squash Casserole –A newcomer to the list this year, this easy casserole recipe is a favorite around the holidays and during the summer, thanks to an abundance of squash in our gardens. Whether it’s for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just because, you just can’t go wrong with this cheesy & delicious casserole recipe.

2020 ranking: N/A

9. Chicken & Dumplings –Sure it’s fallen a few spots over the past year, but this classic Southern comfort food recipe is still hanging on to its spot on this prestigious list! And since Paula is known for Southern comfort foods, it’s no surprise that her chicken & dumplings recipe is one of her most popular—especially in a year where we could all use a little extra comfort.

2020 ranking: 6

8. The Lady’s Cheesy Mac–Paula’s homemade macaroni & cheese recipe is baked to perfection and is the ultimate Southern side dish to fried chicken, BBQ and burgers. Of course, it’s delicious enough, it can also stand on its own two feet as the main course if you’re in the mood for something decadent.

2020 ranking: 7

7. Corn Casserole–It appears that Corn Casserole overtook Paula’s iconic mac & cheese recipe in the rankings this year! This easy-to-make casserole recipe pairs perfectly with just about any dish we can think of, so it’s really no surprise that it’s increasing in popularity.

2020 ranking: 8

6. Southern Peach Cobbler– This warm & gooey homemade Southern Peach Cobbler recipe may have slipped a few spots, but it certainly hasn’t slipped on flavor! A peach cobbler recipe from a Georgia peach featuring Georgia peaches? You can’t go wrong.

2020 ranking: 3

5. Original Gooey Butter Cake– While many iterations have been created over the years, Paula’s original recipe surpasses them all in terms of popularity, coming in fifth on the list of most popular recipes of 2021 on PaulaDeen.com.

2020 ranking: 4

4. Old-Fashioned Meatloaf, AKA, Basic Meatloaf – In another year full of change, it’s only natural to want a taste of something familiar, and it doesn’t get much more familiar than our #5 most popular recipe—a classic meatloaf recipe. Most of us have been eating it since we were kids, and it’s still just as good today as it was back then.

2020 ranking: 5

3. Southern Biscuits– Year after year, this recipe is always near the top of the list. Whether you like your biscuits slathered in butter, jam, honey, or anything else, one thing is clear—you just really like biscuits—Paula’s Southern Biscuit recipe that is.

2020 ranking: 2

2. Broccoli Casserole– Talk about a comeback, folks! This easy broccoli casserole recipe hasn’t held a spot in the top 10 since 2016 when it ranked #7. Well, in 2021, it looks like you’ve heard it’s pleas and helped skyrocket it to the #2 position, upsetting one of the most popular recipes of all-time on PaulaDeen.com—Paula’s Southern Biscuit recipe!

2020 ranking: N/A

1. Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding– And our reigning champ for the third straight year, this decadent banana pudding dessert recipe is a must-try for potlucks, picnics, cookouts, and holiday get-togethers! It’s the perfect easy dessert recipe for anyone with a sweet tooth.

2020 ranking: 1

See past years’ lists here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015