21 Midwest-Inspired Recipes

By Jennifer A. • May 28, 2024

Looking for recipes that just scream Midwest? Look no further! These 21 Midwest-Inspired Recipes are sure to please and will shout from the barn tops that they are loud and proud to be Midwest-inspired. From creamy cheese to savory dressings and sauces — the Midwest is full of comfort food to enjoy!

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#1. Tater Tot Casserole

In the Midwest (particularly Minnesota), Tater Tot Casserole is also known by the colloquial name of "hotdish." It's basically a beef, corn, and cheese casserole topped with tater tots for a dish that's big on nostalgic comfort. What's great is that you can easily share this comfort with others who might need it as the Tater Tot Casserole freezes and reheats well. Share a big scoop of warmth with a loved one in need.

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#2. Midwest Brown Sugar Meatloaf

Midwest Brown Sugar Meatloaf is the quintessential meatloaf, the one you picture when you hear the word "meatloaf." The interior is wonderfully beefy and savory, flavored with onion soup seasonings and cooked until tender. On the outside, a coating of the sweet, tangy, brown sugar glaze that gives this meatloaf its name. From the heartland to the shore, everyone wants a slice of Midwest Brown Sugar Meatloaf!

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#3. Wisconsin Brats

Every cookout has its staples: burgers, potato salad, chopped salad, and of course, hot dogs. But head over to the Upper Midwest and you'll find that the average hot dog pales in comparison to their sausage selection! Wisconsin Brats simmer the deeply seasoned pork bundles in a sweet, rich, and malty beer mixture before grilling them to juicy, savory perfection. They're even served with onions simmered in the same butter-beer mixture for extra delight. Juicy, savory, and infused with Midwest magic, Wisconsin Brats elevate barbeques and cookouts with their boldness and spice. Those Wisconsinites know how to grill up a treat!

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#4. You Betcha Bake

The warmth and hospitality of the Upper Midwest are legendary around the world, and no dish truly captures that feeling more than the You Betcha Bake. This is a classic mixture of garden-fresh broccoli, savory chicken, and melty, creamy cheese, all in a tangy yogurt sauce. Can't you feel the love radiating off each generous portion piled high on your plate? You betcha! You Betcha Bake will have you feeling right as rain in a jiff and will get you smiling big for a long while after.

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#5. Buckeye Brownies

You've obviously heard of a fudgy brownie and you're probably familiar with the peanut buttery, Midwestern treat called buckeyes. Well, we decided to get crazy one day and thought it'd be a pretty amazing idea to put those lovely, sweet treats together. And just like that, these Buckeye Brownies were born. So, if you're looking for the absolute perfect ratio of creamy peanut butter poured on top of rich, chocolatey brownies, then you'll be as flabbergasted by these Buckeye Brownies as we are!

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#6. Midwest's Best Hot Bake

Many dishes pretty much scream where they originate from. This one shouts from the barn rooftops of its robust, slightly twangy, salt-of-the-earth, four-seasoned region. Say you're from the Midwest without saying you're from the Midwest with this Midwest's Best Hot Bake. This down-home favorite works as hard as a tornado on a sunny spring day. It's loaded up with toasted tater tots, topped with a hill of seasoned, farm-raised ground beef, with a flat plain of crispy fried onions, and surrounded by a caring community of perfectly seasoned sauce that always lends a helping hand to your tastebuds. Don't be "Midwest nice" and hide your true feelings or apologize for how much you love Midwest's Best Hot Bake. Because you betcha we understand. Seconds, anyone? Come back now anytime, ya hear!

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#7. Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

While the name tetrazzini may sound Italian, Easy Chicken Tetrazzini leans more Midwestern with sour cream and cream of chicken soup as two of the key ingredients. Whatever its origins, this easy dish is sure to please. Warm and comforting, chicken tetrazzini is sure to be a dinnertime staple in your household.

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#8. Midwest Salisbury Steak

Even the name Midwest Salisbury Steak sounds so scrumptious it causes people to salivate! Fork tender and infused with deeply meaty and sweet onion flavors, the ground sirloin amazes all on its own. When slathered with a rich, savory mushroom sauce to accent and amplify its beef flavors, you go past irresistible; you’ll have to stop yourself from licking the plate after finishing your Midwest Salisbury Steak.

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#9. STL Slinger

The STL Slinger is one of the great late-night meals from the Midwest: a tower of flavor starting from the crispy, crunchy hashbrowns, building up with juicy, savory burgers with a melty cheese topping, and going even further with spicy, hearty chili. But that's not all! What indulgent dish would be complete without a fried egg topping? It's a breakfast-for-dinner touch that makes the STL Slinger an extra-gratifying dish whenever you crave something truly filling. And it's ready in half an hour! What more could anyone need?

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#10. The Exclusive St. Paul Sandwich

The Exclusive St. Paul Sandwich might be one of the more unusual yet delicious examples of fusion cuisines ever! This dish was born from Chinese restaurants in the Midwest looking for a sandwich that would delight their customers; the name even comes from St. Paul, Minnesota. In between two slices of classic white bread is an egg foo young patty loaded with crunchy bean sprouts, savory green onions, and juicy chicken. Sour and tangy pickle chips, bright tomato, and crisp lettuce fill out the rest of the scrumptious sandwich. Once you try The Exclusive St. Paul Sandwich, you'll be having it for lunch exclusively!

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#11. Iowa Soup

A trip to the Midwest would not be complete without a down-home kind of soup. Iowa Soup is a hearty addition and comfort food at its finest; shredded savory chicken, mixed crisp veggies, tender potatoes, and so, so much melty cheese, all deliciously combined in a pretty downright tasty bowl. Almost like a chicken pot pie without the pie, Iowa Soup is farm-fresh with great taste!

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#12. Potluck Tuna Noodle Casserole

What are you gonna bring to the big shebang? We believe going with a classic is always a solid choice. Potluck Tuna Noodle Casserole is always our first pick when prepping for a crowd! Not only is it filled with those familiar creamy, cheesy, tuna flavors that everyone loves, but it can serve a decent amount, which makes it the perfect pick! They're all going to be so excited about this Potluck Tuna Noodle Casserole because everyone loves a classic!

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#13. Creamiest Mushroom Chicken Casserole

Oh yeah, this is it! Creamiest Mushroom Chicken Casserole is what you have been searching for. Nothing beats shredded chicken soaked up in the most delicious, creamy sauce. There are also a couple kinds of mushrooms and a bit of onion for variety and flavor. If you're hungry for some serious yumminess, the Creamiest Mushroom Chicken Casserole will be calling!

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#14. Green Bay Breakfast Casserole

The Green Bay Packers® have won the most league championships of any team in the NFL

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#15. Illinois Corn Casserole

Chicago might be what everyone knows about Illinois, but the inland Empire State also has some fabulous cooking to make it stand out in the U.S. of A! Take the Illinois Corn Casserole for instance: a unique spin on classic creamed corn that is sure to make your eyes pop and your tastebuds holler! The filling is rich and summery with natural corn sweetness. It has tender pieces of bread and savory onions to up the heartiness. Then it's covered in a buttery, crunchy cereal crust that brings the noise and the joy! Illinois Corn Casserole does the Land of Lincoln proud, and it will do the same for everyone at your table!

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#16. Minnesota Hotdish

A Minnesota Hotdish can be anything so long as it features cream of mushroom soup and vegetables. Other than that, the dish is up to the maker. For this Minnesota Hotdish, we went with a more classic route of a crispy tater tot crust, complete with melted cheese and a beefy filling, and of course, a mushroom soup sauce. So, this dish has all the warmth and heartiness Minnesota can provide in its wonderful kitchens! Dig in and let the cold roll off of you!

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#17. Omaha's Reuben Bake

The Gateway to the West delivers a casserole with some delicatessen charm to it! Omaha's Reuben Bake layers all of the fixin's for a classic Reuben sandwich... the delightfully flavorful rye bread, the savory and salty pastrami, the tangy sauerkraut and pickles, and the melty Swiss cheese. It even adds caraway seeds for the full authentic flavor! Nebraskans and Americans all over will find something to love about Omaha's Reuben Bake.

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#18. Kansas City BBQ Ribs

Save yourself a plane ride! This recipe for Kansas City BBQ Ribs brings the delicious flavors of KC right into your home. This meaty dish is packed with flavors like paprika, chili, garlic, barbecue, and honey for ribs like you’ve never had before. Once you try these tender Kansas City BBQ Ribs, you’ll never want to eat ribs any other way!

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#19. Michigan's Fantasy Fudge

If you're feeling nostalgic for your childhood trips to a certain island that sits in Lake Huron near the Great Lakes State, well you're in for a special treat. Michigan's Fantasy Fudge is a pretty close replica of the sweet, rich, chocolatey fudge you might have once snacked on while strolling through that quaint and charming small town. Whether you're celebrating a holiday or just craving the sweetness of old times, Michigan's Fantasy Fudge is sure to delight. Mmm, there's really nothing better!

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#20. Stuffed Iowa Chops

You've never had pork chops quite like these! Stuffed Iowa Chops are famous throughout their home state and the nation for being truly delicious: the tender cooked pork is filled with a rich stuffing of breadcrumbs, apples, corn, and seasonings. Stuffed Iowa Chops literally burst with flavor, especially with their crispy golden jacket. Serving these with a dessert of white chocolate popcorn for the full Iowan experience!

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#21. Iowa Ham Balls

The Hawkeye State has a love of pork that extends even to their meatballs, and the tasty result is a ball of a time! Iowa Ham Balls combine ham and pork together for maximum savory flavor (with just a hint of onion) before baking them in a tangy, sweet, and sour sauce that resembles a homemade barbeque. One trip in the oven later and you have tender spheres of meaty flavor in a deep, sparkling glaze ready to adorn mounds of rice or egg noodles. Iowa Ham Balls are livening up the dinner table, whether you live in Iowa or not!

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