If you think about Dolly Parton, you would probably visualize the dazzlingly brilliant glittering skirt she wears onstage, her majestic powerhouse voice, and timeless hits like “Jolene” or “9 to 5”. This diva has been the very epitome of heart, wit, and hard work for decades-a legend with too many awards, Grammys included, and a rightful place in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Beyond the glam, glitter, and rhinestones is the other equally captivating side: her earthy love for Southern home cooking. Alongside her legendary status in music, Dolly actually is the real ambassador for warmth, hospitality, and soul food.
To Dolly, food above everything else is a way of telling a story.
The soul of that thought is embodied in “Dolly’s Dixie Fixins: Love, Laughter and Lots of Good Food”-a cookbook that marries simple ingredients with old-time sentiment. Dolly has long argued that her favorite recipes are all steeped in Southern tradition: cornbread, mashed potatoes, and chicken and dumplings-all sustaining goodies that bring up memories of family, laughter, and love. To that end, Dolly has shared a collection of her kitchen-related treasures; one recipe in particular is currently making the rounds on the internet-a potato casserole claiming to reveal the secrets to the most delicious potatoes you have ever tasted. Whether authentic or not, this legend and the recipe have found their way into the hearts, and stomachs, of home cooks everywhere.
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For boiling sweet potatoes
- 1 Potato Masher Or fork for mashing
- 1 2-Quart Baking Dish Oven-safe
- 2 Mixing Bowls One large, one medium
- 1 Whisk Or fork for combining ingredients
Ingredients
Main
- 1/2 stick 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for buttering the baking dish
- 3 to 4 large sweet potatoes about 1 3/4 pounds, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 stick 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- For the sweet potatoes: Add 1 3/4 pounds peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cool. Mash the sweet potatoes.
- For the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish.
- Whisk together the butter, mashed sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and eggs in a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium bowl until moist and the mixture clumps together. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the sweet potatoes in an even layer. Bake until mostly set in the center and golden on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
1. The Viral Whisper: Dolly’s Rumored Potato Casserole
An occasional stir about a recipe is overtaken by fire-the fire that is pure country gold. Generally, the rumour mill ran wild with interest in and around a rich, indulgent five-layer potato casserole that spread like wildfire owing to a diabolical mix of simplicity and taste. Think about thinly sliced potatoes layered with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and cheese-heavy comfort food fit to grace the titles of any Southern kitchen. But then here comes the finesse: this casserole takes rather unfair advantage of the way to make normal potatoes into stars.
The special thing about this viral casserole is:
- Potatoes, beef, onions, tomatoes, and cheese layered.
- Comfort food in Southern style, super simple in the making.
- Soaking in saltwater gives it a crisp edge and soft center.
- Transformed texture for a perfect bite and structure.
- Robust flavor with easy and inexpensive preparation.
What are the odds this emanates from Dolly’s creative kitchen? Cooking experts are saying that therein lies the magic little twist: soaking the potatoes in salt water before baking. This may sound bizarre, but it is that bizarre. This brine, before baking, gives the potatoes a kind of desperate flavoring that acts to completely alter their texture. The soaking pulls out surface starch as well as excess moisture, ensuring that every slice not only is tender within but also holds its shape throughout baking. This method is more forgiving for the overall cohesion of the casserole, contrasting crunchy edges with soft centers. Like Dolly’s music, it would be simple, soulful, and a lot of fun.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Equipment
- 1 2-Quart Baking Dish
- 1 Saucepan Medium-sized
- 1 Chef’s knife For prepping ingredients
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Whisk For smooth sauce
Ingredients
Main
- 4 cups peeled and sliced potatoes
- 2 cups diced ham
- ½ onion chopped
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ pound Cheddar cheese diced
- 1 pinch paprika or to taste
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Layer 1/2 of the potatoes, 1/2 of the ham, and 1/2 of the onions in a 2-quart baking dish; repeat layers. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Cook milk, peas, flour, butter, parsley, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, 7 to 10 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Stir Cheddar cheese into sauce until melted. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Pour sauce over potato and ham mixture; sprinkle with paprika. Cover with aluminum foil. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are tender, about 1 hour. Remove foil and continue baking until lightly browned, about 15 minutes more. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Notes
2. The Science Behind Saltwater Soaking
The beauty of this saltwater soak lies in its deceptively simple appearance. It very well could have just been another step that should have been carried out for prep, but that would be limiting the genius of this procedure. A brine gives surface starch and saltiness to the potatoes without aggressiveness. It contributes to the structure of the potatoes and provides the seasoning from the inside out, preventing the potatoes from breaking down in moisture from the rest of the casserole. When potatoes sit in saltwater, the brine gently extracts surface starch and subtly seasons the flesh. This allows the potatoes to maintain better structure in the bake, so they won’t become muddy when surrounded by moisture-rich ingredients like tomatoes or onions. The result? Distinct layers, creamy bites, perfectly textured every time.
Here is how soaking in saltwater works some wonders:
- Removes excess starch and moisture.
- Helps with structure and resists sogginess.
- Enhances oil and butter absorption.
- Primarily responsible for inner-side seasoning.
- Crisp edge and tender center retained.
- Flavoured de-layering crosscut through potato.
In the casserole, the soak also works on another level to enhance flavor. As the potatoes release moisture, they are charged to receive back all the richness of butter and any other fat when baking. That means every single layer is then laden with savory depth-not just being an afterthought sitting underneath the ground meat and cheese. This little secret transforms a homey recipe into something feeling infinitely upscale. Just like Dolly pours her heart and soul into every note of her song, this little secret too transforms an otherwise pedestrian recipe into an unforgettable experience.
Thanksgiving Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch Baking Dish
- 1 Mixing Spoon or Spatula
- 1 Small Microwave Safe Bowl For melting butter
- 1 Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
Main
- 2 14 ounce bags frozen broccoli florets, thawed
- 1 ½ 10.5 ounce cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, divided
- 2 pounds processed cheese food such as Velveeta ®, sliced
- 2 sleeves buttery round crackers such as Ritz®, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place broccoli into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Drizzle 1 tablespoon melted butter over top, then add condensed soup. Stir until broccoli is coated with soup. Pack lightly to form a flat surface. Layer 1/2 of the cheese slices over broccoli mixture; set remaining cheese aside.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbling, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and stir to blend melted cheese into the broccoli mixture. Layer with remaining cheese slices, sprinkle with crackers, and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter.
- Return to the oven and bake until cheese on top begins to melt, about 15 minutes.
- Let casserole sit before serving until it thickens slightly, about 15 minutes.
Notes
3. Southern Kitchen Wisdom: Lessons from the Parton Family
Such down-to-earth wisdom would naturally come from the Parton tribe. Dolly says she shared much of the family’s handy kitchen wisdom-life lessons on how to really cook come in handy. One stands out given to her by sister Rachel Parton George: “When baking potatoes, they must be perfectly dry after washing and right on the rack in the oven.” This extra little tip guarantees the skin turns out crisp and golden and not soft and steamed. Very claim to fame shows how easily it could take even a simple recipe to the next level.
Unchanging southern wisdom from Dolly’s family:
- Always drying your potato before baking for crispy skin.
- Forget about the foil put down to let uniform heat circulation so they are crispy.
- Layer your ingredients thoughtfully for the best result.
- Stick to simple methods passed from one generation to another.
- Have patience, and balance every single dish.
- Cook with love and intention.
This philosophy mirrors the Southern approach to cooking thoughtful, resourceful, and filled with love. Every detail counts, whether it’s drying a potato before baking or layering ingredients in just the right order. Rachel’s baked potato tip also echoes what many professional cooks, like editors at The Kitchn, have confirmed: skip the foil if you want true crispiness. When the skin is exposed directly to dry heat, you get that signature crunch that makes a baked potato worth every bite. From the Parton kitchen to ours, it’s clear that the best flavor often comes from honoring the basics.
Egg and Sausage Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch Baking Dish
- 1 Large, deep skillet
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula For cooking and crumbling sausage
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 8 eggs beaten
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 8 ounce package refrigerated crescent roll dough
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook sausage in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, until evenly browned, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain and crumble into small pieces.
- Mix beaten eggs, mozzarella, Cheddar, and oregano together in a large bowl.
- Line the bottom of the prepared baking dish with crescent roll dough, then sprinkle crumbled sausage over top. Pour egg mixture over sausage.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
Notes
4. Dolly’s Five-Ingredient Casserole: Condemnation Meets Elation
Besides the very viral “saltwater” version, Dolly is also well-known for her easy five-ingredient casserole, which has timeless appeal. It’s built on nothing but ground beef, onions, diced tomatoes, green bell peppers, and russet potatoes. This uncomplicated dish wowed the crowd in the end with a depth of flavor unmatched by any other and concluded with a sonorous, hearty finish.
The Magic behind Dolly’s Five Ingredients:
- Ground beef provides richness and heartiness
- Sweet in the mouth and balanced by onions
- Moist and tangy with tomatoes
- Freshness and color from bell peppers
- Ties everything in russet potatoes
The secret of magic behind this casserole lies in the layering. The base is thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned with savory beef, followed by onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Each layer receives a light touch of salt and pepper, allowing the flavors to mingle wonderfully as it bubbles away. When covered with foil, the dish gently steams before the layering melds into one scrumptious bite. And just like Dolly’s music, this recipe leaves room for creativity such as adding cheese for richness, swapping out the peppers for variety, or adding a touch of jolt from jalapeños. It is just as versatile, homely, and built to share as it should be Southern cooking.
Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 9×13 inch Baking Dish Or equivalent casserole dish
- 1 Rubber Spatula or Whisk For mixing ingredients
- 1 Measuring Cups For cheese and general measurements
- 1 Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl For melting butter
Ingredients
Main
- 14.75 oz. creamed corn
- 15.25 oz. whole kernel sweet corn drained
- 8 oz. Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 8 oz. sour cream
- ½ stick butter melted
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is adequately heated for even baking.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similar-sized casserole dish) to prevent sticking.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Thoroughly drain the whole kernel sweet corn to remove excess liquid.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamed corn, drained whole kernel corn, Jiffy corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter.
- Mix the ingredients until they are just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, distributing it evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour the prepared corn mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to firm up.
Notes
5. A Tater Tot Twist: An All-time Classic for the Crowd
Of course, that’s not the only winter comfort dish Dolly had stored in her sleeve. A great favorite among her fans is, her easy five-ingredient tater tot casserole a fun twist on the original that is just as cozy. It’s pretty simple but has irresistibly good ideas: ground beef (or for some turkey, if they prefer), condensed mushroom soup, corn, cheddar cheese, and piled high a crisp, golden layer of crunchy tater tots. Each on their own contributes something significant-the richness came from the meat and the creamy mushroom soup; the sweetness comes through the corn, and the crunch comes from the tots-and the overall effect is that of an amazing explosion of textures in flavor.
What Makes the Tater Tot Casserole a Hit:
- The tangy, cheesy, and crispy textures must meet.
- Simple für den Haushalt.
- Quick preparation with short preparation time.
- Customize with turkey, beef, or veggies.
Golden, bubbling comfort meal. This is for gatherings, holidays, or weeknights. The simplest way of doing things. Cook the meat, mix with soup and corn, then layer in a baking dish. Top it off with a sprinkling of cheese for that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth comfort and the crunchiness of tater tots on top. Once baked into golden perfection, the casserole transforms into a kind of dish that everyone lingers at the table over. Top is garnished with green onion or parsley for final touches to make it pop, and voila-it’s a Sunday dinner or holiday-worthy crowd-pleaser.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch Casserole Dish For baking the casserole.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients.
- 1 Rubber Spatula or Mixing Spoon For thorough mixing and transferring the mixture.
- 1 Whisk For beating the egg and initial mixing.
- 1 Measuring Set For accurate ingredient measurements.
Ingredients
Main
- cooking spray
- 1 30 ounce package frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 2 ½ cups shredded Colby cheese divided
- 1 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 8 ounces sour cream
- ⅔ cup finely chopped onion
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg beaten
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- chopped parsley for garnish Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Drain defrosted hash browns well. Combine drained hash browns, 2 cups Colby cheese, soup, sour cream, onion, butter, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Spoon the mixture into the casserole dish, and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and starts to brown, 45 to 55 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
6. Sweet Notes from Dolly’s Kitchen
Sweetening with Heart Little does one guess that the delicious casserole is not the end of Dolly’s kitchen. Desserts also carry the same warmth and storytelling magic that characterizes her music. One of the most requested by her disciples is the Banana Pudding Layer Cake among her sweetest creations; a lovely kind of dessert evoking nostalgia and self-indulgence with every mouthful. The banana flavor brings together cakes with pudding, sliced bananas, vanilla wafers, and clouds of whipped cream-the very image of Southern comfort enveloped in dessert.
Why Dolly’s desserts feel special:
- Fusion of familiar tastes into sentimental warmth
- Simple ingredients arrange as colorful layering
- Nostalgia by texture and taste
- Encourage patience and joy creating and a little creativity in baking
- Transcends everyday goodies into tradition through generation
- The reflection of “food is love” carried by Dolly
The process would mirror Dolly’s way through life patient, joyful, and full of heart. Just as every song tells its own story, every layer also has a tale: rooted in hominess, built with care, and made purposely to elicit smiles. Be it bubbling casserole or creamy cake, there is always love, laughter, and a little sparkle in Dolly’s kitchen.
7. Conclusion: The Spirit of Southern Comfort
Naked all of it is the same as that warm, honest, and deeply connected part of her character defining her as an artist. From the saltwater potato hack all the way to some of her most iconic casseroles and comforting desserts, each has been endowed with the spirit of Southern grace and creativity inherent to each dish.
The Heart of Dolly’s Cooking Philosophy:
- Simplicity celebrating soulful flavor
- Designed to share and connect
- Family comfort food traditions
- Joyous, authentic, and unapologetically Southern
- Made always with love-the most important ingredient
Whether it’s soaking potatoes or layering tater tots, Dolly has proved that:”the best food isn’t fancy-it’s heartfelt”. Every dish is a story, and every bite a melody. Because in her kitchen, just like on her stage, everything shines a little brighter with a dash of soul and a whole lot of love.
