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If there was ever a woman who understood that good food is about more than what’s on the plate, it was Dolly Parton.
So we’re celebrating Dolly the way we know best — with food.
From her famous love of potatoes to biscuits, barbecue and her beloved banana pudding, these are our recipes inspired by the Southern foods Dolly loved, cooked and grew up eating.
And anyone who said she’d never met a spud she didn’t like will always have a special place in our hearts.
These are our Oh Sweet Basil recipes inspired by Dolly’s favorite foods and Southern food traditions, not Dolly’s personal recipes.
Table of Contents
Dolly Parton’s Favorite Food: Potatoes
We have to start with potatoes because Dolly made her feelings about them VERY clear. Mashed, baked, fried — she loved them all. So naturally, potatoes get their own section.
Creamiest Mashed Potatoes
Rich, buttery and ultra-creamy — exactly how mashed potatoes should be.
Roasted Red Potatoes
Crispy edges, fluffy centers and plenty of savory flavor.
Oven Baked Potatoes
Crispy, salty skin with a perfectly fluffy baked potato center.
Green Beans and Potatoes
Tender potatoes and green beans make this simple Southern side a classic.
Home Fries
Crispy, golden potatoes seasoned to perfection for an easy homestyle side.
Southern Main Dishes Dolly Would Love
Dolly’s Tennessee roots ran deep, including her love of good old-fashioned Southern cooking. These hearty mains fit right in at the center of the table.
Brown Sugar Ham
Juicy baked ham finished with an irresistible sweet and savory brown sugar glaze.
Smoked Ribs
Tender, smoky ribs with the sweet and tangy barbecue flavor Dolly loved.
Carolina Pulled Pork
Fall-apart tender pork loaded with smoky Southern barbecue flavor.
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Tender chicken and vegetables tucked beneath a flaky, golden homemade crust.
Tomato Basil Pie
Juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and plenty of cheese baked in a flaky crust.
Hot Dogs, Dolly Style
Dolly was famously fond of the hot dogs at Frank Allen’s in Sevierville, Tennessee. We may not be able to hand you one from her hometown, but these Oh Sweet Basil hot dogs are a pretty delicious way to join in.
Copycat J. Dawg’s Hot Dogs
A juicy grilled hot dog topped with an addictive sweet and tangy sauce.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Crispy, blistered hot dogs without firing up the grill.
Biscuits, Cornbread & Southern Sides
You can’t talk about Dolly and Southern food without biscuits, cornbread and plenty of sides. These are the recipes we’d pile onto our plates alongside the ham and barbecue.
Jiffy Corn Casserole
Creamy corn, cornbread and cheese combine in this easy Southern side.
Easy Creamed Corn
Sweet corn in a rich, creamy sauce that’s perfect alongside barbecue or ham.
Sweet Cornbread
Soft, buttery cornbread with golden edges and just the right sweetness.
Southern Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy and baked until golden — Southern comfort food at its best.
Sweet Cream Biscuits
Soft, fluffy Southern biscuits made extra tender with heavy cream.
Banana Pudding & Dolly-Inspired Banana Desserts
If potatoes get top billing on the savory side, banana pudding wins dessert. Dolly called banana pudding her favorite dessert, so we’re starting with the classic and adding a few banana desserts that feel right at home beside it.
Banana Pudding
Layers of bananas, creamy pudding and cookies make Dolly’s favorite dessert irresistible.
Banana Cream Pie
Homemade banana cream pie with fresh bananas and silky vanilla custard.
Banana Dulce de Leche Pie
Bananas, dulce de leche and whipped cream piled into one irresistible pie.
Banana Bundt Cake
An ultra-moist, old-fashioned banana cake that’s simple and incredibly delicious.
Southern Pies & Sweet Treats
We’re finishing with the old-fashioned Southern desserts that belong at the end of a big family meal.
Southern Pecan Pie
Sweet, gooey filling and crunchy pecans make this pie a Southern classic.
Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler
Juicy peaches bake beneath a golden topping in this old-fashioned Southern dessert.
Fried Apple Rings
Tender, cinnamon-sweet apples are an easy spin on classic Southern fried apples.
Dolly Parton gave us so much more than music! She gave us stories, laughter, generosity and a reminder to never forget where we came from.
So make the mashed potatoes, bake the biscuits and save room for banana pudding.
Thank you for the music, the sparkle and the reminder that there’s always room at the table for one more. Love you, Dolly!
Dolly Parton’s Favorite Foods
Ingredients
Dolly Parton's Favorite Food: Potatoes
Southern Main Dishes Dolly Would Love
Hot Dogs, Dolly Style
Biscuits, Cornbread & Southern Sides
Banana Pudding & Dolly-Inspired Banana Desserts
Southern Pies & Sweet Treats
Instructions
- Celebrate Dolly with the foods she loved the most! Pick a recipe or two and enjoy!
