26 recipes that will have you cooking like a true Midwesterner
- 1/25
Cincinnati Chili
bhofack2 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 2/25
Coney Dog
LauriPatterson/E+ via Getty Images Plus - 3/25
Classic Beef Meatloaf
Courtesy of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner - 4/25
Beer-cooked Bratwursts
Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling - 5/25
Crispy Sauerkraut-Ham Fritters
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/Food styling - 6/25
Potato Cheese Pierogi
bhofack2 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 7/25
Grandma's Sloppy Joes
Jacqui Wedewer/The Daily Meal - 8/25
Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
DarcyMaulsby / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 9/25
Cheddar Bacon Cheese Ball
LauriPatterson / E+ via Getty Images Plus - 10/25
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
bhofack2 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 11/25
Broccoli Casserole
JohnHancockPhoto/Shutterstock - 12/25
Fried Mush
ejwhite / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 13/25
Twice-Baked Potatoes
bhofack2 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 14/25
Swedish Meatballs
Jacqui Wedewer/The Daily Meal - 15/25
Taco Tater-Topped Hotdish
Courtesy of McCormick - 16/25
Sweet Corn, Green Chile and Cheddar Pudding
Kristen Mendiola for The Daily Meal; Shannon Kinsella/food styling - 17/25
Brandy Slush
Kristen Mendiola / The Daily Meal; Shannon Kinsella / food styling - 18/25
Buckeyes
Courtesy of Ready Set Eat - 19/25
Gooey Butter Cake
bhofack2 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 20/25
Homemade Muddy Buddies
© Bhofack2 | Dreamstime.com - 21/25
Easy Sugar Cream Pie
Courtesy of Averie Cooks - 22/25
Frozen Strawberry Custard
GMVozd/E+ via Getty Images Plus - 23/25
Air Fryer Polish Pączki
Jacqui Wedewer/The Daily Meal - 24/25
Kolaches
Dar1930 / iStock / Getty Images Plus - 25/25
Chocolate Cherry Fudge
Courtesy of Imperial Sugar
When you think of dishes you can only find in the Midwest, a few things come to mind. Cheese, casseroles and other convenience dishes may seem like the cuisine of the region but from Ohio to Nebraska, you’ll find so much more.
You see, the idea that America is a salad bowl of different cultures and countries doesn’t apply only to the coasts. Many Europeans settled in the Midwest in the 19th and 20th centuries, bringing their food with them. Dishes like pierogies, kolaches, sauerkraut and Swedish meatballs may not be common in every restaurant in New York or L.A., but you sure as heck can find them all across the Midwest.
If you want to cook like a Midwesterner, stock up on your ground beef, pastry dough and spices — and yes, cheese — and learn to make these delicious regional recipes.