© Shutterstock

Broccoli chicken casserole -

A quintessential Midwestern comfort dish that brings together broccoli, chicken, and a creamy cheese sauce. For best results, bake until the cheese and breadcrumb topping is golden.

© Shutterstock

Fruit kuchens -

Celebrating the German heritage of the Midwest, these fruit-topped cakes are a sweet treat. Ripe, flavorful fruits create a balance between the sweet dough and the tartness of the fruit.

© Shutterstock

Breaded pork tenderloin -

A crispy, savory favorite, showcasing the Midwest's love for hearty meats. The key to perfection is evenly tenderizing the pork and achieving a golden, crunchy breading.

© Shutterstock

State fair cream puffs -

A beloved treat from the Wisconsin State Fair, known for its light, airy pastry and sweet cream filling. The trick is in mastering the choux pastry, ensuring it's cooked until it pulls cleanly from the sides of the pan.

© Shutterstock

Meat loaf with oatmeal -

A comforting blend of ground meat, seasonings, and oatmeal, resulting in a moist, flavorful loaf. Soaking the oatmeal in milk beforehand ensures a tender, moist meatloaf.

© Shutterstock

Indiana-style corn dogs -

A fairground classic, these corn dogs feature a thick cornmeal batter around a juicy hot dog. Drying the hot dogs completely before battering ensures the coating sticks and fries up perfectly.

© Shutterstock

Chicken wild rice casserole -

This casserole combines tender chicken and nutty wild rice in a creamy sauce. The key is cooking the wild rice to the right texture—tender yet firm.

© Shutterstock

Crunchy-coated walleye -

Highlighting the Midwest's love for freshwater fish, this dish has a crispy outer coating. Use potato flakes for a golden crust and fry at the right temperature for crispy perfection.

© Shutterstock

Easy cornish pasties -

A nod to the British influence, these handheld pies are filled with meat and vegetables. For a successful pasty, the pastry should be flaky and the filling generous and flavorful.

© Shutterstock

Basil grilled corn on the cob -

A summer favorite, corn on the cob is elevated with basil butter. Soaking the corn before grilling keeps it moist, and liberal application of basil butter adds a flavorful twist.

© Shutterstock

Old-time custard ice cream -

Summertime in the Midwest wouldn't be complete without homemade ice cream. The secret to its creamy texture is cooking the custard base slowly to avoid scrambling the eggs, resulting in a smooth, rich ice cream.

© Shutterstock

Swedish meatballs -

These meatballs, often served at family gatherings, combine beef and pork for tenderness and flavor. Browning the meatballs before simmering in gravy is crucial for developing a rich flavor and perfect texture.

© Shutterstock

Sharp cheddar scalloped potatoes -

A cheesy, comforting side dish that pairs well with any meal. It involves thinly slicing the potatoes for even cooking and layering them with generous amounts of cream and sharp cheddar for a deep, rich flavor.

© Shutterstock

Homemade pierogi -

These Eastern European dumplings are filled with a variety of ingredients, from potatoes to cheese. Achieving a tender, yet firm dough that doesn't tear when boiled is essential for perfect pierogi.

© Shutterstock

Gooey butter cookies -

Originating from St. Louis, these cookies transform the gooey butter cake into bite-sized treats. The trick is to not overbake them, ensuring they remain soft and gooey in the center.

© Shutterstock

Chicago-style beef rolls -

These hearty sandwiches are a nod to Chicago's robust culinary scene, featuring thinly sliced beef in a savory jus. The success lies in the seasoning of the beef and the softness of the rolls, absorbing the flavorful jus without falling apart.

© Shutterstock

Sauerkraut hot dish -

A dish that combines the tanginess of sauerkraut with the richness of meat and potatoes. Balancing the sourness of the sauerkraut with the creaminess of the sauce is key to a harmonious dish.

© Shutterstock

Midwestern meat pies -

Reflecting the region's love for hearty, comforting foods, these meat pies are a meal in themselves. The secret is in the crust—flaky and golden, filled with a savory mixture of meat and vegetables.

© Shutterstock

Grilled beer brats with sauerkraut -

A staple at Midwestern barbecues, the beer-infused bratwursts are best when grilled to perfection. Simmering the brats in beer before grilling adds depth of flavor, while a topping of sauerkraut offers a crunchy, tangy contrast.

© Shutterstock

Sugar cream pie -

Known as Indiana's state pie, this simple yet decadent dessert highlights the beauty of simplicity. The creamy filling, made with vanilla, cream, and sugar, requires slow baking to achieve a smooth, custard-like consistency without curdling.

© Shutterstock

Homemade Cincinnati chili -

A unique blend of Mediterranean spices distinguishes this chili served over spaghetti. The key to its depth of flavor lies in simmering the spices with the meat, allowing the chocolate to subtly enrich the background without overpowering.

© Shutterstock

Tater tot breakfast casserole -

A versatile dish that can transition from breakfast to dinner, combining the beloved tater tot with eggs and cheese. For best results, layer the ingredients to ensure even cooking and a crispy tot topping.

© Shutterstock

Toasted ravioli puffs -

A St. Louis original, these breaded and fried ravioli make the perfect appetizer. Achieving a crispy exterior while ensuring the filling stays warm and gooey is essential for that first delightful bite.

© Shutterstock

Kansas city-style ribs -

These ribs are all about the rub and slow cooking to achieve tender meat that falls off the bone. Applying a dry rub and allowing the ribs to marinate overnight maximizes flavor penetration before they're slow-cooked to perfection.

© Shutterstock

Michigan cherry pie -

Celebrating Michigan's cherry harvest, this pie pairs tart cherries with a sweet filling and flaky crust. Using fresh cherries and a lattice crust allows steam to escape, preventing the filling from becoming too runny.

© Shutterstock

Coney Island chili dog -

A classic comfort food, featuring hot dogs topped with chili, cheese, and onions. The chili should be rich and flavorful, simmered until thick enough to cling to the dogs without dripping excessively.

© Shutterstock

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza -

Known for its thick crust and inverted layering of cheese and toppings, the secret to authentic deep-dish pizza is in the crust. It should be buttery and cooked until just crisp on the outside while remaining soft inside.

© Shutterstock

Buckeyes -

These peanut butter and chocolate treats resemble the nuts of the buckeye tree. Achieving the perfect balance of smooth peanut butter filling and a hard chocolate coating makes each bite a delightful contrast of textures.

© Shutterstock

Deep-fried cheese bites -

A guilty pleasure, these bites are a testament to the Midwest's love for cheese. The success of this dish lies in using a beer batter for a light, airy coating that crisps beautifully while sealing in the cheese's melty goodness.

Sources: (Taste of Home)

See also: 30 slow cooker recipes you have to try!

© Shutterstock