Nostalgic Recipes That Stand the Test of Time
These recipes might not go viral on TikTok, but they will surely bring your entire family together. They’re the kind of recipes passed down from mother to daughter, cherished over generations. Here is a list of dishes that, if you grew up eating, you’re one of the greats.
Beans and Cornbread
High in protein and extremely filling, beans and cornbread are the lunch that your grandpa ate before going out for a hard day of work. If you’re looking for a flavourful, hearty meal that will keep you full, this is the recipe for you.
Cheesy Spinach and Rice Casserole
If your kids also refuse to eat anything green, this casserole might be the solution you’ve been looking for. Made with spinach, kale, rice, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, it’s a one-pot meal that can be made in under thirty-five minutes.
Mac And Cheese With Broccoli
Another sneaky way to get past your kids' picky eating habits, adding broccoli to mac and cheese is not just clever, it’s incredibly healthy. You can make it even healthier by pairing it with a source of protein like rotisserie chicken, ground beef, or tofu.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes, butter, buttermilk, and three different types of cheeses come together to make this creamy, delightful dish that is going to satisfy everyone at the dinner table. For more flavour, you can always add pepper, garlic powder, and even some Cajun seasoning to spice it up.
Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
Have leftover mushroom soup, chicken, and rice? Why don’t you give this recipe a try? To make it, all you’ll need to do is combine the aforementioned ingredients with milk, salt, and pepper, top it off with cheddar cheese, and let it bake in the oven.
Steak in Gravy
A classic American dish that can find its roots in the 50s, you can make it at home by cooking seared steaks in classic Southern gravy. It tastes best when it is served with a side of rice or mashed potatoes. Pro tip: Add Worcestershire sauce to gravy to give it a more umami flavour.
‘No-Milk’ Mac and Cheese
Yes, you heard that right, mac and cheese without milk. It exists, it’s a classic, and it’s going to blow your mind. Instead of milk, you get creaminess in this recipe by using cream cheese. It’s perfect for when you have a craving but don’t have any milk lying around.
Cowboy Meatloaf Casserole
The best way to describe this would be a meatloaf casserole with mashed potatoes. Made with ground beef and seasoned with onions, barbecue sauce, and chilli powder, this is your typical American casserole. You can make it healthier by using lean ground beef.
Meatball Casserole
Tired of the good ol’ spaghetti and meatballs? Why not turn it into a casserole? An amalgamation of classic Italian flavors, this dish can be made using marinara sauce, ground beef, Italian sausages, mozzarella, and parmesan. An easy, quick dinner recipe that Nonna would be proud of.
Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank and Potatoes
If you want to eat something that feels like a warm hug, this is the perfect dish for you. It might take some time and effort to perfect, but when you feel that first bite of melt-in-mouth goodness, there is no going back.
Chicken Pot Pie
Who else remembers eating this after Sunday’s church service? Creamy, herby, and delicious, this has been a staple in American cookbooks since the 50s. Made by cooking shredded chicken and veggies in a creamy, buttery sauce, there really isn’t anything quite like a good chicken pot pie.
Creamy Meatball Stew
Another twist on the classic meatballs, this one’s a one-pot stew made using meatballs (duh), parmesan cheese, beef broth, butter, flour, gravy mix, cream, potatoes, and peas. To make the process even easier, you can use frozen meatballs instead of starting from scratch.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ok, if you remember your mom hosting a Tupperware party, this was probably the dish she made for it. A one-pot stop for a complete, nutritious meal, this casserole can be made using shredded tuna, veggie stock, cheese, peas, chives, and of course, any pasta of your choice.
Funeral Potatoes
A recipe that was developed in Utah’s prominent LDS community, it’s about time they spread to the rest of the US. Think of it like mashed potatoes but crispier. They basically use all the same ingredients as mashed potatoes, but add vegetable broth and corn flakes for a firmer texture.
Brussels Sprouts Casserole
Now, it’s true that not everyone’s a big fan of Brussels Sprouts. But they are somewhat of a superfood, and this casserole has made them palatable to most Americans. You can make this vegetarian casserole by baking the sprouts in a bechamel sauce and topping it with cheddar cheese.
Swiss Steak in Gravy
If you’ve never had Swiss Steak, here’s your sign to get your hands on some. Also called cube steaks, these are easy to make in just one pan on a stove-top. They can be paired perfectly with a well-seasoned, tomato-infused gravy for a filling, tasty dinner.
Pot Roast
This one’s not a quick recipe, but it’s an American classic. If you grew up in the 50s, 60s, or 70s, your mom probably made this at least once a week (usually on weekends). Made by slow-cooking beef in a tomato, onion, and garlic gravy, nothing else comes close to the flavours of a Pot Roast.
Bomb Meatloaf
There are few things as quintessentially American as meatloaf (other than apple pie, of course). Made by essentially shaping ground beef into a bread loaf, this recipe calls for using rolled oats instead of bread crumbs, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
Cowboy Casserole
Another classic American casserole, this uses ground beef and tater tots to make a one-pot meal that is guaranteed to satisfy the whole family. Give the dish some heft by adding corn, onions, and bell peppers, and season with garlic, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning to complete it.
Broccoli and Mushroom Casserole
Another casserole to make another widely disliked vegetable palatable, this broccoli casserole uses cheese, sour cream, and mushroom soup to give you a delicious, vegetarian meal. To pump up the flavours, you can use mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and paprika as the primary seasonings.
Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese is an American staple, and his version of it was one that most of us made (by ourselves) growing up. While the classic baked mac n cheese needed the time and attention only a mother could give, this stovetop version was the afterschool snack for millions.
Cheesey Meatloaf
The main difference between this and the (previously mentioned) classic American meatloaf is the cheese filling in the centre. And the best part is that it’s not even that difficult to make. Shape your loaf around a central layer of cheddar cheese, and as it melts in the oven, you get a gooey, delicious centre that’ll leave you wanting more.
Baked Mac and Cheese
While the stovetop version is a kid-friendly deal, this version requires a little more patience, time, and skill, but ultimately, it’s as (or even more) worth it. There is no problem that the crispy edge of the corner piece of a baked mac and cheese can’t solve.
Crispy Beer Battered Fish
If the English have Fish n' Chips, we have these classic beer-battered fish. The aquatic cousin of the fried chicken, a wild-caught cod tastes great when it’s battered in a coating of beer and all-purpose flour.
Shepherd's Pie
Although not originally from these United States, there is no denying that Shepherd’s Pie is an American classic, thanks in small part to the housewives from the 1950s on who’ve made it part of the childhoods across generations. Although originally made with lamb, most American households have subbed it for ground beef, improving the texture.
