14 Old-Fashioned Dinner Recipes Worth Making Again

top-down view of a shallow white bowl of vegetable soup with two saltines on the rim
Photo:

Lela

Some dishes just have a taste of nostalgia. One bite and you're instantly transported to another time, another place, even another decade. Whether it's because your grandmother used to cook it, or it just reminds you of a time from the past, these old-fashioned dinner recipes will give you that comforting feeling in each serving, spoonful, and bite. Take a trip down memory lane—and fill up your belly at the same time—with these 14 timeless old-fashioned recipes.

01 of 14

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Noodles

top-down view of a pot of chicken noodle soup with big pieces of chicken, chopped carrot, rich-looking broth, and egg noodles

Dixie

Toss out your canned chicken noodle and instead serve up this thick and hearty version. For extra flavor, use bone-in chicken for the broth.

02 of 14

Old-Fashioned Potato Cakes

Old Fashioned Potato Cakes
Baking Nana

Leftover mashed potatoes are given a new use in this recipe. The cakes come out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

03 of 14

Old-Fashioned Vegetable Soup

top-down view of a shallow white bowl of vegetable soup with two saltines on the rim

Lela

Use up your crisper drawer's veggies in this simple and satisfying soup. Some reviewers added dry pasta in the last few minutes of cooking to soak up the broth and make the dish even more filling.

04 of 14

Old-Fashioned Mac and Cheese

top-down view of a glass baking dish of macaroni and cheese with browned bits on top

Jay

"I have made this twice in the past week! Very good and don't leave out the Swiss cheese even if you think you don't like Swiss," says Jayelle.

05 of 14

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

closeup side view of a steaming pot of chicken and dumplings with chopped carrots, onion, and celery

Rachelle Guyer Wharton

This Southern favorite can be whipped up in less than an hour, and is sure to be a stick-to-your-ribs meal that everyone will love.

06 of 14

Mama's Old-Fashioned Chili

Old Mama's Fashioned Chili
Rock_lobster

With beef, two types of beans, and plenty of veggies, every bite of this old-fashioned chili will burst with flavor.

07 of 14

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

closeup of a bowl of Old-Fashioned Beef Stew with chunks of potato and carrot, garnished with chopped parsley with the handle of a spoon in the background

mommyluvs2cook

"This is my favorite recipe for beef stew," says reviewer LILACWINE. "It is SO flavorful and since it cooks so long the meat is always very tender."

08 of 14

Old-Fashioned Sicilian Succo

Old Fashioned Sicilian Succo
MOLLE888

Recipe creator Joiamia says, "My Nana used to cook this for me when I was young and as she prepared things and we waited for the sauce to finish, she'd tell me great stories about her life in Sicily and other secret business! This recipe is the best sauce I've ever had — I really think it can bring the family together."

09 of 14

Old-Fashioned Baked Beans

closeup of a ramekin of baked beans

Sheila LaLonde

Whether it's for a cookout, or just to be a side for dinner, these tasty baked beans will impress. Molasses makes for a sweet dish, while the bacon adds a savory note.

10 of 14

Old-Fashioned Ozarks Meatloaf

a freeform-shaped beef and pork meatloaf baked on a sheet pan with baby carrots and potatoes

Hezzy_tant_Cook

The secret ingredient to this meatloaf is the addition of pork sausage. It adds an extra rich texture and plenty of flavor.

11 of 14

Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad

close up view of Macaroni Salad garnished with fresh herbs in a bowl
France C

"Great recipe if you don't like a sweet macaroni salad," says reviewer Aahni. "My husband, who hates the normal sweet macaroni salad, loves this."

12 of 14

Old-Fashioned Onion Soup

closeup side view of a bowl of onion soup garnished with a spoonful of sour cream

Melissa Goff

You only need four ingredients for this buttery soup. For extra richness sprinkle a little cheese or a dollop of sour cream on top of each bowl before serving.

13 of 14

Mom's Old-Fashioned Fried Chicken

closeup of fried chicken drumsticks on a paper towel-lined plate

kamrynmarie

"What a wonderful recipe! The chicken was amazing. Very delicious and not dry or soggy," says evanwhitney.

14 of 14

Gramma's Old-Fashioned Chili Mac

closeup of a skillet of chili mac, with ground beef, kidney beans, bell peppers, tomato, and macaroni

Teri Musto Tedesco

Recipe creator Sue says, "This is an old family recipe that my mom has cooked for 50 years. It's a wonderful, 'stick-to-the-ribs' meal that goes wonderful with warm cornbread or rolls."

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