Recipes
30 Old-Fashioned Foods to Cook at Home
After months and months of quarantine, things are finally starting to get back to normal—or a new normal, we should say. And while there are so many things you’re likely super excited to do right now, there’s at least one thing that’s here to stay—cooking at home.
Sure, you’re able to dine out at your favorite restaurants again, but you’re not going to be eating out or ordering in for every single meal. You don’t want to let all of the cooking skills you’ve mastered during the past year go to waste! And nothing is better than a fun, retro-inspired meal to really show them off.
If you’re looking to cook some serious throwbacks, we’ve got you covered. You can’t go wrong with any of these vintage-inspired recipes. They’ll transport you back to your childhood and family dinners at home aka way before the word “quarantine” ever entered your vocabulary. If you’re really in the mood for a trip down memory lane, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback, too.
Is there anything more satisfying than a warm dish of chicken pot pie? This dish is the ultimate comfort food—you’d never even know it was packed with nutritious veggies.
Get our recipe for Chicken Pot Pie.
Meatloaf graced plenty of dinner tables back in the day, but it’s fallen out of favor as of late. There’s no reason you can’t bring it back, though! This recipe uses milk-soaked bread instead of breadcrumbs for an extra-moist meal every time.
You don’t have to be southern to enjoy deviled eggs with your at-home brunch. There are so many ways to level up this dish, too—have you ever had deviled eggs with blue cheese or sriracha?
Get our recipe for 12 New Twists on Deviled Eggs.
A restaurant classic, baked ziti is pretty simple to make at home, too. Putting your pasta in the oven will give it an extra-special touch, and who isn’t looking to spice things up a bit after a year of quarantine?
Get our recipe for Baked Ziti.
Why have cobblers fallen to the wayside? This dessert is so delicious, it’s deserving of a comeback. Even if you can’t have an outdoor picnic right now, you can still serve this tasty dessert at home.
Get our recipe for a Blueberry Peach Cobbler.
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Cheese balls might bring family holidays to mind, and that’s not a bad thing! Go ahead and remember the simpler days with this easy recipe.
Get our recipe for a Pistachio and Cranberry Cheese Ball.
Once billed as “the other white meat,” pork has fallen to the wayside when compared with chicken and beef. But there are plenty of delicious ways to incorporate it into your recipe rotation. This pork loin recipe is delicious, and it uses those canned beans you’ve been stockpiling.
Get our recipe for Pork Loin with Lemony White Beans.
A southern classic, chicken and dumplings is one meal that’s sure to remind you of simpler days at home. Whether or not you grew up eating this dish, it’s a standby comfort food for a reason.
Get our recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.
Sure, you can still head to the store and buy a box of mac and cheese today . . . but there’s something nice about making it the old-fashioned way with butter and flour and shredded cheese.
Get our recipe for Mac and Cheese.
If you haven’t made pesto in a while, now’s a great time to start. The basil-based sauce is delicious atop pasta, but it also makes a great topper for juicy chicken breasts.
Get our recipe for Pesto Chicken.
If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, this recipe may bring a healthy dose of nostalgia. Trust us, you won’t miss the boxed stuff!
Get our recipe for Cheeseburger Casserole.
Chicken Cordon Bleu doesn’t grace dinner tables as much as it used to—and it’s a real shame. What’s not to love about chicken stuffed with melted cheese?
Get our recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu.
A cross between pudding and a fruit cup, ambrosia is one nostalgic dessert everyone will love. Try mixing canned mandarin orange pieces, pineapple, or any other canned fruit with marshmallows and coconut for a decadent treat.
Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
Creamsicles and Jello, all in one recipe? Talk about a throwback! This recipe calls some favorite childhood desserts to mind, and it’s pretty simple to make, too. Why did Jello go out of style, anyway?
Get the recipe from Cupcakes & Kale Chips.
Recreate this vintage steakhouse classic at home. This dish plays fast and loose with the term “salad,” but it’s definitely delicious!
Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.
These days, you’re more likely to use that canned tuna for tuna melts. But back in the day, tuna casserole was all the rage. Up the nostalgia factor by making this classic dish.
Get the recipe from Five Heart Home.
This dessert isn’t just for Thanksgiving! Sweet potato pie is a delicious comfort food that you can make any time, and it’s the perfect end to a southern meal!
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
Not into ambrosia? Try this tapioca salad recipe instead! With two types of pudding and Jello, of course, this is one vintage-inspired recipe even kids will enjoy.
Get the recipe from Julie’s Eats and Treats.
If you only serve ham for holidays, it’s time to give the pig another chance to shine. Why should that delicious brown sugar glaze only come out twice a year? Now is as good a time as any to serve some delicious meat, complete with all the fixings.
Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.
If you haven’t caught on to the trend yet, a lot of vintage dessert recipes relied on canned fruit, marshmallows, and Jello. This ambrosia-adjacent salad features mini marshmallows, instant pudding, Cool Whip, and canned fruit for a truly decadent treat.
Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.
You don’t have to wait for a $1 oyster special in order to enjoy some great seafood. Try something different with an old-school fried oyster recipe. You just might be inspired to add oysters to your grocery list on a regular basis.
Get the recipe from the Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.
Another old-school restaurant classic, linguini with clams is easier to make at home than you think. What better way to use up all the pasta in your pantry?
Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
Just the thought of Sloppy Joes will take you to a simpler time, when all you had to worry about was keeping that tomato sauce from staining your entire shirt. Bring back the nostalgia with this easy recipe!
Get the recipe from Five Heart Home.
Collard greens just might be the most delicious way to add some vegetables to your meal. This recipe, which uses garlic and red pepper flakes, will make the nutritious veggie taste delicious.
Get the recipe from Cookie and Kate.
You don’t hear much about snow recipes anymore, but this icy dessert is worth a second look. Made with chilled apple pulp, this treat is the perfect way to cool off in the warmer weather.
Get the recipe from the Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.
Sure, you could buy a box of Pop-Tarts at the grocery store—but making your own is way more fun! We love that this recipe incorporates rhubarb, making for an extra-delicious throwback treat.
Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
What could be more American than taking meat and covering it in gravy? This was a Depression-era food served to members of the Armed Forces, but it still holds a special place in many Americans’ hearts.
Get the recipe from Small Town Woman.
Who doesn’t remember a family member making this pasta dish to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey? We think this dish is delicious year-round.
Southern food is always comforting, and when have biscuits ever steered you wrong? They’re delicious with butter and jam, but the best way to eat biscuits is by covering them in sausage gravy.
Get the recipe from Lil’ Luna.
Another nostalgic southern classic, cornbread is the perfect side dish for pretty much any meal. Nothing beats those bits of corn in every bite!
