21 Old Fashioned Recipes: From Grandma's Recipe Box to Your Kitchen (2024)

Time to ditch the fancy gadgets and TikTok fads and step into a world where the warmth of the oven is only matched by the warmth of memories. Because let’s face it, Grandma didn’t need a sous vide to make delicious food.

These 21 recipes are steeped in tradition, passed down through generations and now to you, so you can recreate the comfort and nostalgia of your grandma’s cooking. These are the kind of meals that stick to your ribs and your heart. So channel your inner nonna and whip up some no-nonsense food that proves classics never go out of style – or flavor.

Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

Unwrap the taste of nostalgia with this Ritz Cracker Meatloaf. It’s the kind of comfort food that turns a family dinner into a hearty feast, with crackers adding that buttery crunch. Just like grandma used to make, it’s a recipe that’s stood the test of time.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

Classic Pea Salad

Classic Pea Salad takes you back to the days of family picnics and church potlucks. Creamy, sweet, and tangy, it’s the old-school salad that’s always the first to disappear from the table. A time-honored recipe that’s perfect for every occasion and season.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pea Salad

Italian Ricotta Cookies

These Italian Ricotta Cookies are soft, pillowy treasures that would make any Nonna proud. They are simple yet utterly delicious, with a texture that’s a cross between a cake and a cookie. Dusted with powdered sugar, they’re a festive delight no matter the time of year.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

There’s nothing quite like the slow-simmered goodness of Beef and Noodles from the crock pot. This dish is a testament to the simple, satisfying meals that filled our childhood homes with enticing aromas. Let the slow cooker do the work and enjoy the tender, homestyle comfort in every forkful.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Campbells Green Bean Casserole

Channel the spirit of Thanksgiving past with Campbell’s classic Green Bean Casserole. Whether you’re going traditional in the oven or modern in the air fryer, this dish is synonymous with family gatherings and cozy fall flavors. It’s a recipe that has graced dinner tables for generations.
Get the Recipe: Campbells Green Bean Casserole

Church Window Cookies

Church Window Cookies are the colorful, no-bake confections that are as much fun to make as they are to eat. Chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts come together in a delightful treat that’s been a sweet staple for decades. They’re a festive throwback to simpler times and homemade holidays.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

Rustic Mushroom Stew

Dive into the rustic charm of a traditional Italian Mushroom Stew. It’s a hearty dish that would be right at home in a quaint kitchen, served over crusty Italian bread. Bring a touch of authenticity to your table with a stew that’s been warming hearts and bellies alike.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Mushroom Stew

Utica Greens

Utica Greens brings a taste of Italian-American heritage right to your kitchen. This combination of escarole, hot peppers, and garlic is a flavorful way to enjoy greens, just like they do in the old neighborhoods. It’s a dish that’s packed with history and flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Utica Greens

Grape Pie

Embrace the fall season with a traditional Concord grape pie, a regional specialty from upstate NY. With a flaky pie crust enveloping sweet, tart grapes, this pie is a celebration of autumnal bounty. It’s a slice of harvest time, no matter where you are.
Get the Recipe: Grape Pie

Slow Cooker Creamy Pork Chops

These creamy pork chops are a slow cooker revelation, bathing in a mushroom soup that turns into a savory sauce as they cook. With minimal prep, this recipe is about laying the groundwork for a flavor-packed meal that cooks itself. It’s comfort food that brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen without all the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Pork Chops

Salt Potatoes

Salt Potatoes are a simple yet sublime dish hailing from upstate New York. These bite-sized, buttery potatoes boil in heavily salted water, resulting in a creamy interior and a delicate salt crust. It’s a beloved recipe that turns the humble potato into a star side dish.
Get the Recipe: Salt Potatoes

Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

Crafting peanut brittle at home is a sweet nod to bygone days, and this old-fashioned recipe is as timeless as it is tasty. It’s the perfect homemade gift to share during the holidays, or to satisfy a nostalgic craving for a classic candy. Just a few ingredients and a little patience yield a brittle that’s a crunch above the rest.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

Oven Roasted Pork Loin

This oven-roasted pork loin, complete with vegetables, is the kind of Sunday dinner that has graced tables for generations. It’s an impressive yet easy meal that’s perfect for gatherings or a comforting family dinner. The kind of roast that’s made for sharing and always brings people together.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Quick Pickled Beets

These quick pickled beets capture the essence of summer in a jar and add a vibrant, sweet note to any salad. Ready in just a few hours, they’re a testament to simple, wholesome preservation methods that have been treasured for ages. Brighten up your table with a recipe that’s as colorful as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Beets

Blueberry Cobbler

This Southern blueberry cobbler with its flaky biscuit topping and bursting berries is the epitome of home-baked goodness. It’s a dessert that invites you to scoop out juicy, fruity bites, where the berry juices mingle with the tender crust. A perfect end to any meal, it’s a recipe that’s been cherished across generations.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler

Baked Manicotti

Baked Manicotti is a comforting pasta dish filled with rich cheese, all topped with a savory marinara sauce and ground beef. It’s a cheesy, hearty meal that feels like a warm embrace on a plate. This is the food of family traditions, of Sunday dinners, and of memories made around the dining table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

Amish Potato Salad

Amish Potato Salad is a creamy, tangy classic, often found at summer cookouts and potlucks. Its unique flavor profile comes from mustard, sugar, and celery seed, making it stand out from the average potato salad. It’s a dish that harkens back to community gatherings and shared meals.
Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad

Chocolate Lush

Indulge in a no-bake Chocolate Lush, a four-layer delight that’s as decadent as it is easy to prepare. This dessert layers Oreo cookies, peanut butter cheesecake, chocolate pudding, and cool whip for a luxurious treat. It’s a modern take on the classic lasagna-style dessert that’s been bringing joy to sweet tooths for years.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lush

Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Enjoy the ease and comfort of this crock pot ham and potato soup, where everything cooks together to create a rich and creamy delight. It’s the kind of soup that fills the house with inviting aromas and fills the belly with warmth. Stir in some cheese for an extra layer of coziness that’s perfect for any chilly day.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

These Bread and Butter Pickles are a quick refrigerator recipe that brings the classic taste of summer to your sandwich. With no canning required, it’s a throwback to simpler times when homemade was always best. Enjoy the crisp, sweet, and tangy flavor that has been a picnic favorite for decades.
Get the Recipe: Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

Potato Chip Cookies

These Potato Chip Cookies are a delightful blend of sweet and salty, proving that sometimes the best recipes come from daring combinations. With just six ingredients, they’re easy to make and offer a satisfying crunch. It’s a unique recipe that’s sure to become a new but familiar favorite in your cookie repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Potato Chip Cookies

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