Let's jump into the dinnertime way back time machine. These meals brought friends and family running to the dinner table. It is time to bring them back! It would be a shame if beloved old family recipes were lost to history.
Plus, these are delicious!
Chicken Fried Steak
This is a taste of the American South in your mouth! Meat pounded thin, battered, and deep fried then (as if we need more carbs and fats to make this dish amazing) top it with gravy.
Meatloaf
The meat loaf was born out of necessity, using meat on hand, some seasonings, and stale bread crumbs. It deserves a comeback; your biggest decision is whether it should be topped with ketchup or brown gravy. Discuss amongst yourselves.
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
The beauty of this classic pairing is that you can enjoy it just the way mom used to make it or give it a more modern and grown-up spin. Grilled white bread and a slice of processed cheese (each slice with its own plastic wrapper) were paired with a can of soup.
If nostalgia alone doesn't satisfy your tastebuds, you can switch out artisan bread, a mix of soft and hard cheeses with tomato bisque on the side.
Chicken Cornbread Pie
Not to be confused with Chicken Pot Pie (which also earns a place on this list). Chicken Cornbread Pie brings the heat, with sweetness from the cornbread and plenty of melty cheese. Jalapenos were the original spicy flavoring. Today, we have access to so many kinds of peppers… Ghost Pepper Chicken Cornbread Pie, anyone?
Shepherd's Pie
If meat, veg, and mashed potatoes had a baby. The beef or lamb mixed with saucy peas and carrots makes a gravy-licious bed for fluffy mashed potatoes. Hailing from across the pond where U.K. weather tends to be windy, cold, and dreary, this dish is meant to stick to your ribs.
Swedish Meatballs
Meatballs are great no matter the sauce, but there's something special about the creamy gravy on Swedish meatballs. (Extra credit if you go all out Swedish and serve them with lingonberry jam.) Thanks to IKEA, you don't have to slave over a hot stove; just pop into the popular store for their frozen version. They've nearly earned a cult following today, but did you know IKEA Swedish Meatballs have been around since the 80s?
Corned Beef & Cabbage
This dish arrived on America's shores with Irish immigrants. (Big thanks here to the Irish) It's become the official meal of St. Patrick's Day in America - along with Irish Whiskey and Green Beer if you like.
It appeared on dinner tables in Ireland year-round, and it deserves to be on your list when you need a low-cost, hearty, satisfying dinner treat any time of the year.
Liver and Onions
This dish falls into one of two camps: love or hate it, and there's no in-between.
It was likely served to you because of its health benefits. Animal liver is a really rich source of vitamins and minerals. These days, the high fat and cholesterol levels make it a less popular choice. And growing up on overcooked liver that was roughly the consistency of shoe leather. Many still love this throwback when the onions are grilled to sweet perfection, and the liver is super tender.
Beef Stroganoff
This originally Russian dish moved over to China in the early 1900s (thanks to the exodus of Russians during the civil war). It eventually made its way to America in the 50s. And stayed as a dinnertime favorite.
This meat and mushroom dish served over wide egg noodles and under a creamy gravy belongs in every recipe book!
Chicken Pot Pie
It's the crust that makes this dish such a standout. Light and flaky and perfect for soaking in the chicken and veggie gravy. Back in the day, the crust required some mad skills to make. Today, it's as easy as heading to the grocery store's freezer section and getting a pie crust and some puff pastry.
Cheese Fondue
You may remember Cheese Fondue as the centerpiece for adult gatherings when you were a kid. It still belongs in your dinner rotation.
What's not to like about bread, broccoli, roasted potatoes, apples, or bacon smothered in melted cheese? Check out which cheese your parents or grandparents preferred, then experiment with your current faves.
None of the items on this list will win any awards for being super healthy choices. But, in moderation, nostalgia served with plenty of fat and carbs deserves a big comeback.
Which of these recipes inspires you to cook up an old-fashioned meal tonight?
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