20 Old Fashioned Recipes That Will Make You Miss Your Grandma

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Some recipes have a way of transporting us back to the good old days, filling the kitchen with warmth and nostalgia. This collection of 20 old-fashioned recipes includes comforting favorites like smothered pork chops, homemade mac and cheese, and classic pot roast. Whether you’re craving sweet treats like devil’s food cake and glazed donuts or hearty dishes like Salisbury steak and chili con carne, these recipes bring the best of vintage home cooking to your table. Let’s take a delicious walk down memory lane with these timeless dishes.

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake Recipe

A comforting oatmeal cake topped with gooey coconut-pecan frosting. Lightly spiced, easy to make, and delicious warm or cold!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake Recipe

Smothered Pork Chops

A plate of mashed potatoes and pork chops smothered in mushroom gravy, served with a side of steamed broccoli, reminiscent of classic smothered pork chops. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These easy weeknight pork chops are topped with caramelized onion and mushroom gravy, finished with melted cheese for a comforting, satisfying meal.

Get The Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Apple Fritters

Enjoy warm, crispy Apple Fritters filled with fresh apples, cozy spices, and topped with a sweet glaze. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they’re the ultimate homemade treat!

Get The Recipe: Apple Fritters

Chili Con Carne

Dive into a pot of pure comfort! This Classic Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Chili Con Carne

Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon meringue pie slice on a silver plate — Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

Indulge in the perfect balance of flavors with homemade lemon meringue pie—featuring a buttery, flaky crust, a luscious tart lemon filling, and a cloud-like toasted meringue topping that melts in your mouth.
Get the Recipe: Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

Hamburger Helper Stroganoff

A skillet filled with beef stroganoff features wide egg noodles, ground beef, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce—a true comfort food recipe. Chopped parsley is sprinkled on top, with a wooden spoon resting in the dish, inviting you to dive into its soothing flavors. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This one-skillet ground beef stroganoff is a game-changer for busy weeknights! Creamy, flavorful, and oh-so-delicious, it comes together in under 30 minutes using just a handful of simple ingredients. Say goodbye to dinner stress and hello to a new family favorite!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

Classic Frog Eyed Salad

An image of frog eye salad made with acini de pepe pasta, pineapple, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and whipped cream. — Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

Frog Eye Salad is a beloved potluck favorite that’s as fun to eat as it is to make! Packed with tender acini de pepe pasta, juicy pineapple, sweet mandarin oranges, shredded coconut, and fluffy marshmallows, it’s a creamy, tropical treat everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Classic Frog Eyed Salad

Fat Witch Chocolate Brownies

Classic Fat Witch Dark Chocolate Brownies Recipe | foodiecrush.com — Photo credit: Foodie Crush

Classic dark chocolate brownies from Chelsea Market’s famed Fat Witch Bakery are rich and thick. The favorite recipe for every true chocolate lover!
Get the Recipe: Classic Fat Witch Dark Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Honey Glazed Ham

A close-up of a glazed ham being sliced with a serrated knife. The ham has a shiny, caramelized outer layer with a pink, juicy interior. The knife has just cut through a small portion, revealing the tender inside. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This glazed ham recipe is sweet, tangy, and savory. The ham is scored and baked with a mouth-watering glaze made with brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, mustard, pineapple juice, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and ground cloves.

Get The Recipe: Glazed Ham

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Get ready to indulge in this Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese recipe—a spectacular, cheesy delight that comes together in just one pot! In only 30 minutes, you can savor the ultimate comfort food that’s guaranteed to warm your heart and satisfy your cravings. Dig in!

Get The Recipe: Creamy Mac and Cheese

Award Winning Banana Bread

The image features a loaf of banana bread with several slices cut, alongside a serving knife on a stone board. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This award-winning banana bread recipe is your ticket to pure perfection—moist, soft, and irresistibly tender every single time! A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, it’s bound to become the star of your recipe collection. Get ready to wow your taste buds and everyone around you!

Get The Recipe: Award Winning Banana Bread

Classic Pot Roast

A pot filled with a classic, old-fashioned pot roast surrounded by carrots, potatoes, and onions. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley, and there is a rich, savory sauce visible in the pot. — Photo credit: Culinary Hill

This Classic Pot Roast is comfort food at its finest—braised low and slow for that “just like mom used to make” magic. Picture meltingly tender beef, perfectly cooked vegetables, and a rich, savory gravy that brings it all together.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pot Roast

Old Fashioned Glazed Donuts

A close up of a pile of glazed cake donuts — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Sink your teeth into a classic Old Fashioned Glazed Donut. This delightful treat features a golden-baked cake donut dipped in a sweet, sugary glaze.

Get The Recipe: Old Fashioned Glazed Donuts

Devil’s Food Cake

A slice of rich chocolate cake with smooth frosting sits on a white plate, reminiscent of old-fashioned cakes. A fork rests to the side, ready to enjoy the dessert. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the cake's tempting texture and layers. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in the rich, fudgy goodness of Devil’s Food Cake—a chocolate lover’s dream that disappears fast!

Get The Recipe: Devil’s Food Cake

Salisbury Steak

Whip up a cozy, mouthwatering meal in just 30 minutes with our irresistible Salisbury Steak recipe! Perfect for hectic weeknights, this hearty dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite you’ll want to make again and again. Get ready for everyone to ask for seconds!

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Get ready to elevate your meal with this delicious Green Bean Casserole with Bacon! Bursting with flavor, it boasts a rich, creamy sauce and a perfectly crunchy topping that makes it the ultimate side dish for any occasion.

Get The Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

Hamburger and Rice

Get ready for a flavor-packed delight that comes together in no time! This savory hamburger and rice recipe is perfect for busy nights, delivering tender ground beef and fluffy rice with just a dash of magic (or maybe it’s those mouthwatering seasonings!). Say goodbye to a mountain of dirty dishes and hello to a satisfying meal that will please everyone at the table!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

Boston Cream Pie Cake

A close up of a vanilla cake filled with custard and covered in chocolate glaze. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Indulge in the delightful nostalgia of this Boston Cream Pie Cake, a mouthwatering tribute to the beloved flavors of American desserts! Imagine moist cake layers bursting with a luscious vanilla center, all topped off with a rich, decadent chocolate glaze. This irresistible treat is sure to bring joy and satisfaction with every bite!

Get The Recipe: Boston Cream Pie Cake

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and flavorful. Once you try it, you’ll cherish this recipe forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Warning: These classic Peanut Butter Cookies are insanely addictive! Their perfect balance of soft and crisp, crave-worthy peanut butter flavor and iconic crisscross pattern makes them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Get The Recipe: Classic Peanut Butter Cookies