19 Old Fashioned Recipes That Taste Like Pure Nostalgia

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Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that have been around forever — the ones that feel like home, comfort, and tradition all in one bite. This collection of 19 old fashioned recipes celebrates the classics, from cozy chicken pot pies and cottage pie to sweet favorites like sticky toffee pudding, lemon bars, and ambrosia salad. You’ll also find Southern gems like spoon bread, sausage balls, and shrimp boil with lemon brown butter sauce. These dishes may be old fashioned, but they’re timeless in flavor and guaranteed to bring a little nostalgia to your table.

One Pot Sausage and Rice

A plate of sausage and rice featuring Southern Recipes flair, with rice, sausage, peppers, tomatoes, and green onions garnished with herbs. A fork is placed to the side on a white surface. — Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This one-pot Sausage and Rice is a flavor-packed masterpiece! Smoky, savory sausage meets sweet, colorful bell peppers and fluffy, tender rice in a dish that’s bursting with bold spices and just the right amount of heat. Every bite is a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Sausage and Rice

Caramelized Bananas Foster

Close-up of a caramelized banana dessert with two scoops of vanilla ice cream on top. The dish is drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with chopped pecans, creating a rich and indulgent presentation.

Treat yourself to the irresistible delight of Bananas Foster! Picture caramelized bananas drenched in a luscious blend of brown sugar, warm cinnamon, and a splash of dark rum, all coming together in a show-stopping dessert. Served over velvety vanilla ice cream, it’s a sweet, buttery masterpiece you won’t be able to resist!

Get The Recipe: Caramelized Bananas Foster

Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

A close-up of a freshly baked pot pie in a skillet. A portion has been cut and lifted, revealing gooey melted cheese, flaky golden-brown crust, and creamy mushroom filling that rivals even the best chicken cutlet recipes in comfort and flavor. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

After a long and draining day, there’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of a pot pie. It’s a warm hug in a dish, filling your belly and spirit with pure comfort.

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Chicken Dumpling Soup

A close-up of Chicken Dumpling Soup in a pot showcases chunks of chicken, dumplings, sliced carrots, and chopped parsley in a creamy broth. A ladle and spoon are artfully placed inside the pot. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Get ready for a cozy bowl of Chicken Dumpling Soup! Picture tender, slow-cooked chicken in a rich, flavorful broth, paired with fluffy dumplings and hearty veggies. It’s the perfect comfy meal that’s not only delicious but super easy to make. This recipe is like a warm hug in a bowl, inviting you to dig in and enjoy all those delightful flavors. So gather your ingredients, and let’s whip up a comforting dish that’ll warm your heart and soul!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Lemon Bars

A buttery, crumbly shortbread crust that melts in your mouth, topped with a perfectly tart and creamy lemon filling. It’s a sweet and tangy celebration of citrus in every bite!

Get The Recipe: Lemon Squares

Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Freshly baked corn muffins cooling on a cooling rack. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This classic recipe is just the beginning! Easily customize it to your taste with a few simple ingredients. Add a touch of honey for sweetness or a sprinkle of cheese for a savory twist.

Get The Recipe: Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Victoria Sponge Cake

Timeless elegance made easy! This Victoria Sponge Cake recipe uses a simple all-in-one method to create a delicious buttery cake. Imagine layers of tender cake filled with a vibrant raspberry jam and crowned with a luxurious buttercream frosting. It’s a classic dessert perfected for the modern baker.

Get The Recipe: Victoria Sponge Cake

Traditional Cottage Pie

Close-up of a shepherd's pie featuring a golden-brown mashed potato topping. Below, there's a mixture of cooked ground meat, peas, carrots, and other vegetables, all in a brown gravy, served on a white plate. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

A comfort food classic, this cottage pie is pure coziness. Savory ground beef, carrots, onions, and peas simmer in rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection. Hearty, delicious, and soul-warming, it’s the ultimate craving-satisfier.

Get The Recipe: Traditional Cottage Pie

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

This Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is a comforting twist on a classic favorite! Hearty and delicious, it combines tender chicken, mixed vegetables, and a creamy sauce, all topped with flaky biscuits. It’s the perfect warm and satisfying meal for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

German Chocolate Cake Recipe (With How To Video)

A slice of homemade German chocolate cake being lifted after being cut on white background — Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This German Chocolate Cake is a decadent treat featuring layers of moist chocolate cake. It’s frosted with a rich, buttery coconut-pecan frosting and a delicious chocolate buttercream, perfect for any celebration.
Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Cake Recipe (With How To Video)

Shrimp Boil with Lemon Brown Butter Sauce

Shrimp Boil on Sheet Pan — Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

This Shrimp Boil recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to make! It features a zesty seasoning blend and a mouthwatering lemon garlic brown butter sauce that elevates the dish to a whole new level of flavor. Plus, it’s gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Boil with Lemon Brown Butter Sauce

Dirty Rice

This classic Dirty Rice recipe is a New Orleans staple, perfect as a flavorful side dish or even a main course. Made with ground pork, chicken liver, and a medley of spices, this dish brings a taste of Louisiana to your table. Enjoy this hearty and delicious recipe, especially for Mardi Gras celebrations!
Get the Recipe: Dirty Rice

Sticky Toffee Pudding

These individual Sticky Toffee Puddings are a delightful twist on the classic dessert! Each bite offers a fluffy, spiced date cake soaked in a rich, homemade toffee sauce. Perfect for a cozy night in or a festive holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Toffee Pudding

Salmon Croquettes

A southern fish croquette on a plate cut in half to show inside. — Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

These Southern Salmon Croquettes are a soul food classic that are surprisingly simple to make! Tender on the inside with a crunchy exterior, these croquettes are packed with salmon flavor and aromatics. Enjoy them as an appetizer or a main course for a taste of the South.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Croquettes

Sausage Balls

These classic Sausage Balls are the ultimate easy appetizer, perfect for any holiday or game day gathering! Made with just a few simple ingredients and baked to golden perfection, they’re especially delicious when paired with a sweet and tangy Apricot Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce. Get ready for a crowd-pleasing dish that everyone will love!
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

This Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is the perfect dessert for any spring or summer gathering! It’s easy to make and features a delicious combination of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb, topped with a buttery, crunchy oat topping. Plus, it can be made ahead of time for extra convenience!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Classic Ambrosia Salad

a bowl of ambrosia salad with a serving spoon — Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This classic Ambrosia Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Combine sour cream, whipped topping, mandarin oranges, pineapple, mini marshmallows, coconut, and cherries for a sweet and tangy treat. It’s a simple, one-bowl recipe that’s perfect for holidays or any get-together.
Get the Recipe: Classic Ambrosia Salad

Spoon Bread

This buttermilk spoon bread is a classic Southern comfort food that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser! It’s made with simple ingredients like cornmeal, buttermilk, and honey, and it’s incredibly easy to make. Perfect as a side dish for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
Get the Recipe: Spoon Bread

Turkey & Ham Pot Pie

A serving spoon over the turkey and Ham pie with a scoop of the pie in the spoon — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy this Turkey and Ham Pie, a comforting mix of tender turkey, savory ham, and sweet leeks, seasoned with fresh herbs and baked in golden, flaky puff pastry. It’s the perfect way to turn leftovers into a dish that will wow your guests and have them asking for seconds!

Get The Recipe: Turkey and Ham Pie