Hearty, Homemade, and Nearly Lost: 20 Dishes Our Parents Made

Okay, they’re not nearly gone, but some of these dishes feel like they’ve been hiding out since the last family potluck. Our parents used to whip these up without a second thought—simple, filling, and always made with love. Somewhere along the way, they got pushed aside for quicker, trendier meals. Let’s shine a light on the classics that deserve a comeback.

Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe With Ground Beef

This traditional Shepherds Pie Recipe is a savory meat pie topped with creamy mashed potatoes. A classic comfort food for cold weather months.
Get the Recipe: Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe With Ground Beef

Cajun Chicken And Sausage Gumbo (Under An Hour)

My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

A warm and comforting Chicken and Sausage Gumbo made with a deep, flavorful roux, andouille sausage, and tender chicken.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken And Sausage Gumbo (Under An Hour)

Diy Cheesy Hamburger Helper With Beef & Bacon

A fork full of homemade hamburger helper. — Diy Cheesy Hamburger Helper With Beef & Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

My version of homemade hamburger helper is dressed-up with bacon, garlic and onion, white wine, heavy cream and two types of cheese. Recipe serves 8.
Get the Recipe: Diy Cheesy Hamburger Helper With Beef & Bacon

Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy

A bite of chicken fried steak on a fork. — Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender, juicy, and crispy chicken fried steak is served with creamy white gravy and all of your favorite sides.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

Crispy onions on top of a green bean casserole. — Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Follow these steps at home to make this creamy casserole with fresh green beans. No canned mushroom soup here! A homemade cream sauce is used.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

Tuna & Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup

A serving spoon of tuna casserole. — Tuna & Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy, nostalgic tuna noodle casserole recipe skips the canned soup and includes a crunchy potato chip topping for a dinner everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Tuna & Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup

Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Scalloped potatoes and ham is a comforting casserole of potatoes and tasty chunks of ham in a creamy white sauce under a layer of gooey gruyere.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

A serving dish of creamy beef stroganoff. — Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This one-pot Beef Stroganoff is made with ground beef and homemade mushroom soup for an extra flavor boost.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread

A close-up of a skillet filled with tamale pie, a delicious take on beef casseroles. A serving spoon lifts out a portion, revealing seasoned ground beef filling beneath a golden, baked cornbread crust. — Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Quick and easy homemade sloppy joe casserole with cornbread is a great family friendly meal. Easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread

A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

A close-up of a plate with slices of meatloaf, topped with a tomato-based sauce. The meatloaf is garnished with visible onion bits and is served with a fork and knife placed beside it. The plate is set on a textured surface and is part of a rustic table setting. — A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This juicy Meatloaf is made with oatmeal for a heartier texture and flavor and paired with an elevated take on the classic ketchup glaze.
Get the Recipe: A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits

A bowl of hearty chicken and dumplings soup is shown. The bowl contains shredded chicken, vegetables like carrots, and two large, fluffy dumplings. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley and fresh ground black pepper, and a spoon rests on the side. — Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Make this classic Southern Chicken and Dumplings. It’s made with chicken thighs, veggies, a rich broth, and steamed biscuits.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits

Classic Baked Ziti Recipe (Easy!)

Warm and comforting, this is an easy-to-make classic Baked Ziti recipe filled with Italian Sausage, tomato sauce, and cheese to the max!
Get the Recipe: Classic Baked Ziti Recipe (Easy!)

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker

Two sloppy joe sandwiches on round buns sit on a white tray with a blue rim, accompanied by pickles. One sandwich is stacked atop the other on parchment paper—classic comfort food perfect for slow cooker recipes. — Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This made-from-scratch sloppy joe recipe for a crowd has a sweet and tangy sauce, easy to prepare and simmer in a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd: Easy Slow Cooker

Brown With Béchamel Cheese Sauce

an individual serving or a Kentucky hot brown. — Brown With Béchamel Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Kentucky Hot Browns are perfect for leftover turkey, but they’re so good, you don’t have to wait for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Brown With Béchamel Cheese Sauce

Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy

A casserole dish with a biscuit covered in sausage gravy. — Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fresh biscuits get an upgrade when smothered with Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy. Breakfast sausage adds loads of flavor to this Southern staple.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy

Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

A Southern-style macaroni salad made with a creamy mayo, sour cream and dijon mustard dressing. Mix with cheddar cheese to finish, and served chilled.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad With Cheese

Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

A plate of chicken fried steak topped with creamy white gravy, served beside mashed potatoes, garnished with cracked black pepper and chopped herbs—a classic from southern recipes. A fork and knife rest on the plate. — Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crunchy, crispy Chicken Fried Chicken with a double-dipped coating and rich gravy is a Southern comfort food classic you’ll love!
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole

A serving of ham and cheese casserole in a spoon. — Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Made with simple ingredients, this Ham and Cheese Casserole recipe is a great way to use up leftover ham for an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole

Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings

A close-up of a plate filled with a creamy chicken and dumplings dish. Visible ingredients include tender pieces of shredded chicken, fluffy dumplings, carrots, peas, and a thick, seasoned gravy. The meal appears warm and hearty, served in a white bowl. — Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Old fashioned crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe creates soft chewy dumplings, tender chicken and veggies smothered in a creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage

Three stuffed bell peppers, inspired by classic 1980s recipes, two red and one orange, filled with rice and topped with shredded cheese and chopped fresh herbs, served on a light-colored plate. — Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and garlic are cooked in the slow cooker for a low-effort weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows