I (Almost) Gave Up Cooking—Until These 21 Old School Retro Recipes Pulled Me Back In

I was this close to tossing in the towel on cooking—totally over it. But then I stumbled across some old school retro recipes, and suddenly I was back in the kitchen like it was 1965. We’re talking casseroles, Jell-O salads, and all the cozy, nostalgic goodness I didn’t know I missed. These dishes seriously changed the game for me.

Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

A skillet of chicken and wild rice casserole with a wooden spoon. — Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ultra creamy, this chicken and wild rice casserole is always a favorite. Chicken, rice, & cheese topped with almonds and no canned soup.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

Slow cooker beef and gravy — Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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This Slow Cooker Pot Roast is made with chuck roast and veggies simmered in a thick broth, and topped with homemade mushroom gravy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

A spoon full of hashbrown casserole. — Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

An old fashioned casserole with cheesy potatoes and a crunchy cornflake topping. Frozen hashbrowns make this a breeze to make for breakfast or brunch.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

Southern Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (No Rice)

A plate of rice covered with poppy seed chicken. — Southern Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (No Rice). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken poppy seed casserole made with a homemade creamy filling and a crispy poppy seed cracker topping is great for a potluck or weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Southern Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole (No Rice)

Baked Macaroni Pie With Just 5 Ingredients

A casserole dish of baked macaroni pie. — Baked Macaroni Pie With Just 5 Ingredients. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Baked macaroni and cheese has a rich, creamy texture and is so easy to make. Prep in under 30 minutes, with only 5 ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni Pie With Just 5 Ingredients

Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy

Sausage gravy poured over biscuits in a black casserole dish. — 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 Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken

From-scratch chicken tetrazzini is a comfort food pasta dish with chicken, savory mushrooms, & pasta baked in a creamy homemade sauce, covered in cheese.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken

A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

A well-cooked meatloaf sits on a textured, rectangular tray. One slice has been cut from the decadent creation, and a silver knife lies next to it. The meatloaf appears moist and has a browned, crusty top. A small container in the background holds a red sauce or ketchup for serving. — 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-Style Sausage And Grits Casserole With Egg

A casserole dish of grits with a serving spoon. — Southern-Style Sausage And Grits Casserole With Egg. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sausage and Grits Casserole is an easy recipe you’ll love. It’s cheesy and flavorful, with fresh herbs, smoked sausage and plenty of cheddar.
Get the Recipe: Southern-Style Sausage And Grits Casserole With Egg

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

Southern Style Chicken And Biscuits

A close-up of a creamy chicken and biscuit casserole, with a spoon lifting a biscuit topped with herbs to reveal the savory filling underneath—perfect for fans of comfort food recipes. — Southern Style Chicken And Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits is Southern comfort food at its best. Buttermilk biscuits top a creamy chicken filling.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken And Biscuits

Southern Shrimp And Grits

A platter of shrimp and grits with two glasses of wine. — Southern Shrimp And Grits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern Shrimp and Grits are a classic with andouille sausage and shrimp added to a wine and cream sauce served over cheesy grits.
Get the Recipe: Southern Shrimp And Grits

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

Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

A bowl of apple salad with a serving spoon. — Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic Waldorf Salad recipe never goes out of style. Crispy apples, celery, walnuts, and sweet raisins are coated in a light mayonnaise dressing.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole

A spoon scooping out a serving of ham and cheese casserole. — 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

Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Baked macaroni and cheese in a round baking dish on a napkin with spoons. — Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese from Poole’s Diner is a classic with a creamy base and crusty cheese on top. Comfort food at its BEST.
Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch, — 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

Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

This green pea salad is a Southern favorite that comes together in one bowl. Easy to make ahead, it’s flavorful with a touch of a spicy kick.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

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

Gumbo

A traditional style recipe with a dark gluten-free roux. This flavorful gluten-free gumbo recipe is one of a kind!
Get the Recipe: Gumbo

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe

Made with day old French bread and fresh sage, let the memories of yesteryear flood in!
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe

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