The 20 (Almost) Forgotten Dishes Our Parents Made That Deserve a Comeback

Some of the best dishes we grew up with have quietly disappeared from most our dinner tables, and it’s kind of a shame. Our parents really knew how to whip up comfort food that hit all the right spots—simple, hearty, and full of flavor. These dishes might not be trending on social media, but they definitely deserve a second chance. Let’s bring back the recipes that fed our childhood and still hold up today.

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

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

A skillet of chicken pot pie covered with puff pastry. — Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

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This super easy chicken pot pie recipe is made with flaky puff pastry for ease and a beautiful crispy texture on top.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

A classic southern desserts favorite, creamy banana pudding topped with fluffy meringue is partially served with a spoon, resting beside several vintage metal spoons on a gray surface. — Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This warm banana pudding is a deliciously creamy dessert made with fresh bananas and a rich custard.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding With Meringue

Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Tray of sliced sheet cake topped with creamy white frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans, with a serving spatula partially under one piece and a knife resting beside the tray. — Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Hummingbird Sheet Cake combines ripe bananas, pineapple, and cinnamon with a rich cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans.
Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Ambrosia Salad Recipe

A close-up of a fruit salad mixed with whipped cream, showing colorful pieces of fruit like mandarin oranges and cherries coated in a creamy dressing—a delightful example of classic fruit dishes. — Ambrosia Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

You’ll love this mouthwatering Ambrosia Salad Recipe made with fruit, coconut, pecans, marshmallows and tossed with whipped cream.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad Recipe

One Pot Beef And Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup next to a plate of crackers. — One Pot Beef And Barley Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm up with beef and barley soup loaded with tender beef, veggies, and nutty barley. A thick, comforting classic perfect for any chilly day.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Beef And Barley Soup

Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

A skillet filled with creamy, cooked corn kernels being stirred by a wooden spoon. The creamed corn appears to be seasoned and mixed with a rich, creamy substance, creating a luscious texture. The background is a grayish cooking surface. — Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, buttery Creamed Corn gets a homemade makeover with just four simple ingredients and 10 minutes on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

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

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 S oup

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

Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

A close-up of a sliced bundt cake with a light glaze. The southern dessert is golden brown with a moist, dense interior. One piece is cut and raised on a cake server, revealing the soft cake texture inside. The background includes a white surface and blurred utensils. — Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Kentucky Butter Cake is a Southern staple thanks to its tender crumb that’s soaked in a sweet butter sauce while still warm.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake

Fresh Peach Pound Cake

A sliced peach pound cake — Fresh Peach Pound Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This fresh peach Old Fashioned Pound Cake Recipe is deliciously moist! Topped with a simple peach glaze for the best summer dessert.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Pound Cake

Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie

A slice of rhubarb pie with whipped cream on top. — Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Classic rhubarb pie meets its match with this creamy old fashioned rhubarb and custard pie recipe. Baked with a caramelized sugar topping.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Rhubarb Custard Pie

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal

A bite of pie on a fork. — Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This is the creamiest chocolate chess pie ever! This easy old-fashioned recipe guarantees a perfectly set custard center with the simplest ingredient list.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chocolate Chess Pie With Cornmeal

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

Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies (Soft And Chewy)

Whip up these Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with oats, brown sugar, and a sweet glaze—just like the ones you loved as a kid.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies (Soft And Chewy)

Old Fashioned Apple Custard Pie Recipe

Buttery crust, tart apples, and a creamy custard filling make this Apple Custard Pie the perfect not-too-sweet comfort dessert for fall.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Custard Pie Recipe

Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

A spoon full of homemade rice pudding. — Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

This comforting and creamy rice pudding is more like a rich vanilla custard that’s topped with next level bourbon-soaked raisins.
Get the Recipe: Really, Really Good Old Fashioned Rice Pudding

Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe

This easy 5-ingredient old-fashioned apple dumplings recipe includes cinnamon-spiced apples baked in biscuit dough and buttery sugar syrup.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe

Potato Souffle (Fluffy Baked Mashed Potatoes)

Transform mashed potatoes with this easy potato souffle recipe. Elegant comfort food side dish with grated parmesan cheese and egg whites.
Get the Recipe: Potato Souffle (Fluffy Baked Mashed Potatoes)

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