They Were Onto Something! 25 Old Fashioned Dinner Recipes We Need to Revive

You know those meals that just hit different—the ones your grandma used to make from scratch, filling the whole house with the most amazing smells? Somewhere along the way, we traded in those hearty, homemade dinners for fast food and microwave meals, but honestly… they knew what they were doing back in the day! These old-fashioned dinner recipes are packed with comfort, flavor, and a little nostalgia, and it’s time to bring them back.

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

Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy

Sausage gravy poured over biscuits in a black casserole dish. — Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

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

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

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

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon

Sweet potato casserole with a serving spoon. — Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

An easy sweet potato casserole flavored with bourbon and then topped with spicy pecans, brown sugar and bacon streusel.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon

Baked Italian Sausage Stuffing

A casserole dish of baked stuffing with a serving spoon. — Baked Italian Sausage Stuffing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

It’s not a good dinner spread without a good homemade stuffing recipe! This baked stuffing has Italian sausage and sourdough bread.
Get the Recipe: Baked Italian Sausage Stuffing

One Pan Chicken And Rice Casserole With Broccoli In A Homemade Sauce

A serving of chicken rice and broccoli casserole. — One Pan Chicken And Rice Casserole With Broccoli In A Homemade Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli has tender chicken, a homemade sauce and a crispy Ritz topping for a one-pan, easy to make casserole.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken And Rice Casserole With Broccoli In A Homemade Sauce

Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

A skillet of baked chicken and wild rice casserole. — 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

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.

We can’t miss this recipe when talking about old fashioned dinner recipes. After all, what’s a more classic dish than chicken and dumplings?
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits

Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos

Two plates of pimento mac and cheese. — Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Pimento mac and cheese is an easy, baked pasta dish made with zesty pimentos in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with even more golden cheddar.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos

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

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)

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 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

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe is back! 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

Honey Harissa Chicken Legs

A sweet and spicy chicken recipe. Combines harissa and honey for an easy chicken recipe with loads of flavor. Use chicken thighs or legs.
Get the Recipe: Honey Harissa Chicken Legs

Southern Fried Pork Chops

Tender and juicy this Southern fried pork chops recipe is marinated in a spicy buttermilk, breaded in a flavorful dredge then pan fried until golden brown.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Pork Chops

The Best Ever (Moist) Meatloaf Recipe

Two thick slices of glazed meatloaf from classic meatloaf recipes are topped with chopped fresh parsley, sitting on a white plate and showcasing a moist, tender interior with a caramelized, slightly crispy exterior. — The Best Ever (Moist) Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This is the best moist Meatloaf Recipe that is easy to follow, flavorful, tender. Made with a sweet ketchup glaze. A classic version.
Get the Recipe: The Best Ever (Moist) Meatloaf Recipe

Old-Fashioned Oxtail Soup Recipe

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and fresh herbs in a clear broth—a comforting classic from old fashioned dinner recipes. — Old-Fashioned Oxtail Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Savor the Best.

This old-fashioned oxtail soup is rich and beefy. The broth is super-flavorful from a long, slow simmer and the flavor of the vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Oxtail Soup Recipe

Gluten-Free 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: Gluten-Free Gumbo

Old Fashioned Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup, made with tender chicken breasts, herbs, and veggies in a flavorful broth, perfect for low-stress, hearty meals.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Juicy Super Flavorful Smothered Pork Chops

This southern smothered pork chops recipe starts with breaded chops which are smothered in a rich, savory, well-seasoned brown gravy.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Super Flavorful Smothered Pork Chops

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

This old fashioned ham Salad recipe makes a quick and easy meal and it is the perfect way to use up leftover ham. Ideal for sandwiches, pasta salads, or as a chip dip.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows