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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    We Grew Up Eating These 20 Foods—Kids Today Can’t Believe It

    Published: Mar 3, 2026 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Some foods were simply part of growing up, you didn’t question them, you just ate what was on your plate. Looking back, it’s hard not to notice how much tastes and expectations have changed. These are the foods many of us ate without a single complaint, even though kids today might raise an eyebrow—or refuse them altogether.

    Cheesy Ham & Potato Bake Kids Remember

    A spoon full of ham casserole.
    Baked Ham Cheese & Potato Casserole (No Canned Soup) . Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This creamy ham and potato casserole brings back memories of family dinners. Loaded with cheese and tender ham, it’s comfort food at its finest.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Ham Cheese & Potato Casserole (No Canned Soup) 

    Retro Cheddar Pea Salad Everyone Loved

    A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl.
    Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    A creamy, crunchy pea salad straight from childhood potlucks. Cheddar cheese adds a nostalgic twist that keeps everyone coming back for more.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese

    Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

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

    Layered scalloped potatoes with ham and Gruyere bring back dinner table memories. Creamy, cheesy, and irresistible, it’s a retro favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham with Gruyere

    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Kids Loved

    A close-up of a black bowl filled with seasoned chicken and vegetable casserole. The dish includes chunks of bread or biscuit-like pieces, carrots, green peas, and chicken, all garnished with fresh herbs. A fork is partially visible, resting on the rim of the bowl.
    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Biscuit Crumbles. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This chicken pot pie casserole tastes just like grandma’s classic. Layers of chicken, veggies, and creamy sauce topped with biscuit crumbs make it unforgettable.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Biscuit Crumbles

    Green Bean & Potato Salad from the Past

    A platter of green bean and potato salad.
    Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This salad pairs tender green beans and new potatoes with a sweet honey vinaigrette. A fresh, nostalgic side that complements any retro meal.
    Get the Recipe: Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

    Classic Carrot Salad with Raisins

    A bowl of carrot raisin salad with a serving spoon.
    Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This sweet and tangy carrot salad brings back lunchbox memories. Shredded carrots with raisins make it a retro side everyone loved.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Salad with Raisins

    Sweet & Spicy Honey Harissa Carrots

    Honey Harissa Carrots. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    These honey harissa carrots balance sweetness with a spicy kick. A simple roasted side that feels like a blast from the past.
    Get the Recipe: Honey Harissa Carrots

    Golden Hashbrown Casserole Memories

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

    This cheesy hashbrown casserole is a retro breakfast and dinner favorite. Cornflakes on top bring back childhood comfort food vibes.
    Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole with Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

    Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings Classic

    Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This slow-cooked chicken and dumplings recipe tastes just like grandma made. Soft dumplings and creamy sauce make it a timeless comfort dish.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crock Pot Chicken And Dumplings

    Ambrosia Fruit Salad Nostalgic Treat

    Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Marshmallows – No Cool Whip. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This ambrosia salad is a sweet, fruity classic from childhood gatherings. Marshmallows and coconut bring the perfect nostalgic flavor.
    Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Marshmallows – No Cool Whip

    Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole Throwback

    Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole (No Canned Soup). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This tuna noodle casserole is creamy, cheesy, and deeply nostalgic. Perfect for family dinners just like in the good old days.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole (No Canned Soup)

    Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon Crunch

    A casserole dish of mashed sweet potato casserole with bourbon.
    Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This sweet potato casserole combines bourbon flavor with crispy bacon and pecans. A classic holiday dish kids remember from family dinners.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Bacon

    Classic Maine Lobster Rolls We Loved

    Classic Maine Lobster Rolls. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

    Tender lobster in a buttery bun takes you back to seaside picnics. A lightly dressed classic that’s still unforgettable.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Maine Lobster Rolls

    Peas & Carrots with Bright Lemon Dressing

    Peas and Carrots with Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Fresh peas and carrots tossed in a tangy lemon dressing feel straight out of childhood dinners. A quick side that’s both nostalgic and bright.
    Get the Recipe: Peas and Carrots with Lemon Dressing

    Sausage Gravy Like Grandma Made

    A plate of flaky biscuits smothered in savory sausage gravy sits beside a cup of coffee on the table. A fork rests on the plate, and a white napkin lies next to the cup. The background has a soft focus.
    Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This creamy, sausage-filled gravy will take you back to childhood breakfasts. Serve it over biscuits for a dish kids today might not recognize.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sausage Gravy

    Cheesy Broccoli Casserole From Scratch

    Broccoli Casserole with Homemade Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This cheesy broccoli casserole is made without any cans, just fresh ingredients. Kids today will be amazed by this classic side dish’s rich flavor.
    Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole with Homemade Cheese Sauce

    Tall Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits

    Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

    These tall, layered biscuits are soft, buttery, and irresistible. They’re a childhood favorite that kids today might find hard to believe existed.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

    Homemade Green Bean Casserole

    Creamy Green Bean Casserole without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This green bean casserole skips the cans but keeps all the creamy goodness. It’s a nostalgic dish kids today won’t have seen before.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole without Canned Soup

    Classic Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

    Old Fashioned Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This slow-cooked chicken noodle soup is comforting and full of fresh flavors. Kids today may be surprised by this timeless family favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

    Baked Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

    Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This rich casserole combines biscuits, gravy, cheese, and eggs all in one dish. It’s a breakfast classic that today’s kids might find hard to imagine.
    Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

    Remember These? 14 American Foods That Are Quietly Falling Out of Favor

    A collage of four dishes—foods still alive in small town America: apple salad with raisins and walnuts, creamy mushroom noodles, a skillet casserole topped with potato chips, and roast beef with brown gravy and carrots.

    From comforting classics to convenience foods that ruled past decades, these American favorites are quietly disappearing from everyday menus. Some may spark nostalgia, others curiosity—but all raise the same question: do people still eat these anymore?
    Grab it here: Remember These? 14 American Foods That Are Quietly Falling Out of Favor

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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