We Grew Up on These 21 Foods—Kids Today Are Officially Over Them

There was a time when no one questioned these foods, they showed up at breakfast, packed lunches, weeknight dinners, and school cafeterias without a second thought. We ate them happily, sometimes daily, and never imagined they’d one day be controversial. But mention them to kids today, and you’ll likely get a side-eye, a hard “no,” or a look of genuine concern. From outdated snacks to meals that feel frozen in another era, these foods were once everyday staples—and now they’re practically extinct at the kids’ table.

Million Dollar Chicken—So Very 1975

A serving spoon in a casserole dish of million dollar chicken. — Million Dollar Chicken Casserole With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy, cracker-topped chicken casserole once ruled weeknight dinners and church potlucks alike. We couldn’t get enough of it growing up—but today’s kids might call it “too much.”
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken—So Very 1975

Ham & Spaghetti Bake We Loved

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

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This budget-friendly ham and spaghetti casserole was peak comfort in the 70s and 80s. Back then it felt practical and filling—now it’s the kind of combo that raises eyebrows at the table.
Get the Recipe: Ham & Spaghetti Bake We Loved

Bread Salad That Ruled Potlucks

Bread Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Tossed with tomatoes, basil, and olives, this retro bread salad felt fancy at every backyard gathering. These days, carb-heavy salads just don’t hit the same for younger crowds.
Get the Recipe: Bread Salad That Ruled Potlucks

Buffalo Tot Bake From Our Childhood

A serving being taken from a chicken casserole. — Buffalo Chicken Casserole With Tater Tots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy tater tots and creamy buffalo chicken once felt like the ultimate mashup dinner. It’s bold and nostalgic, even if today’s kids would rather order takeout.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Tot Bake From Our Childhood

Poppy Seed Chicken We Grew Up On

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

This creamy, cracker-crusted chicken casserole was a staple at family reunions and church suppers. It’s pure comfort from another era—though it’s rarely on Gen Z’s radar.
Get the Recipe: Poppy Seed Chicken We Grew Up On

Cornflake Potatoes of the 70s

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

Gooey hashbrowns topped with crunchy cornflakes were once the height of holiday side dishes. We lined up for seconds—now the cereal topping feels like a blast from the past.
Get the Recipe: Cornflake Potatoes of the 70s

Broccoli Cheese Bake Mom Made

A spoon full of cheesy broccoli casserole in a baking dish. — Broccoli Casserole With Homemade Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Smothered in creamy cheese sauce, this broccoli bake convinced us we liked vegetables. Today’s kids tend to prefer their greens a little less casserole-style.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Bake Mom Made

Cordon Bleu Bake We Thought Fancy

A spoon full of chicken cordon bleu casserole. — Cheesy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole With Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ham, Swiss, and chicken layered together once felt downright sophisticated at home. It’s a rich retro favorite that doesn’t always win over modern tastes.
Get the Recipe: Cordon Bleu Bake We Thought Fancy

Cranberry Pretzel Salad Era

A slice of layered dessert with a pretzel crust, white creamy middle, red gelatin top, topped with whipped cream, two cherries, and a small pretzel. A bowl of cherries is visible in the background. — Cranberry Pretzel Salad. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

This sweet-and-salty layered Jell-O salad was the star of every holiday spread. We loved the quirky combo—kids today might just scroll past it.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pretzel Salad Era

Mashed Potato Bake Sundays Meant

A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes. — Sunday Table Mashed Potato Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Twice-baked style mashed potatoes in casserole form defined Sunday dinners for many of us. Extra creamy and extra cheesy, it’s comfort food younger generations rarely request.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Bake Sundays Meant

Frito Taco Bake We Devoured

A spoon removing a scoop of cheesy taco casserole. — Easy Taco Casserole With Fritos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crunchy Fritos layered with seasoned beef and cheese made this casserole unforgettable. It tasted like pure fun back then—even if it feels a little over-the-top now.
Get the Recipe: Frito Taco Bake We Devoured

Spaghetti Beef Bake of the 70s

Cheese being pulled from a pot of spaghetti with two spoons. — Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Layered with beef, noodles, and plenty of melted cheese, this bake powered countless weeknights. It’s hearty nostalgia in a pan, even if lighter dinners are trending now.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Beef Bake of the 70s

Broccoli Rice Bake We Knew

A broccoli rice casserole in a skillet. — Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy rice and broccoli baked together was once a dependable dinner-table side. It still delivers comfort, though modern menus rarely spotlight it.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Bake We Knew

Seven-Layer Salad With All the Mayo

A bowl of 7 layer salad next to a serving spoon. — Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Stacked with peas, cheese, and a thick mayo layer, this salad defined potluck culture. We grew up scooping generous portions—today it’s more of a conversation starter.
Get the Recipe: Seven-Layer Salad With All the Mayo

Chicken & Wild Rice Like Grandma’s

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

Creamy sauce, wild rice, and toasted almonds made this casserole feel hearty and wholesome. It filled our childhood plates, even if it’s no longer a weeknight regular.
Get the Recipe: Chicken & Wild Rice Like Grandma’s

Ambrosia Salad We Loved, Kids Skip Now

ambrosia salad in a white bowl. — Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Coconut, marshmallows, and canned fruit once made this pastel bowl the star of every holiday table. We couldn’t scoop it fast enough—now it’s the dish kids politely pass without a second glance.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Salad We Loved, Kids Skip Now

Tuna Noodle Casserole Kids Won’t Touch

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

Crunchy chips on top and creamy tuna noodles underneath made this a weeknight staple in so many homes. Today’s kids aren’t sold on the combo—but one bite might remind you why it kept showing up on the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole Kids Won’t Touch

Corn & Ham Bake We Grew Up On

A serving spoon in a corn casserole. — Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet corn, salty ham, and creamy cheese baked into one cozy casserole defined comfort food for an entire generation. It was once a potluck favorite—now it feels like a time capsule from grandma’s buffet.
Get the Recipe: Corn & Ham Bake We Grew Up On

Spiced Fruit Salad That Confuses Kids

A bowl of spicy fruit salad with wooden spoon. — Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Back then, adding spice to fruit felt bold and sophisticated at family gatherings. These days, the unexpected flavor twist is enough to make younger eaters reach for something safer.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Fruit Salad That Confuses Kids

Ham & Potato Casserole We Miss

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

Layers of diced ham, tender potatoes, and melted cheese once meant dinner was going to be filling and fuss-free. It’s the kind of hearty bake we devoured growing up, even if it doesn’t top today’s trending food lists.
Get the Recipe: Ham & Potato Casserole We Miss

Tex-Mex Squash Bake Kids Side-Eye

A serving spoon scooping out squash casserole. — Tex Mex Summer Squash Casserole With A Kick!. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cheesy squash, zesty tomatoes, and crushed tortilla chips once made this casserole the boldest dish on the table. It’s a flavorful blast from the past that younger generations aren’t quite sure what to do with.
Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Squash Bake Kids Side-Eye

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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