Some American dishes are classics, while others are stranger than you remember—but still just as good. These 17 recipes bring back flavors that might seem unexpected today but have stood the test of time. From quirky casseroles to surprising desserts, these dishes highlight the bold and creative side of American cooking. Bringing them back is a fun way to revisit familiar favorites with a twist.
Pecan French Toast Casserole
French toast casseroles became a household favorite for their convenience and rich flavors, and this pecan version takes it a step further. The sweet, nutty topping reflects the era’s love for making breakfast feel more like dessert. Baking everything together eliminated the need for flipping individual slices, making mornings easier. Bringing it back means celebrating a time when breakfasts were bold, sweet, and effortlessly satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pecan French Toast Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts
Sweet potatoes have long been a staple, but adding hazelnuts gives this dish an unexpected twist. This version reimagines the Thanksgiving classic with a crunchy topping that stands out. The balance of sweetness and texture makes it a nostalgic yet slightly unconventional holiday dish. Revisiting this recipe is a reminder of how simple ingredients can create something surprisingly bold.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Hazelnuts
Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread
Pumpkin spice banana bread is a playful mashup of two American classics that weren’t always paired together. The comforting notes of banana bread blend with the spice-filled warmth of pumpkin, making it both familiar and unexpected. This combination captures the essence of fall while standing out as a quirky fusion of flavors. Serving this bread is like revisiting two nostalgic treats in one satisfying slice.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread
Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles
Spicy garlic dill pickles turn a classic American snack into something unexpectedly bold. The mix of heat from chilies and the tang of dill creates a punchy contrast that isn’t found in your average pickle jar. Pickling traditions have always had their quirks, and this version adds a surprising kick. These pickles prove that even the simplest foods can take an unexpected turn.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles
Savory French Toast Casserole with Bacon
Sweet and savory combinations have defined American breakfasts for decades, and this casserole embodies that contrast. Baking everything together means no flipping, making it a practical choice for big-batch breakfasts. The addition of bacon plays into the love for bold, salty flavors paired with sweetness. Bringing it back means reviving an era when breakfast embraced both indulgence and convenience.
Get the Recipe: Savory French Toast Casserole with Bacon
Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Fried cheese curds are a quirky Midwestern favorite that might seem strange to those outside the region. Their crispy exterior and gooey center make them impossible to resist, and using an air fryer gives them a modern touch. This snack embraces the playful side of American food traditions with its contrast of textures. Recreating this dish is a fun way to honor a regional classic that’s full of personality.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Cheese Curds
Carrot Soufflé
A dish that turns carrots into a soft, lightly sweetened soufflé might not be what most people expect. This light and airy side dish has been passed down through generations, often surprising newcomers with its dessert-like texture. It’s a perfect example of how American cooking has transformed simple vegetables into something entirely unexpected. Revisiting this dish is like uncovering a forgotten treat with a surprising twist.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Soufflé
Salisbury Steak in the Slow Cooker
Salisbury steak was a mid-century staple, found everywhere from home kitchens to frozen TV dinners. The combination of beef patties and rich brown gravy made it a go-to for its heartiness and simplicity. This slow-cooked version captures the ease and convenience that made it such a defining dish. Bringing it back means embracing the comforting flavors that once defined American home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak in the Slow Cooker
Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins
Noodles, raisins, and a creamy base come together in this classic dish that might seem unusual at first glance. Sweet kugels have been a staple at gatherings for generations, balancing soft, eggy noodles with unexpected sweetness. The addition of cognac-soaked raisins gives it an extra layer of richness, making it a dish that surprises and satisfies. Reviving this recipe brings back a nostalgic favorite with a bold, slightly offbeat twist.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping
Cabbage may not be the first thing that comes to mind for a comforting, cheesy dish, but this casserole proves otherwise. Layers of soft cabbage, melted cheese, and a crisp cracker topping make for a combination that’s both strange and familiar. This dish highlights the resourcefulness of mid-century kitchens, where nothing went to waste. Bringing it back gives a fresh appreciation for the unexpected ways cabbage can be transformed.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping
PB&J Smoothie Bowl
Peanut butter and jelly has always been a staple, but turning it into a smoothie bowl takes it in an unexpected direction. This version blends strawberries and peanut butter into a thick, spoonable base that transforms a classic sandwich into a modern snack. It’s both nostalgic and slightly unconventional, offering a fresh way to enjoy familiar flavors. Bringing this dish back gives a childhood favorite a fun, updated spin.
Get the Recipe: PB&J Smoothie Bowl
Grasshopper Pie
Bright green and filled with mint-chocolate flavor, grasshopper pie is a retro dessert that feels just as playful as it does nostalgic. This no-bake treat became a party favorite thanks to its eye-catching color and creamy texture. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people pause before taking a bite—but keeps them coming back for more. Bringing it back means embracing a dessert that’s just as bold in flavor as it is in looks.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Pie
Hot Chipped Beef Dip
A rich, creamy dip made from dried beef might not be what most people expect at a party, but it has stood the test of time. This retro dish has been a staple at gatherings for decades, balancing saltiness with smooth, cheesy texture. Served with crackers or vegetables, it’s one of those appetizers that surprises guests in the best way. Revisiting this recipe is like unlocking a hidden gem of American entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chipped Beef Dip
Tomato Soup Cake
Using canned tomato soup in a cake might sound strange, but this Depression-era recipe has been around for generations. The unexpected ingredient adds moisture while blending seamlessly with the warm spices in the batter. What started as a creative way to work with pantry staples has become a nostalgic dessert with a surprisingly rich flavor. Baking this cake is like taking a step back in time to an era of ingenuity and resourcefulness.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Soup Cake
Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries
The combination of pork chops and applesauce has been an American classic for years, but adding blackberries gives it an unexpected twist. The mix of sweet and savory flavors reflects the experimental nature of mid-century cooking. It’s quick to prepare, making it an easy way to bring a nostalgic dish back to the table. Reviving this recipe is like giving an old favorite a fresh new perspective.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries
French Onion Salisbury Steak
Salisbury steak was already a defining dish of American comfort food, but this version takes it in a bolder direction. Caramelized onions and a rich, savory gravy turn it into a mashup of French onion soup and classic ground beef patties. The result is both familiar and unexpected, making it perfect for revisiting a retro favorite with a new flair. Bringing it back means blending two nostalgic dishes into something even better.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Salisbury Steak
Lime Jello Salad
Lime Jello salad is a reminder of an era when food was as much about presentation as it was about flavor. Bright green, slightly tangy, and filled with unexpected add-ins, it’s one of the strangest yet most nostalgic American potluck dishes. The contrast of textures makes it both memorable and slightly puzzling to first-timers. Reviving this dish is like stepping back into a time when food was bold, playful, and undeniably unique.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad
Tell Me What You Think!