Dinner tables used to look a lot different—these are the recipes that once ruled them. From weeknight staples to weekend must-makes, these 17 forgotten dishes were the best back then but just couldn’t keep up with changing habits and time limits. They fell out of favor as prep times got shorter and new trends took over. But if you're feeling nostalgic for what used to work, these are the ones worth remembering.
Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah)
Classic Matzo Brei is one of those forgotten dishes that used to define holiday mornings and last-minute dinners. Made from matzah and eggs, this simple fried recipe was once a go-to comfort food that’s faded from most kitchens. It’s fast, filling, and easy to make with pantry basics, yet it's been quietly replaced by trendier breakfast-for-dinner options. Not many forgotten dishes make a return trip to the stovetop—this one deserves it.
Get the Recipe: Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah)
Russian Piroshki
Russian Piroshki are classic handheld meals that used to be tucked into lunchboxes before fast food took over. These golden, stuffed buns are one of the great forgotten dishes that filled families up without fancy ingredients. Now they’re rarely made from scratch, even though they freeze well and work as dinner or a snack. These forgotten dishes were once weekday heroes with real staying power.
Get the Recipe: Russian Piroshki
Arepas de Choclo
Arepas de Choclo are sweet corn pancakes with melted cheese that used to be everywhere but have slipped into the list of forgotten dishes. They’re quick, versatile, and packed with flavor, once a staple for breakfast or dinner in many households. Like many forgotten dishes, they were replaced by processed snacks and breakfast bars. You don’t need much to bring these back into rotation.
Get the Recipe: Arepas de Choclo
Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins
Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins is the kind of dish that defined holiday meals but quietly joined the ranks of forgotten dishes. Its sweet, baked flavor and creamy texture made it a favorite that disappeared when savory casseroles took over. Forgotten dishes like this made gatherings feel like something to look forward to. It’s not trendy, but it still holds up.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins
Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese is a perfect example of forgotten dishes that used to solve the Passover dinner dilemma with creativity. Layered like traditional lasagna but made with matzo and cottage cheese, this was once a pantry solution that felt special. Forgotten dishes like this faded with time, replaced by flashier casseroles and shortcuts. It’s still worth making when the holidays roll around.
Get the Recipe: Matzo Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Apple Potato Latkes With Curried Yogurt Sauce
Apple Potato Latkes With Curried Yogurt Sauce blend familiar flavors in a dish that once saw more table time but has since become one of many forgotten dishes. It’s simple enough to make but takes more attention than today’s average side dish. Forgotten dishes like this one brought balance—crispy, sweet, and spiced in a way that didn’t need fixing. These don’t need a holiday to belong at dinner again.
Get the Recipe: Apple Potato Latkes With Curried Yogurt Sauce
Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver
Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver was once the pride of many family spreads but has become one of the most overlooked forgotten dishes. Made with just a few basic ingredients, it packed in protein and nostalgia. Most people don’t bother with it now, but like other forgotten dishes, it brought a sense of occasion to even the smallest gatherings. It’s worth pulling out the food processor for this one.
Get the Recipe: Classic Jewish Chopped Chicken Liver
Bosnian Pita Pie
Bosnian Pita Pie is one of those forgotten dishes that took time and care to make—and that’s probably why it faded. Rolled by hand and filled with hearty vegetables or cheese, this layered pie was once a sign of kitchen pride. Now, most home cooks skip it for pre-made pastry or frozen meals, but forgotten dishes like this one brought real comfort to the table. It’s worth remembering for the smell alone when it bakes.
Get the Recipe: Bosnian Pita Pie
Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup
Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup is a slow-cooked pot of comfort that defined winter dinners in many homes but now joins the list of forgotten dishes. It’s made with beans, a few vegetables, and a little time—no trendy shortcuts. Like other forgotten dishes, it was built for simplicity, nourishment, and leftovers. This one warms the house and the memory.
Get the Recipe: Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup
Beatrice's Icelandic Pickled Beets
Beatrice’s Icelandic Pickled Beets are one of those forgotten dishes that once lived in every fridge and accompanied nearly every meal. Tangy, bright, and meant to stretch the life of fresh produce, these beets were a regular side before packaged salads took over. Like many forgotten dishes, they reflect a slower approach to mealtime and kitchen routines. A jar of these in the fridge still feels like someone planned ahead.
Get the Recipe: Beatrice's Icelandic Pickled Beets
Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)
Chicken Colombian Tamales used to be wrapped with care and saved for special occasions, making them a standout among forgotten dishes. Steamed in banana leaves and packed with seasoned meat and masa, they once symbolized togetherness and time spent in the kitchen. Now, they’ve become too time-consuming for most, left behind for packaged or pre-made meals. Forgotten dishes like this one tell stories you can still taste.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)
Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls In A Tomato-Raisin Sauce
Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls in a Tomato-Raisin Sauce are a classic example of forgotten dishes that used to feed a crowd on a budget. They’re labor-intensive but hearty, made for the kind of Sunday night dinners that left leftovers. Now, with grab-and-go meals ruling the kitchen, forgotten dishes like this often lose out. Still, nothing replaces the feeling of pulling a bubbling tray of these from the oven.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls In A Tomato-Raisin Sauce
Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel
Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel is a baked dish that once kept dinners hearty and reliable, now barely remembered among today’s instant meals. Like other forgotten dishes, it had staying power because it fed everyone and reheated well. The earthy mushrooms and soft pasta layers were a comfort before people leaned on delivery apps. It’s the kind of bake that still deserves a spot in the weekly plan.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel
Jerusalem Kugel
Jerusalem Kugel is one of those forgotten dishes that made weeknights easier but got buried under decades of diet trends. A sweet and peppery noodle bake, it sat proudly on tables for generations. Like many forgotten dishes, it disappeared when people started skipping carbs and shortcutting dinner. Its flavor is bold, its ingredients are humble, and it never needed updating.
Get the Recipe: Jerusalem Kugel
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Russian Potato Salad was once a star at family parties and potlucks, but like many forgotten dishes, it’s been pushed aside for flashier sides. Loaded with vegetables and creamy dressing, this chilled salad kept weeknight dinners simple and filling. It’s the kind of forgotten dish that used to stretch ingredients and serve a crowd without breaking the budget. You’ll wonder why this one isn’t still in regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
My Grandma's Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon
My Grandma's Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon was once a way to stretch ingredients and show off patience in the kitchen, but now it’s one of those forgotten dishes that’s been replaced by store-bought versions. With only a few ingredients and a little wait time, it used to be a staple on brunch tables. Forgotten dishes like this one reflect care and routine that’s hard to find in today’s rushed meals. There’s something grounding about preparing food that takes more than a single click.
Get the Recipe: My Grandma's Recipe for Russian Cured Salmon
Cottage Cheese Blintzes
Cottage Cheese Blintzes were once a special weekend treat, now left behind like many forgotten dishes that just take a little extra time. Filled, rolled, and pan-fried until golden, these were standard for brunch before the frozen waffle era. They’re easy enough to pull off with a bit of prep, but like most forgotten dishes, they just don’t show up on modern menus. This one still feels like a reward every time.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Blintzes
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