19 Classic Recipes You Miss From Grandma’s That No One Makes Anymore

Some recipes are more than just food, they are part of family history. These dishes were once regulars at grandma’s table, but have quietly disappeared from everyday cooking. They carry the flavors, methods, and care that defined an earlier era of home kitchens. This list of 19 brings them back, reminding us what’s worth preserving in the meals we make.

A plate of scrambled eggs garnished with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream, presented on a rustic wooden table as part of classic Passover recipes. — Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Bosnian Pita Pie

Cheesy cinnamon rolls in a white baking dish. — Bosnian Pita Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Bosnian Pita Pie is one of those classic recipes you miss from grandma’s that no one makes anymore, even though it’s perfect for family gatherings. Layers of tender dough encase a flavorful filling, making it hearty enough for a main dish. It’s the kind of food that took time and care, something often missing in modern kitchens. Bringing it back is like putting a piece of shared history back on the table.
Get the Recipe: Bosnian Pita Pie

Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe

A white bowl filled with clear chicken soup, containing pieces of chicken and garnished with a sprig of dill offers a modern twist on retro one-pot classics. The bowl is placed on a white plate with a slice of brown bread resting on the plate's edge. A metal spoon is in the bowl, and a gray napkin is partially visible. — Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe is a comforting bowl that once defined weekend meals and holiday gatherings. This classic recipe features slow-simmered chicken, vegetables, and herbs that filled the kitchen with an unmistakable aroma. It was a staple for both nourishment and tradition, yet it’s often skipped today for faster meals. Reviving it means restoring one of the most cherished flavors from the past.
Get the Recipe: Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes

Roasted chicken with parsley and potatoes on a plate. — Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes is a hearty, one-pan meal that fits perfectly among classic recipes you miss from grandma’s. Tender chicken and potatoes baked together made weeknight dinners simple but deeply flavorful. It’s a dish that brought comfort without complication, yet it’s been replaced by quicker, less personal options. Restoring it to the menu is a reminder of how satisfying simple cooking can be.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Overhead view of olivier salad with two egg halves. — Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) is a staple among classic recipes that has almost vanished from modern home cooking. A mix of potatoes, vegetables, and a creamy dressing made it a must-have for gatherings. It was the kind of dish that connected generations around the same table. Serving it again keeps those traditions alive for the next one.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk

Two pieces of cooked ripe plantain in brown syrup are served on a white plate with a spoon beside them. The surface below the plate is white with faint marbling. — Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk is a dessert that was once a regular finish to grandma’s comforting meals. This classic recipe pairs naturally sweet plantains with creamy coconut milk for a simple but memorable treat. It disappeared from many kitchens as tastes shifted toward store-bought sweets. Cooking it again brings back a gentle reminder of slower, more intentional times.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Plantains in Coconut Milk

Chicken Marbella

Chicken Marbella is a standout among classic recipes you miss from grandma’s that no one makes anymore. With chicken baked alongside prunes, olives, and herbs, it was both hearty and flavorful enough for special occasions. Its careful preparation made it a centerpiece worth gathering around. Making it today is a way to reclaim a sense of occasion in home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

A plate of pasta with mushrooms and sprigs of dill. — Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel belongs to the group of baked classic recipes that anchored holiday and weekend meals. The combination of pasta, vegetables, and creamy richness made it both filling and familiar. Over time, casseroles like this have faded from regular meal planning. Putting it back on the table reconnects family meals with the past.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

My Grandma's Russian Jewish Carrot Tzimmes

A white plate filled with cooked sliced carrots and prunes, with a fork on the side. — My Grandma's Russian Jewish Carrot Tzimmes. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

My Grandma's Russian Jewish Carrot Tzimmes is a classic recipe tied to holidays and family gatherings. Slowly cooked carrots with dried fruits and honey created a dish that balanced sweet and savory. It’s one of those meals where flavor and tradition are inseparable. Making it now is like opening a direct line back to grandma’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: My Grandma's Russian Jewish Carrot Tzimmes

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

A white bowl of soup with a spoon and basil. — Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup is a slow-cooked classic recipe that once marked the colder months. With hearty beans and deep seasoning, it could stand as the main meal. Modern kitchens often skip recipes that require long cooking times, and this one has suffered the same fate. Bringing it back adds both nourishment and heritage to the table.
Get the Recipe: Pasulj Serbian White Bean Soup

Homemade Matzo Ball Soup

Close up on 3 matzo balls in soup. — Homemade Matzo Ball Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Homemade Matzo Ball Soup is a timeless comfort and one of the most enduring classic recipes you could find in grandma’s kitchen. Tender dumplings in a rich broth made it more than just soup—it was a tradition. It has quietly slipped from everyday cooking in many homes. Serving it again revives both the flavor and the meaning behind it.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Matzo Ball Soup

Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

A slice of bread pudding on a decorative plate with a fork, topped with whipped cream. A baking dish with more bread pudding and a small bowl of cream with a spoon are in the background. A brown cloth is partially visible on the side. — Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins is a baked dessert that belongs firmly among the classic recipes you miss from grandma’s. Rich noodles, custard, and plump raisins made it stand out from ordinary sweets. It was often part of celebrations, yet has disappeared from most home menus. Making it again turns any meal into a special event.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cognac-Soaked Raisins

Pouding Chomeur With Homemade Date Syrup

A bowl of ice cream and oranges on a blue tablecloth. — Pouding Chomeur With Homemade Date Syrup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Pouding Chomeur With Homemade Date Syrup is a resourceful and flavorful classic recipe that deserves another turn in the kitchen. Its soft cake soaked in syrup made it both comforting and memorable. Originating from a time of simple ingredients and creative cooking, it has faded with changing tastes. Baking it now can transform an ordinary evening into something worth remembering.
Get the Recipe: Pouding Chomeur With Homemade Date Syrup

Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes are a breakfast classic that many remember from grandma’s weekend mornings. Crisp on the outside and soft inside, they were often served with jam or cream. Their simplicity and speed made them a practical favorite that’s largely disappeared from modern breakfasts. Bringing them back is like reclaiming a slow, comforting start to the day.
Get the Recipe: Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah)

Matzo brei on two plates with parsely. — Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah) is one of the classic recipes that turned pantry staples into something memorable. Fried with eggs, it was both filling and meaningful in tradition. It’s a food that carries stories through generations, but is rarely cooked now. Making it again is a way to keep those stories part of everyday life.
Get the Recipe: Classic Matzo Brei Recipe (Eggy Fried Matzah)

Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)

Colombian tamales on a plate. — Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano) stand out among classic recipes for the way they bring families together in both preparation and eating. Filled with seasoned chicken and vegetables, then wrapped and steamed, they took time but were worth it. Their labor-intensive process has kept them from modern meal plans. Reviving them can make dinner feel like a shared celebration again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken plov on a plate with a fork. — Chicken And Rice Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Chicken And Rice Casserole is a weeknight classic recipe that balances flavor, comfort, and convenience. Baked in one dish, it made feeding the family both easy and wholesome. Over time, it’s been replaced by quick-fix options. Bringing it back restores a sense of completeness to dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole

Potato Leek Soup

Two bowls of soup with dill on a wooden cutting board. — Potato Leek Soup. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Potato Leek Soup is one of those classic recipes you miss from grandma’s that was perfect for cold evenings. Smooth and hearty, it paired well with bread for a simple meal. It’s often overlooked today for flashier recipes. Serving it again is like slowing down and enjoying food the way it was meant to be.
Get the Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Overhead view of apple pie with apples. — Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie is a dessert classic that finished many of Grandma’s best meals. With a flaky crust and cinnamon-kissed apples, it was the centerpiece of the dessert table. Store-bought pies may have replaced it, but they can’t match the tradition baked into every bite. Making it today reconnects dessert with memory and meaning.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Fig And Honey Medovik - Russian Honey Cake

A cream-covered layer cake adorned with pomegranate seeds and figs is displayed on a table. — Fig And Honey Medovik - Russian Honey Cake. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Fig And Honey Medovik - Russian Honey Cake is one of those labor-of-love classic recipes you rarely see made at home anymore. Its delicate layers and naturally sweet filling speak to the kind of care that grandma put into special desserts. It held a place of honor at celebrations, bringing everyone to the table. Baking it again can make any occasion feel timeless.
Get the Recipe: Fig And Honey Medovik - Russian Honey Cake