Before dinner came in a paper bag, it came from a pot on the stove or a pan in the oven. These recipes are what home-cooked food looked like when eating out wasn’t the plan. They’re simple, filling, and still show up on tables for good reason. If it fed a family then, it still works now.
My Grandmother's Recipe for Carrot Casserole
My Grandmother’s recipe for carrot cassorole takes 1 hour and involves shredded carrots, breadcrumbs, and eggs. The texture is soft with a little crisp on top. The flavor is gently sweet and earthy. It serves warm and holds together well.
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Traditional Russian Blintzes
Traditional Russian Blintzes take 1 hour and use thin crepes filled with lightly sweetened cheese. The texture is soft and golden with creamy centers. The flavor is simple, comforting, and mildly sweet. They’re best warm but still good later.
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My Grandmother's Peach Swiss Roll (Gluten-Free)
My Grandmother’s Peach Swiss Roll takes 1 hour, including chill time, and uses sponge cake, whipped cream, and peaches. The texture is airy and moist with a creamy swirl. The flavor is fresh, fruity, and light. It slices clean and looks impressive.
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Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht
Vegetarian Ukrainian Borscht takes 1 hour and uses beets, cabbage, carrots, and broth. The texture is brothy with soft vegetables and deep color. The flavor is earthy, tangy, and slightly sweet. It’s filling and gets better by the bowl.
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Beatrice's Icelandic Pickled Beets
Beatrice’s Icelandic Pickled Beets take 30 minutes plus chill time and include beets, vinegar, and sugar. The texture is tender with a slight bite. The flavor is sweet, sharp, and clean. They keep well and go with anything.
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Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls In A Tomato-Raisin Sauce
Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls take 90 minutes and use cabbage leaves, rice, and a tomato-raisin sauce. The texture is soft with tender cabbage and saucy filling. The flavor is sweet, savory, and rich. They reheat well and hold their shape.
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Chicken and Date Casserole
Chicken and Date Casserole takes 1 hour with chicken thighs, dried dates, and a savory broth. The texture is fork-tender with sweet, soft bites throughout. The flavor is rich with mild sweetness from the fruit. It works for dinner and leftovers.
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Fig And Honey Medovik - Russian Honey Cake
Fig and Honey Medovik takes 4 hours and includes honey cake layers, whipped cream, and fig jam. The texture is soft with layers that slice easily. The flavor is floral, nutty, and mellow. It tastes even better the next day.
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Homemade Matzo Ball Soup
Homemade Matzo Ball Soup takes 2 hours with chicken broth, carrots, and matzo meal dumplings. The texture is brothy with tender, fluffy balls. The flavor is mild, savory, and clean. It’s the kind of soup that sticks around.
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Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)
Chicken Colombian Tamales take 2 hours and use masa, chicken, vegetables, and spices wrapped in banana leaves. The texture is dense, soft, and packed with filling. The flavor is bold, smoky, and deeply savory. They hold heat well and freeze easily.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole takes 1 hour and uses cabbage, shredded cheese, and crushed crackers. The texture is creamy inside with a crunchy top. The flavor is mild, salty, and comforting. It’s simple, sturdy, and made for passing around.
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Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe
Classic Jewish Chicken Soup takes 2 hours and uses chicken, carrots, celery, and dill. The broth is clear with soft vegetables and tender meat. The flavor is clean, savory, and soothing. It’s the one you want when you're under the weather or not.
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Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
Lattice Top Apple Pie takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes with apples, cinnamon, and a homemade crust. The filling is soft and syrupy while the crust stays crisp. The flavor is sweet, spiced, and balanced. It’s made for slicing and serving warm or cold.
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One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole takes 1 hour with chicken thighs, potatoes, and a tangy sauce. The texture is tender with golden edges. The flavor is rich, savory, and just a little tangy. It’s a full meal that comes from one dish.
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Buckwheat Kasha With Camarelized Mushrooms And Onions
Buckwheat Kasha takes 45 minutes and uses toasted buckwheat, onions, and mushrooms. The texture is fluffy with soft vegetables mixed in. The flavor is nutty, earthy, and savory. It’s filling and doesn’t need much else.
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Pistachio Fluff Salad
Pistachio Fluff Salad takes 10 minutes and mixes instant pudding, whipped topping, crushed pineapple, and marshmallows. The texture is creamy with soft bites throughout. The flavor is sweet and light with a nutty finish. It’s more dessert than salad, and that’s the point.
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Hot Chipped Beef Dip
Hot Chipped Beef Dip takes 30 minutes and uses dried beef, cream cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. The texture is creamy with salty bits throughout. The flavor is rich, briny, and full of umami. It stays warm and spreads easy.
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Peameal Bacon
Peameal Bacon takes 1 hour and starts with a pork loin coated in cornmeal. The texture is lean and juicy with a crisp edge. The flavor is salty, meaty, and a little sweet. It slices thick and works for breakfast or sandwiches.
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Egg Salad
Egg Salad takes 15 minutes with hard-boiled eggs, mayo, mustard, and a touch of seasoning. The texture is creamy with soft chunks. The flavor is tangy, rich, and familiar. It’s quick, classic, and always ready to spread.
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Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms
Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms takes 40 minutes and includes ground beef patties, mushrooms, and a brown gravy. The texture is tender with a smooth, savory sauce. The flavor is deep, beefy, and a little peppery. It’s made to spoon over mashed potatoes.
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Green Bean Hamburger Casserole
Green Bean Hamburger Casserole takes 1 hour with ground beef, green beans, and a creamy sauce. The texture is soft with crisp topping. The flavor is savory, mild, and familiar. It’s a one-dish wonder that doesn’t overcomplicate dinner.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Slow Cooker Beef Stew takes 6 to 8 hours and uses stew meat, carrots, and broth. The texture is hearty with fall-apart beef and tender vegetables. The flavor is rich and deeply savory. It holds heat and makes the house smell great.
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Grandma's Hearty Offal Stew
Grandma’s Offal Stew takes 4 hours and includes liver, kidney, heart, and vegetables. The texture is soft with bits that melt and others that chew. The flavor is strong, meaty, and nostalgic for some. It’s the kind of stew made to stretch and fill.
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Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe
Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe takes 30 minutes with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and flour. The texture is soft inside with crisp, sugary edges. The flavor is buttery and warm with cinnamon throughout. It’s the cookie that always ends up in the tin.
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Pot Roast with Bacon
Pot Roast with Bacon takes 3 hours and uses chuck roast, bacon, carrots, and onions. The texture is fork-tender with a smoky, rich sauce. The flavor is deep, salty, and savory from the bacon. It’s a Sunday dinner that tastes better on Monday.
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