Some meals were once staples in nearly every household but have faded over time, pushed aside by newer, faster options. These 25 forgotten dishes were once dependable go-to meals, bringing families together around the table. Whether baked, slow-cooked, or simmered on the stove, they were meals that required simple ingredients and minimal effort. Bringing them back is a way to revive flavors that defined home cooking for generations.
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole
This casserole, made with layers of tender cabbage, melted cheese, and a crunchy topping, was once a comforting meal found at family gatherings and potlucks. Rich flavors and simple ingredients made it a favorite before it faded from the spotlight. As modern recipes take over, baked dishes like this have been forgotten by many. Reviving it brings back a piece of American cooking history.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole
Mushroom Leek Kugel
Kugel was more than just a side—it was a tradition passed down through generations. With tender noodles, earthy mushrooms, and a rich sauce, this dish was made without recipes because it was already memorized. It was the kind of food that showed up at family gatherings and holiday tables year after year. This is one of those casseroles that deserves a second chance at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Kugel
Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole
This one-pan meal combines ground beef, zucchini, and rice for a dish that once defined American comfort food. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, it was a staple in many households. Everything bakes together into a hearty, satisfying meal that requires minimal effort. Dishes like this remind us of the flavors that once filled family dinner tables.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole
Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage rolls were a staple in many kitchens, slowly simmering on the stove for hours until they were just right. Stuffed with rice and vegetables and wrapped in a rich tomato sauce, they were a way to make something filling without needing fancy ingredients. It was a meal that could stretch to feed a crowd, something every Boomer generation household knew well. This is the kind of casserole that made dinner feel like an occasion.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls
Chicken Hash Brown Casserole
Crispy hash browns, tender chicken, and creamy layers make this casserole a go-to meal from a time when baked dishes ruled the dinner table. Whether served for breakfast or dinner, it was a household favorite that required little effort. As easy casseroles became less trendy, dishes like this faded from conversation. Bringing it back means rediscovering the simple meals that once made cooking effortless.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole
One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
There was a time when a hearty chicken and potato bake was a weekly staple in every Boomer household. This version keeps that tradition alive with buttermilk-marinated chicken for tenderness and crispy roasted potatoes for texture. It’s the kind of no-fuss meal that came together quickly but always delivered. This dish brings back the kind of comfort that made dinnertime a daily event, not just another task.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
Chicken Pot Pie
A flaky, golden crust filled with creamy chicken and vegetables made pot pie a dinnertime staple. The rich, hearty filling was a comforting way to serve a complete meal in one dish. Once found in every American kitchen, it has since been replaced by quicker meals. Revisiting this dish is a reminder of the flavors that defined classic home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie
Grasshopper Pie
Grasshopper pie was a 1970s party favorite, known for its minty flavor and bright green color. Made with a chocolate crust and creamy filling, it was a dessert that stood out at potlucks and special gatherings. No-bake desserts like this became more common as convenience foods became a bigger part of American kitchens. Bringing it back is a fun way to celebrate the colorful desserts of the past.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Pie
Chicken Divan
Chicken casseroles were a common sight in 1975 kitchens, and Chicken Divan was one of the most popular. The combination of tender chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce made it a reliable dinner option. Baked dishes like this were served at everything from family meals to dinner parties. Making it today is a way to revisit a dish that made its mark on mid-century American cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes were a dinner classic in 1975, known for their rich, messy, and flavorful beef filling. This version keeps the familiar taste while making it a bit lighter for modern kitchens. Served on a soft bun, this was a meal that kids and adults alike looked forward to. Bringing it back today is a way to enjoy a meal that has stood the test of time.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati chili, with its unique blend of spices and tomato-based sauce, was once a well-known Midwestern favorite. Whether served over spaghetti or piled onto hot dogs, it was a go-to meal that set itself apart from traditional chili. Over the years, regional dishes like this have lost their nationwide recognition. Cooking it again is a great way to revisit a forgotten American classic.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
Cornbread Stuffing
A mix of crumbled cornbread, bacon, and vegetables made this stuffing a staple for holiday meals and large family gatherings. While once essential, traditional stuffing recipes have taken a backseat to newer variations. The classic combination of flavors and textures makes it one worth bringing back to the table. Keeping it in rotation means holding onto a piece of old-fashioned comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing
Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
Before takeout and frozen dinners, shepherd’s pie was the answer to a filling family meal. With seasoned lamb, sweet carrots, and thick gravy under a layer of mashed potatoes, it was a meal that felt like home. It was never written down—just made over and over again until it was perfected. If there’s one casserole that proves old-fashioned cooking was built on instinct, it’s this one.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
Crock-Pot Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole wasn’t just for holidays—it was an everyday side dish that Boomers grew up eating. This slow-cooked version keeps all the classic flavors intact, from the creamy sauce to the crispy onion topping that always brought people back for seconds. It was a dish made so often, no one needed to check a recipe card. If grandma was cooking, this casserole was bound to make an appearance sooner or later.
Get the Recipe: Crock-Pot Green Bean Casserole
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole was once a household essential, combining pasta, canned tuna, and creamy sauce into a simple, budget-friendly meal. While popular in the 1960s and ‘70s, it later became known for its processed ingredients and lost its status. This updated version keeps the familiar flavors while modernizing the dish. Some classics just need a refresh to stay relevant.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Crock-Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Some recipes don’t need to change, and this sweet potato casserole is proof. Slow-cooked until rich and caramelized, it was a regular at holiday tables and family dinners. The kind of meal that filled the house with a smell that meant something good was coming. If grandma was making this, you knew it was going to be a meal worth waiting for.
Get the Recipe: Crock-Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Grandma’s Cornbread
Traditional cornbread, slightly sweet and crumbly, was once a dinner staple across the country. Whether served with chili, barbecue, or simply with butter, it completed many home-cooked meals. As instant breads and store-bought options became more common, this homemade version faded from daily cooking. Reviving it brings back a simple, comforting side dish that never should have disappeared.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cornbread
Best Easy and Creamy Squash Casserole
Squash casseroles were a given at every family dinner, made with fresh squash and a creamy sauce that was always baked just right. This dish was simple, familiar, and never needed a second thought to put together. It was the kind of food that didn’t require exact measurements—just knowing how it should look and feel. If there’s one dish that proves vintage recipes had staying power, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Best Easy and Creamy Squash Casserole
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
Apple pie was a familiar sight in 1975 kitchens, often baked from scratch for family dinners and celebrations. The lattice top was a sign of classic home baking, giving each pie a signature look. The balance of spiced apples and buttery crust made it a dessert that never faded from memory. Baking it today is a way to reconnect with the flavors that made homemade desserts a staple of the decade.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese
This baked mac and cheese, once a staple in cafeterias and home kitchens, was known for its golden, crispy topping and creamy texture. It was a childhood favorite that has been largely replaced by boxed versions and gourmet adaptations. Simple, budget-friendly, and nostalgic, it’s a dish that deserves more appreciation. A bite of this brings back memories of school lunches and the comfort food that shaped American meals.
Get the Recipe: School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese
Lime Jello Salad
Jello salads were at their peak in 1975, often served at family gatherings and potlucks. The bright green color and mix of fruit and creamy elements made them a signature dish of the decade. It was a fun and playful way to bring something sweet to the table. Making it today is a way to embrace the quirky side of classic American cooking.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad
Crock-Pot Chicken and Dumplings
This dish has been a Southern classic for generations, with tender chicken, creamy broth, and soft dumplings making it a comforting favorite. It was once a common meal in many households, but as faster options took over, it became less talked about. The slow cooker makes it an easy way to bring back a dish that deserves more attention. Keeping this recipe around means keeping a bit of American food history alive.
Get the Recipe: Crock-Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Salisbury Steak in the Slow Cooker
Salisbury steak was a TV dinner staple in 1975, known for its rich brown gravy and classic beef flavor. This slow cooker version keeps the same hearty appeal while making preparation even easier. Served with mashed potatoes, it was a meal that fit perfectly into the comfort food trend of the time. Bringing it back today is a way to appreciate a dish that was once a weeknight favorite across the country.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak in the Slow Cooker
Chicken on the Ritz Casserole
A buttery cracker topping and creamy chicken filling made this an easy-to-make favorite that Boomers knew by heart. It was one of those meals that always showed up on the dinner table, no matter the occasion. It didn’t take complicated ingredients, just a little bit of baking and a lot of love. If there was ever a casserole that deserved to be remembered, it’s this one.
Get the Recipe: Chicken on the Ritz Casserole
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
This meatloaf, baked with a rich, savory glaze, was once a staple of Sunday dinners and classic diners. It was a meal that families counted on, packed with flavor and always served with mashed potatoes. Over time, home-cooked meatloaf has been replaced by quicker alternatives, but its reputation as a comfort food classic remains. Bringing it back means reclaiming a dish that has fed generations.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
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