15 Dinners You Grew Up With But Haven’t Made in Ages

It’s easy to forget about the comforting dinners you grew up with, but these classics are ready for a comeback. We’ve gathered a list of timeless meals that may have slipped off your menu but deserve a spot back in your weekly rotation. They’re the kind of dishes that bring back memories of family dinners and cozy nights at home. You’ll wonder why you haven’t made them in ages.

A lamb shepherd's pie served in a glass dish. — Lamb Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table. — Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This butternut squash soup combines the natural sweetness of the squash with light, fluffy homemade dumplings. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a cozy meal that’s perfect for colder nights. The smooth, creamy soup pairs beautifully with the dumplings for a satisfying dinner you may have forgotten you loved. It’s one of those classic dishes you’ll be happy to rediscover.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Slow-cooked pork shoulder is tender and flavorful, cooked in a mustard-based BBQ sauce that’s both sweet and tangy. Taking several hours to cook, the result is pork so tender it practically falls apart. Whether served with BBQ sides or on a soft roll, this dish brings back memories of family dinners. It’s an old favorite worth bringing back to your table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells in a cast iron skillet. — Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These stuffed shells are filled with spinach and creamy ricotta, then baked in a zesty marinara sauce. It’s comfort food that takes you back to Italian family dinners, ready in under an hour. The combination of melted cheese and savory tomato sauce makes this a dish that’s impossible to forget. It’s a classic you haven’t made in ages but will be glad to enjoy again.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Chicken is cooked with caramelized onions and herbs in a creamy balsamic sauce in this easy skillet dinner. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s the perfect one-pan meal that’s packed with flavor. The richness of the sauce complements the tender chicken, making it a meal that feels familiar but fresh. It’s a classic recipe you forgot about but won’t want to leave behind again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Beef Tenderloin Recipe with Winter Vegetables

Beef tenderloin is paired with winter vegetables and a sage brown butter sauce for a flavorful dinner. It’s a reverse-seared showstopper, ready in about an hour. The tender beef and rich sauce make it perfect for special occasions or a nostalgic Sunday dinner. This is a dish that deserves a spot on your menu again.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tenderloin Recipe with Winter Vegetables

Roast Rack of Lamb

Roasted rack of lamb on a cutting board. — Roast Rack of Lamb. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

A garlic fennel crust gives this roast rack of lamb an extra layer of flavor, making it a star at dinner parties or special family meals. It’s juicy and tender, ready in about 45 minutes. The unique flavors make it an old-fashioned favorite that stands out. If you haven’t made this classic in a while, now’s the time.
Get the Recipe: Roast Rack of Lamb

Buttermilk Brined Turkey

A buttermilk brined roasted surrounded by festive holiday side dishes. — Buttermilk Brined Turkey. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This buttermilk brined turkey brings together rosemary, thyme, and sage for a tender, flavorful centerpiece. It takes a bit of time to brine, but the result is a moist turkey that’s perfect for family gatherings. The flavors are traditional and timeless, reminding you of holiday meals past. It’s the kind of dish that feels right at home at any dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Brined Turkey

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Thick slices of cabbage are roasted in bacon fat and topped with garlic dressing for a hearty dish. Ready in about 40 minutes, the cabbage steaks have a satisfying texture and rich flavor. It’s a dish that feels indulgent yet simple, perfect for bringing back into your dinner rotation. If you’ve never tried this old favorite, now’s the time.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted chicken is served with seasonal vegetables in this simple yet satisfying meal. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare, with the flavors of garlic and herbs bringing everything together. The roasted veggies add a natural sweetness that complements the juicy chicken. It’s a dish that feels like home and is long overdue for a revival.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Chicken Shawarma Plate

Spiced chicken is served with hummus, garlicky toum, and banana peppers on homemade pita bread in this Middle Eastern-inspired dish. Ready in about 45 minutes, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for sharing. The combination of savory chicken and fresh accompaniments makes this a dish worth bringing back. It’s a classic you haven’t made in a while but won’t want to skip again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma Plate

Panko Crusted Rockfish

Rockfish fillets are coated in crispy panko and roasted to perfection in this light and satisfying dish. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a quick dinner option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. The crunchy panko coating adds a satisfying texture to the tender fish. If it’s been a while since you’ve made seafood like this, it’s time to revisit it.
Get the Recipe: Panko Crusted Rockfish

Instant Pot Chicken with Sweet Peppers

This one-pan Middle Eastern chicken dish is made with sweet peppers and tangy tomatoes, all cooked quickly in the Instant Pot. Ready in just under an hour, it offers a satisfying blend of tender chicken and flavorful veggies. The tangy tomatoes add brightness, while the peppers bring a mild sweetness. This recipe brings a modern twist to a comforting meal you may not have made in a long time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken with Sweet Peppers

Chicken and Rice Casserole

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

This chicken and rice casserole is a comforting one-pot meal that combines chicken with carrots, onions, and barberries for a rich flavor. Ready in just about an hour, the savory mix of chicken and earthy spices makes it a dinner worth remembering. Its slight sweetness adds depth, making it perfect for a family dinner. This is the kind of dish that brings back warm memories from the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Baked Creamy Salmon

Grilled salmon and potatoes on a baking sheet. — Baked Creamy Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This baked salmon comes together in just 30 minutes, cooked with potatoes and a creamy garlic sauce. The tender salmon pairs perfectly with the crispy potatoes, all enveloped in a rich, comforting sauce. The creamy texture and garlicky flavor make it a simple yet satisfying dinner. It’s a dish that feels familiar, like something you haven’t made in a while but will love once again.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon

Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Tender lamb is cooked with carrots and peas, then topped with creamy mashed potatoes in this classic shepherd’s pie. It takes about an hour to make, with the savory red wine gravy adding rich flavor. This is a dish that feels like home, perfect for cold nights or family dinners. It’s one of those timeless meals that deserves a spot on your table again.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie