17 Dishes Grandma Would Approve of, No Quinoa Required

When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats the dishes that remind us of grandma’s kitchen. These recipes focus on hearty, traditional meals made with simple, familiar ingredients. There’s no quinoa or trendy health food here—just timeless classics that deliver on flavor and nostalgia. Whether for a family dinner or a cozy night in, these recipes are as satisfying as they are easy to enjoy.

Organ Meat Stew with parsley garnish. — Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

This dish combines tender roasted chicken with a medley of seasonal vegetables. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare and features garlic, herbs, and olive oil. The flavors are simple and satisfying, letting the natural sweetness of the roasted vegetables shine. It’s a wholesome, well-rounded meal perfect for any night.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Easy to Make Chicken Francaise

A skillet filled with lemon chicken in sauce with lemon slices. — Easy to Make Chicken Francaise. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Chicken Francaise offers juicy chicken breasts coated in a light, lemony sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, it features ingredients like white wine, garlic, and parsley. The result is a bright, tangy flavor balanced with a subtle richness. This is an easy yet elegant option for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy to Make Chicken Francaise

French Toast Bake

This casserole brings all the classic flavors of French toast into one convenient dish. Made with brioche, eggs, and a touch of cardamom, it takes about 45 minutes to bake. The result is a soft and custardy center with a lightly crisp top. It’s perfect for breakfast or brunch gatherings.
Get the Recipe: French Toast Bake

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes meet a rich brown butter garlic sauce in this classic side dish. Taking about 30 minutes to prepare, it’s flavored with sage for a warm, earthy taste. The texture is creamy and smooth, making it an ideal pairing for hearty main dishes. These mashed potatoes are a comforting staple.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

A white plate with six half-moon shaped cooked dumplings garnished with herbs, perfect as a side dish or for kids. A fork and a blue napkin with floral print are placed beside the plate. — Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Handmade pasta pillows are filled with lightly spiced butternut squash in this comforting dish. Requiring about two hours to prepare, the ravioli features warm flavors of nutmeg and sage. The tender pasta and creamy filling create a balanced texture. This recipe is a rewarding project for a special meal.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli

Grandma’s Cornbread

Overhead shot of cornbread in a cast iron skillet with a single slice cut out. — Grandma’s Cornbread. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Slightly sweet and tender, this cornbread recipe has been a family favorite for decades. It uses simple ingredients like cornmeal, buttermilk, and sugar and is ready in about 35 minutes. The texture is moist with a delicate crumb that holds together beautifully. Serve it alongside soups or stews for a classic pairing.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cornbread

Sausage Curry

This curry features flavorful sausage in a creamy, spiced sauce. Ready in under an hour, it’s made with ingredients like coconut milk, curry powder, and garlic. The taste is a harmonious blend of savory, rich, and mildly spicy. It’s a hearty option for warming up any meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

A serving of chicken pot pie with golden crust, diced chicken, peas, and potatoes on a black plate—an ideal choice for budget recipes and cheap meals. — Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This dish features a creamy filling of chicken, vegetables, and a hint of tarragon under a flaky crust. It takes about an hour to prepare and uses ingredients like carrots, peas, and butter. The flavors are rich and comforting, with the tarragon adding a subtle herbal note. It’s a timeless classic for cold evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth. — Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

A bold combination of olives, capers, and anchovies makes this pasta dish unforgettable. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and highlights simple ingredients like garlic, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. The flavor is savory, briny, and slightly spicy, perfect for those who enjoy robust tastes. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Egg Sausage Breakfast Casserole

A hashbrown casserole in a white baking dish. — Egg Sausage Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Layers of eggs, sausage, and hash browns come together in this filling breakfast casserole. It takes about an hour to bake and uses ingredients like cheddar cheese and milk. The flavors are hearty and satisfying, ideal for feeding a crowd. It’s a great option for weekends or holiday mornings.
Get the Recipe: Egg Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

A white plate with a serving of shredded meat topped with sauce and garnished with herbs, perfect for movie night snacks. A fork rests on top, and a blurred dish is in the background. — Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Tender pork shoulder is slow-cooked in a tangy mustard BBQ sauce until it’s fall-apart tender. This recipe takes about eight hours in the slow cooker and features honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. The result is a sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor combination. It’s perfect for sandwiches or served with classic BBQ sides.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

This hearty dish layers tender lamb, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes. Taking about an hour and a half to prepare, it includes carrots, peas, and a savory red wine gravy. The flavors are rich and warming, ideal for a family dinner. It’s a comforting way to enjoy a traditional favorite.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

My Grandmother’s Recipe for Carrot Casserole

A slice of carrot cake on a patterned plate with a fork, topped with a dollop of cream. — My Grandmother’s Recipe for Carrot Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Sweet carrots take center stage in this casserole, blended with breadcrumbs and a creamy base. Ready in about an hour, it features ingredients like cheddar cheese and onion. The result is a balance of earthy and savory flavors with a hint of sweetness. It’s a nostalgic side dish that pairs well with roasted meats.
Get the Recipe: My Grandmother’s Recipe for Carrot Casserole

Buttermilk Brined Turkey

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

This turkey is brined in buttermilk, rosemary, and sage for maximum flavor and tenderness. Requiring about 24 hours for brining and roasting, it’s worth the effort for its moist, juicy meat. The flavors are herbaceous and slightly tangy from the buttermilk. This is a standout option for holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Brined Turkey

Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

This mashed potato casserole combines creamy potatoes with a golden breadcrumb topping. Ready in about an hour, it uses butter, cream, and cheese for a rich flavor. The top provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the smooth potatoes. It’s a comforting dish perfect for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

Roast Rack of Lamb

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

Juicy lamb coated in a garlic fennel crust creates a show-stopping centerpiece. This dish takes about an hour and features rosemary, Dijon mustard, and breadcrumbs. The flavor is a blend of savory, herbaceous, and slightly tangy. It’s an impressive option for special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Roast Rack of Lamb

Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew

This stew features a mix of organ meats slow-cooked with hearty vegetables. It takes about three hours to prepare, and it’s made with ingredients like onions, garlic, and broth. The result is a deeply flavorful dish that’s both rich and nourishing. It’s a classic way to enjoy traditional cuts of meat.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Hearty Offal Stew