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Nostalgic and Delicious 18 Old-Fashioned Dinners You’ll Want to Make Again

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Old-fashioned dinner recipes bring a sense of comfort and tradition to your table, featuring hearty meals that have stood the test of time. This collection of 18 classic recipes includes timeless favorites like Salisbury steak, crispy breaded chicken cutlets, and spaghetti and meatballs. From slow cooker sirloin tip roast and honey glazed ham to cheesy Italian sausage lasagna and chicken dumpling soup, these dishes are perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight meals. Bring a little nostalgia to your dinner table with these delicious, home-cooked meals.

Salisbury Steak

Close-up of a savory Salisbury Steak covered in a rich mushroom and onion gravy, served in a cast-iron skillet. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs, and the sauce glistens, highlighting the tender meat's juicy texture.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Delight your family with this amazing Salisbury Steak recipe, ready in just 30 minutes! Transform your weeknights into a delicious culinary experience that everyone will love!

Get The Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Crispy Breaded Chicken Cutlets

Crispy Breaded Chicken Cutlets on a dish with a piece cut off showing the juicy meat
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

These thin-sliced chicken cutlets, coated in a delectable blend of breadcrumbs and Parmesan, are more than just a meal! They’re a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Serve them with your favorite sides or incorporate them into a delicious salad or sandwich.

Get The Recipe: Crispy Breaded Chicken Cutlets

Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf on a serving dish.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Traditional Homemade Meatloaf recipe is moist, tender, and flavorful. Once you try it, you’ll cherish this recipe forever!

Get The Recipe: Traditional Homemade Meatloaf

Crock Pot Sirloin Tip Roast

A close-up of a slow-cooked sirloin tip roast in a crockpot. The tender meat is shredded and garnished with fresh parsley, accompanied by a large carrot. A fork is placed within the roast, showing its tenderness and juiciness.

This Crock Pot Sirloin Tip Roast is a delicious slow-cooked meal featuring tender beef, carrots, and onions, all smothered in a rich homemade gravy. It’s perfect for cozy family dinners!

Get The Recipe: Crock Pot Sirloin Tip Roast

Honey Glazed Ham

A close-up of a glazed ham being sliced with a serrated knife. The ham has a shiny, caramelized outer layer with a pink, juicy interior. The knife has just cut through a small portion, revealing the tender inside.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This glazed ham recipe is sweet, tangy, and savory. The ham is scored and baked with a mouth-watering glaze made with brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, mustard, pineapple juice, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and ground cloves.

Get The Recipe: Glazed Ham

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Soup

A white bowl filled with brisket soup.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Soup is a meal-prepping dream! It’s incredibly easy to throw together in your slow cooker and delivers a delicious and satisfying soup that’s perfect for dinner or leftovers for lunch. The hearty flavors and melt-in-your-mouth brisket make it a versatile option for any occasion.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Soup

Smothered Chicken

A close-up of a plate of smothered chicken covered in a creamy brown sauce with sliced onions, garnished with chopped herbs, and served over a bed of white rice. A fork is partially visible on the right side of the plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This smothered chicken recipe is super easy to make, whether you use the stove or a slow cooker. It’s all about those tender chicken thighs swimming in a tasty gravy that’s just right for comfort food lovers!

Get The Recipe: Smothered Chicken

The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

A close up image of pair of cooking tongs serving a portion of Fettuccine Alfredo into a bowl.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Forget everything else – this Fettuccine Alfredo recipe is pure indulgence! A luxurious cream sauce coats perfectly cooked fettuccine, creating a symphony of creamy richness that’s ready in just 20 minutes. It’s the ultimate comfort food fix!

Get The Recipe: The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

Italian Beef Stew

Overhead shot of Italian Beef Stew.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Cheap cuts of beef are transformed into a tender and flavorful stew with a rich Italian gravy. Add your favorite vegetables, beans, or grains to customize this dish and create a complete and nutritious meal.

Get The Recipe: Italian Beef Stew

Lemon Chicken Rice Bake

A spoonful of chicken and rice being scooped from a blue pan.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe turns your oven into a flavor factory. Juicy chicken thighs nestle on a bed of lemony garlic rice, all baking together for a stress-free and delicious weeknight dinner.

Get The Recipe: Baked Chicken and Rice

Chicken Dumpling Soup

A creamy Southern recipe featuring artichoke hearts, carrots, celery, and strips of chicken. The ingredients are garnished with fresh herbs and immersed in a thick sauce.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Chicken Dumpling Soup is a comforting dish featuring tender, slow-cooked chicken in a rich broth, fluffy dumplings, and hearty veggies. It’s delicious and easy to make, offering a warm and inviting meal that will nourish your heart and soul.

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Spaghetti and Meatballs

a close up of Spaghetti and Meatballs on a plate with a fork
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Skip the jar! These homemade Italian meatballs are simmered in rich spaghetti sauce for a taste of authentic Italian comfort food.

Get The Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Hamburger Rice

A close-up of a dish featuring rice mixed with ground meat, mushrooms, and garnished with fresh parsley. Sliced carrots and pieces of cooked vegetables are visible on a green plate.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty hamburger and rice recipe comes together in a flash, bursting with flavor and using just a few dishes. With tender ground beef, fluffy rice, and a sprinkle of magic (okay, fine, it’s just some yummy seasonings), this meal is sure to satisfy any busy night!

Get The Recipe: Hamburger and Rice

One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

A skillet filled with beef stroganoff features wide egg noodles, ground beef, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce—a true comfort food recipe. Chopped parsley is sprinkled on top, with a wooden spoon resting in the dish, inviting you to dive into its soothing flavors.
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This super easy one-skillet ground beef stroganoff is creamy, tasty, and just right for those busy weeknights. Whip it up in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients!

Get The Recipe: One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff

Chicken with Sherry Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with Sherry Mushrooms Sauce piled high on a white plate
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Ditch the ordinary! This chicken dinner elevates the classic with pancetta’s savory punch and a silky sherry sauce studded with mushrooms. Tender chicken and a burst of flavor in every bite – get ready for rave reviews! Get The Recipe: Chicken with Sherry Mushroom Sauce

Cheesy Italian Sausage Lasagna

A slice of cheesy lasagna is being lifted from a baking dish, showcasing layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese stretching impressively. A fresh basil leaf garnishes the appetizing slice, making it a star in the world of recipes.
Image Credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This irresistible homemade lasagna is packed with layers of hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey, golden mozzarella. It’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for cozy family dinners or prepping delicious meals ahead of time!

Get The Recipe: Cheesy Italian Sausage Lasagna

Breaded Pork Chops

Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This recipe takes your weeknight dinners to the next level with amazingly crispy panko-breaded pork chops. Packed with flavor and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect way to satisfy the whole family without the fuss.

Get The Recipe: Breaded Pork Chops

Turkey & Ham Pot Pie

A serving spoon over the turkey and Ham pie with a scoop of the pie in the spoon
Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy this Turkey and Ham Pie, a comforting mix of tender turkey, savory ham, and sweet leeks, seasoned with fresh herbs and baked in golden, flaky puff pastry. It’s the perfect way to turn leftovers into a dish that will wow your guests and have them asking for seconds!

Get The Recipe: Turkey and Ham Pie

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