Old-School Recipes That Deserve a Comeback

Everyone who tries this comforting, cheesy chicken and noodle casserole asks for the recipe. It’s so simple to make that sometimes I feel like I’m cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas

This crunchy salad is a perfect side to accompany a heavy meal. With it’s light and crisp flavors, it’ll be the hit of the party.—Susan R Falk, Eastpointe, Michigan

We seem to eat for comfort during the holidays…but comfort foods aren’t necessarily healthy. To make a classic comfort food dish more healthy, I came up with this lovely take on shepherd’s pie. It’s perfect for putting out on your holiday buffet table. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

The combination of onion, carrots, parsley and cheese—plus the tomato-mustard topping—makes this meat loaf really colorful. The recipe lends itself easily to being doubled or halved to suit the number you’re cooking for, and it freezes well, too. It’s the best meatloaf ever! —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

Out of all my beef stew meat recipes, this one is my favorite. Here’s a good old-fashioned stew recipe with rich beef gravy that lets the flavor of the potatoes and carrots come through. This is the perfect hearty dish for a blustery winter day. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

While this special chicken and wild rice casserole is perfect for a company dinner, it’s also just too good not to make often for everyday family meals. We think it is very nice served with some crusty rolls or French bread. —Elizabeth Tokariuk, Lethbridge, Alberta

I got this easy recipe from my daughter, who lives in France. It’s become my go-to fondue, and I make it often for our family.—Betty A. Mangas, Toledo, Ohio

Sometimes, I add more mushrooms to this recipe when my son’s eating dinner—he loves them, and they are just fantastic with the steak. — Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada

My husband and I are oyster farmers, and this classic dish always delights our guests. It’s deliciously simple! —Beth Walton, Eastham, Massachusetts

My mom told me her mother-in-law showed her how to make this dish, which became popular during the Depression, on their “get acquainted” visit in 1927. At that time, cooks measured ingredients as pinches, dashes and dibs. But through the years, accurate amounts were noted. My wife and I continue to enjoy this dish today, particularly for brunch. —Auton Miller, Piney Flats, Tennessee

It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I really fussed when I serve this roast. But it’s actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

I’ve always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side dish, too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

When I was a culinary student, this creamy dish wowed me, and I don’t even like spinach. This side is a keeper! —Chelsea Puchel, Pickens, South Carolina

Pot roast recipes are the ultimate comfort food. When juicy pot roast simmers in garlic, onions and veggies, everyone comes running to ask, “When can we eat?” The answer? Just wait—it will be worth it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

When I know I’ll be having a busy day with little time for cooking, I prepare this tasty main dish. Brimming with tender chicken and colorful vegetables, it smells so good while cooking. —Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington

My mom’s ambrosia salad, with its tasty combination of fresh fruits and creamy yogurt, is a family favorite, and a great addition to a backyard barbecue. —Colleen Belbey, Warwick, Rhode Island

Perfect for holidays, this beef wellington is also impressively easy. Find ready-made puff pastry sheets in the frozen food section. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida

This meal-in-one dish is a different way to use pierogi. The tart apple slices make an unexpectedly delicious addition on your plate. —Greta Igl, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Cream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. Besides the delicious flavor of the dish, I love the ease of preparing it. —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

Filled with family-friendly flavors, a pleasant peppery kick and a creamy from-scratch sauce, this hearty dish is just the kind of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food you’re looking for. —Emma Hathway Price, Tampa, Florida

Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made German treats such as this traditional red cabbage. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee

I ran across this recipe in one of my antique cookbooks. It’s a timeless classic I like to prepare for friends and family throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. —Betty Ann Morgan, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

This mild, homemade tuna casserole will truly satisfy your family’s craving for comfort food without all the fat! —Colleen Willey, Hamburg, New York

A wedge salad gets the creamy treatment when topped with blue cheese dressing. Keep the dressing as a topper, or make it a dip for Buffalo wings. —Jenn Smith, East Providence, Rhode Island

I’ve prepared these sandwiches for years. I’ve tried many sloppy joe recipes, but this one is the best by far. It also travels well for picnics or potlucks. —Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington

These well-seasoned meatballs in a rich tomato sauce are one of my mom’s best main dishes. I used to love this meal when I was growing up. I made it at home for our children, and now my daughters make it for their families. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

People who don’t even usually like broccoli casserole beg me to make this comforting broccoli cheese casserole recipe. It’s similar to a classic green bean casserole, but the melted cheese just puts it over the top. —Elaine Hubbard, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania

When I was a little girl, I helped my parents work the fields of their small farm. Lunchtime was always a treat when Mother picked fresh vegetables from the garden and simmered them in her big soup pot. We loved making this delicious recipe. —Ethel Ledbetter, Canton, North Carolina

This dish is chock-full of flavor, and the little spice from the kielbasa makes a nice hearty combo for a flavorful meal-in-one. —Barbara Brittain, Santee, California

My grandma’s pea soup recipe was a family favorite. What makes it different from any other pea soups I have tried is the addition of whole peas, spaetzle-like “dumplings” and sausage. Try it once and you’ll be hooked. —Carole Talcott, Dahinda, Illinois

My family adores this spaghetti casserole. It’s old-timey comfort food. This is how to make baked spaghetti with cream cheese. —Patricia Lavell, Islamorada, Florida

Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

This recipe is so good that I truly enjoy sharing it with others. I’ve always liked Salisbury steak, but I had to search a long time to find a recipe this tasty. It’s handy, too because it can be prepared ahead, kept in the refrigerator and warmed up later. —Denise Barteet, Shreveport, Louisiana