29 old-fashioned favorites better than TikTok fads

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Forget flashy TikTok trends – it’s time to get back to the kitchen classics that never go out of style. These 29 old-fashioned favorites put modern food fads to shame.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

From retro Jell-O salads to classic comfort food, these vintage recipes are tried-and-true crowd pleasers that deliver nostalgic flavor with every bite. So leave the viral cooking hacks behind and take a delicious trip down memory lane.

Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Indulge in this vintage-inspired Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers, a moist and flavorful dish that’ll transport you back to your grandma’s kitchen. The Ritz Crackers create a perfect texture, bringing an old-fashioned touch to a classic dinner staple.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Savor the sweet nostalgia of Italian Ricotta Cookies, a soft and tender vintage treat that melts in your mouth. These scrumptious cookies, with their light lemon glaze, will remind you of cherished family gatherings from years gone by.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Lime Jello Salad

Brighten up your meal with a serving of Lime Jello Salad, a vintage-inspired dish that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, and fun. This colorful, wiggly salad is a delightful throwback to days gone by, perfect for potlucks or family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

Blueberry Cobbler

Two plates of blueberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream.
Southern Blueberry Cobbler. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Indulge in the sweet, fruity goodness of Southern Blueberry Cobbler, a time-honored dessert with a buttery, crumbly topping that’ll bring back memories of warm summer evenings on the porch.
Get the Recipe: Southern Blueberry Cobbler

Pickled Beets

Rediscover the tangy, sweet taste of homemade Pickled Beets, a vibrant and colorful vintage recipe that’s just like grandma made. These versatile pickles are perfect as a side dish, salad topper, or straight from the jar!
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beets

Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops

Enjoy a comforting and savory meal with these Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops. The slow-cooked, tender meat, smothered in a rich, creamy sauce, is an old-fashioned favorite that’ll warm your heart and soul.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops

Pea Salad

pea salad in a blue bowl.
Pea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Delight in the fresh and vibrant flavors of Pea Salad, a vintage-inspired side dish made with peas, cheese, bacon, and a creamy dressing. This old-school recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Sour Cream Cookies

Treat yourself to these delightful Sour Cream Cookies, a soft, cake-like vintage dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. With their fluffy texture and sweet glaze, they’re a cherished family recipe.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Cookies

Brown Derby Cocktail

Feel like you’re in Old Hollywood when you sip on a Brown Derby drink, named for a famous restaurant frequented by movie stars.
Get the Recipe: Brown Derby Cocktail

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Slice of lemonade pie with a pitcher of lemonade in the background.
Lemonade Pie. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cool off with a slice of Frozen Lemonade Pie, a refreshingly sweet and tangy vintage dessert that’s perfect for hot summer days. This easy, no-bake treat is sure to become a new favorite with an old-fashioned twist.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Lemonade Pie

Bread and Butter Pickles

Enjoy the sweet, tangy flavor of homemade Bread and Butter Pickles, a 1930s era recipe that’s perfect for dressing up sandwiches or enjoying straight from the jar. These versatile pickles are a delicious reminder of days gone by.
Get the Recipe: Bread and Butter Pickles

Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Savor the mouthwatering goodness of Oven Roasted Pork Loin, a classic, old-fashioned Sunday dinner favorite dish that’s tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. It’s an age-old family recipe that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Watergate Salad

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Watergate Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Relive the retro charm of Watergate Salad, a delightful and creamy concoction made with pistachio pudding, pineapple, and marshmallows. This easy-to-make dessert is a blast from the past that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad

Campbells Green Bean Casserole

Experience the classic comfort of Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole, a vintage recipe that’s been a staple at Thanksgiving and other family celebrations for generations. With its creamy sauce, tender green beans, and crispy onion topping, it’s a taste of nostalgia everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

Church Window Cookies

Delight in the whimsical charm of Church Window Cookies, a colorful, no-bake vintage dessert that’s sure to brighten up any gathering. These marshmallow-filled, chocolate-coated treats are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

Amish Macaroni Salad

Bowl of Amish macaroni salad with some on a spoon.
Amish Macaroni Salad. Photo Credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Amish Macaroni Salad is the nostalgic side dish that brings you back to Grandma’s kitchen in a heartbeat! The sweet and tangy dressing coats elbow macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, and crunchy veggies for a rich, creamy delight.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Farmers Cheese

Super easy way to make your own Fresh Homemade Farmers Cheese with only 1 ingredient. This unaged, cultured farmers cheese recipe using fermenting method is a perfect addition in our low carb lifestyle. Use it with various recipes from simple spreads, making your own farmers bread up to a super low carb cakes and sweets.
Get the Recipe: Farmers Cheese

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Pot Roast is a traditional recipe that has been enjoyed by families for generations. The succulent beef, tender vegetables, and rich gravy come together beautifully in this comforting classic, made even easier with the convenience of a slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Baked Manicotti

Baked manicotti in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Manicotti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Indulge in the classic comfort of Baked Manicotti, a vintage Italian dish filled with creamy ricotta and smothered in rich marinara sauce. This hearty, flavorful meal is sure to transport you back to grandma’s kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake

This church social vintage recipe is incredibly easy to make and is a perfect sweet breakfast or light dessert. The applesauce makes it incredibly moist, and it’s naturally dairy free, too.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake

Frozen Grasshopper

Step back in time and make a frozen grasshopper drink to serve at your next dinner party. This ice cream version of the mint green classic cocktail is perfect for dinner parties because it serves a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Grasshopper

Utica Greens

Top view of Utica Greens in a skillet with breadcrumbs and cherry peppers.
Utica Greens. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy Utica Greens, an old-fashioned Italian-American side dish filled with sautéed escarole, garlic, and prosciutto. This classic recipe, beloved by generations, will add a touch of nostalgia to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Utica Greens

Stewed Potatoes

Cozy up to Stewed Potatoes, the ultimate throwback comfort food. This dish, with its tender potatoes swimming in a rich broth, harkens back to simpler times when meals were hearty and made with love. Grandma would be proud!
Get the Recipe: Stewed Potatoes

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie is smooth, creamy, and full of flavor. If you love coconut, you will love this pie.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie

Mushroom Stew

Top view of a big pot of mushroom stew with cheese and basil on a cutting board next to the pot.
Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a bowl of warm and comforting Mushroom Stew, a rustic Italian-American dish packed with rich, earthy flavors. This hearty, savory meal will remind you of cherished family recipes and cozy evenings spent at grandma’s table.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stew

Sauerkraut Soup Recipe

This Sauerkraut Soup Recipe with sausage, originate in Eastern Europe and has been served as a hearty Christmas soup for generations.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut Soup Recipe

Classic Thumbprint Cookies

Didn’t everyone grow up eating these cookies? A soft and delicious cookie with a burst of jam hiding under a light glaze was always a favorite treat whenever we went to Granny’s house.
Get the Recipe: Classic Thumbprint Cookies

Salt Potatoes

Salt Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.
Salt Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dig into a heaping serving of Salt Potatoes, a classic popular since the 1800s in Syracuse, New York. Simple yet incredibly satisfying these tender, buttery potatoes are the ultimate comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Salt Potatoes

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