Retro dinners are making a comeback, but with a new spin that’s perfect for those nights when you just want to take it easy. We’re talking about classic flavors that bring back memories, now transformed into no-hassle meals you can whip up without spending all evening in the kitchen. These 17 recipes are all about keeping things simple and stress-free, so you can serve up a great meal and still have plenty of time to relax and unwind.
Cabbage and Sausage
Combine cabbage and sausage in a skillet, and in 25 minutes, you’ll be sitting down to a hearty meal. This dish is a breeze to make with ingredients you probably have at hand. It’s a great pick for a quick and delicious dinner, reviving a classic combo for your laid-back evenings.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Revive the classic casserole with this Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole, ready in under an hour. It’s a seamless blend of noodles, tuna, and cheese, creating a comforting dish that’s perfect for those evenings when you’re looking for ease and flavor. Plus, it’s just as great for leftovers the next day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Take a trip down memory lane with a Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole that’s ready in 30 minutes. Just combine broccoli, cauliflower, a creamy sauce, cheese, and bacon for a dish that brings a new spin to a retro favorite. It’s a no-hassle meal for when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Let your Crock Pot do the heavy lifting with this Taco Soup. With just 20 minutes of prep, you’ll have a hearty soup that cooks itself, perfect for freezing and enjoying on those nights when you want something great with minimal effort. It’s a modern spin on a beloved classic.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Broccoli Casserole
In just 50 minutes, you can serve up a Broccoli Casserole that’s a nod to the past but made for today’s easy-going dinners. It’s simple enough for beginners and quick enough for anyone wanting to cut down on kitchen time. This dish is a straightforward way to enjoy a classic meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Throw sausages and veggies on a sheet pan, bake for 30 minutes, and you’ve got a Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner that simplifies your evening routine. It’s a great solution for busy nights, giving you a hearty meal with minimal effort, and it’s a fresh take on a traditional dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Chicken Corn Soup
This Chicken Corn Soup is a throwback to simpler times, ready in under an hour. A one-pot wonder, it combines the homestyle goodness of chicken, corn, and veggies in a creamy broth. It’s the kind of easy, comforting dinner you need when you’re in the mood for a nostalgic meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Reimagine the classic stuffed bell pepper with this easy casserole that cooks up in 45 minutes. It’s chock-full of familiar flavors like ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomatoes, all thrown together in a dish that brings back the good old days without any of the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Spinach Chicken Bake
For a no-stress dinner, mix together some chicken, spinach, and cheese, add a dash of your favorite spices, and pop it in the oven. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a Spinach Chicken Bake that’s perfect for when you want a great meal without the effort. It’s a classic dish made easy — great for those evenings when you’d rather kick back and relax.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake
Creamy Garlic Chicken
This Creamy Garlic Chicken comes together in 30 minutes and is cooked in one pan. It features chicken breasts in a smooth garlic and Parmesan sauce, making it a great choice for nights when you want something a bit special but still easy. It’s a quick, simple dish that will please any crowd.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Fajita Baked Chicken
Change up traditional fajitas and make this Fajita Baked Chicken, a 30-minute meal. Juicy chicken, cream cheese, and sweet peppers come together under a blanket of melted mozzarella. It’s an effortless way to add some flair to your dinner while keeping things chill.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup brings the flavors of an old-school Italian diner to your table in just 30 minutes. With Italian sausage, herbs, cream cheese, and tomatoes, this hearty soup is a straightforward dish that reminds you of the comfort foods you grew up loving.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a 25-minute dish that takes a page from the past. Cabbage and bacon sizzle together with onions for a simple yet hearty meal. Whether as a main or a side, it’s a straightforward dish that’s perfect for when you’re after something good without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet is a 30-minute meal that modernizes a comfort food staple. With the richness of cheddar, the heartiness of cauliflower rice, and the earthiness of mushrooms, it’s a one-skillet wonder that’s just right for laid-back evenings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
In 30 minutes, the Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach is a contemporary twist on the comfort casseroles you grew up on. It’s a hearty and easy dish that combines beef, veggies, and cheese for a simple and great meal that’s perfect for those nights when you’re looking to kick back with a familiar, comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
In just 20 minutes, you can whip up Garlic Butter Chicken Bites that are perfect for a low-key night. Simply chop up some chicken, fry it until golden, and toss it in garlic butter for a meal that’s straightforward and great tasting. This one-pan dish is a modern take on a retro favorite, proving that a great dinner doesn’t need to be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Bring a touch of nostalgia to your table with a modern take on the diner-style Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup, ready in about an hour. This soup is a cinch to prepare in a single pot, and with an immersion blender, you can easily whip it into a creamy, dreamy meal. It’s a great choice for relaxed evenings when you’re craving something reminiscent of the past but with a current-day twist.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup