19 classic dinners you didn’t know you were craving

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Sometimes, the most satisfying meals are the ones you don’t even realize you’ve been yearning for. These 19 classic dinners are beloved dishes that will remind you what you’ve been missing!

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Cracker Barrel-inspired meatloaf recipe brings a timeless favorite to your dining table, seasoned to perfection and baked until it’s just right. It’s a homestyle dish that’s so good, it might just become your go-to meal for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Skip the trip to the café and enjoy this homemade version of the beloved Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Its creamy texture and rich cheese flavor make it a meal that’s both comforting and irresistible, perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Whip up this flavorful Instant Pot Minestrone Soup, a one-pot wonder that’s brimming with nutritious veggies. Ready in just 30 minutes, this soup is a hearty and wholesome meal that brings you the classic flavors you’ve been missing.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These slow cooker BBQ chicken legs are so tender, they slide right off the bone, smothered in a sauce that’s the perfect balance of smoky and tangy. It’s an effortless way to enjoy an effortless meal that always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Baked Manicotti

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

Step into a cheese-filled paradise with Baked Manicotti, where each pasta shell is generously stuffed and drenched in a robust meat sauce. It’s an Italian staple that turns any evening into a festive gathering, complete with all the flavors you’ve been longing for.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These slow cooker country style ribs are the ultimate easy yet delicious meal, glazed with a mixture of peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce for a sweet and savory finish. They’re the kind of classic dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Fish and Chips

Fish and fries on a metal tray with tartar sauce and lemon.
Fish and Chips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate a pub-style favorite with this air fryer Fish and Chips recipe. The fish is breaded and cooked to golden perfection, offering a crunchy outside and tender inside that’s simply irresistible, and just what you’ve been missing.
Get the Recipe: Fish and Chips

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy this slow cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta, a dish that’s like a little Italian getaway right in your bowl. The chicken is tender, the sauce creamy and cheesy, and the whole meal is so good, it’ll have everyone talking. It’s a comforting classic that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Mongolian Beef

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Air Fryer Mongolian Beef is a quick, delicious option that will leave your family impressed with its crispy texture and sweet-salty flavor. It’s a meal that’s ready in a flash, perfect for satisfying those cravings for on a busy night.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Beef

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Beef tips with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Experience the incredible tenderness of Slow Cooker Beef Tips, simmered to perfection in a rich gravy. This classic dish is a hearty and satisfying meal that practically cooks itself.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Italian 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.

Discover the home-cooked goodness of this Italian Mushroom Stew, a rustic classic meal that will remind you of grandma. It’s a comforting and savory meal that pairs beautifully with a piece of crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken dish is a comforting favorite that’s both effortless to prepare and brimming with a rich blend of spices and creamy sauce. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like dinner is taken care of, no matter how busy your day was.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Say goodbye to takeout with this Instant Pot Orange Chicken, a zesty and sweet classic that’s guaranteed to be a family favorite. In less than an hour, you’ll be dishing out a meal that’s bursting with flavor and sure to make a regular appearance at your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting bowl of goodness that’s just like Olive Garden’s signature dish. It’s an easy-to-make recipe that brings the taste of a beloved meal straight to your home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken on wooden cutting board.
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are a flavor-packed meal that’s ready in a snap. It’s a simple and classic dinner option that is perfect for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

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.

Wrap yourself in the comfort of these Slow Cooker Pork Chops, smothered in a dreamy, creamy mushroom sauce. It’s a foolproof favorite that’s as comforting as it is simple to make, ensuring a delicious dinner is ready without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

No Peek Chicken Casserole

A casserole dish with chicken and rice in it.
No Peek Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The No Peek Chicken Casserole is a reliable staple that delivers tender chicken and perfectly seasoned rice every time. It’s a fuss-free dish that promises a delicious surprise with every oven reveal.
Get the Recipe: No Peek Chicken Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Shake up your dinner routine with these slow cooker chicken thighs, a dish that uses simple ingredients to create a meal that’s anything but ordinary. It’s an easy, flavorful classic that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Delight in the flavors of this homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup, a dish that perfectly captures the essence of Chick-fil-A’s renowned recipe. It’s a comforting classic that’s sure to become a new favorite at your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and sesame seeds.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let these Asian Spare Ribs take your taste buds on a journey to Asia, right from your slow cooker. They’re an easy-to-make classic that’s infused with a blend of aromatic spices and sauces, perfect for those nights when you crave something special. The ribs are so delicious, you’ll be thinking about the next batch before the first is even finished.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

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