23 grandma-approved recipes that stand the test of time

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Some recipes are so good, they never go out of style—and Grandma’s recipes are the perfect proof. These tried-and-true dishes bring comfort, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia to the table, reminding us why classics always win. Whether you’re craving hearty meals or timeless desserts, these recipes are sure to become staples in your kitchen too.

A close-up of several rectangular pieces of shortbread placed on a wooden surface.
3 Ingredient Shortbread. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Red Velvet Cake

A ring-shaped red velvet cake with white icing is sliced to reveal its red interior, displayed on a pink cake stand.
Red Velvet Cake. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Red velvet cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that’s stood the test of time for good reason. Its soft, moist layers with subtle cocoa flavor, topped with sweet cream cheese frosting, are a classic that screams Grandma’s expertise. Serve this beauty at your next gathering, and it’ll be an instant hit, just like every time Grandma made it.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake

Broccoli Casserole

Close-up of a spoon scooping creamy broccoli casserole topped with a golden, crispy layer from a baking dish.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Broccoli casserole brings together creamy, cheesy goodness with a touch of nostalgia that only a recipe passed down from Grandma can deliver. Topped with crispy, buttery crackers, this dish makes even picky eaters excited about veggies. It’s a comforting, timeless side dish that deserves a spot on every table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Two clear glass mugs of mulled wine with orange slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks.
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

There’s something so warm and welcoming about a pot of mulled wine gently simmering away. This slow cooker version captures that nostalgic, festive coziness with fruity red wine, citrus, and fragrant spices. It’s a recipe straight out of Grandma’s holiday playbook—easy to prepare and guaranteed to fill your home with comforting aromas that bring everyone together.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Cranberry Chicken Salad

A wooden bowl filled with cranberry chicken salad with a wooden spoon.
Cranberry Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This cranberry chicken salad feels like a modern twist on a classic recipe Grandma would serve for lunch with friends. The mix of tender chicken, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy dressing hits all the right notes of flavor and texture. It’s fresh, satisfying, and timeless—a salad that’s sure to be a repeat favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Slow Cooker Applesauce

A bowl of applesauce with a spoon, surrounded by apples and a striped cloth on a gray surface.
Slow Cooker Applesauce. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Slow cooker applesauce is a nostalgic treat that’s as simple as it is satisfying. Made with fresh apples, sugar, and cinnamon, it’s the kind of recipe Grandma would make in big batches to enjoy all season long. Whether warm or cold, this applesauce captures the timeless flavors of fall in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Applesauce

Almond Crescent Cookies

A plate of almond crescent cookies is being dusted with powdered sugar.
Almond Crescent Cookies. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Almond crescent cookies are the definition of a Grandma-approved classic—simple, buttery, and utterly irresistible. Their delicate crumb and powdered sugar coating make them a staple of every holiday cookie tray. These are the kind of cookies that bring back cherished memories and create new ones with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

3 Ingredient Fudge

Close-up view of several pieces of chocolate fudge, with some stacked and one showing a bite taken out of it.
3 Ingredient Fudge. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This 3-ingredient fudge is exactly the kind of no-fuss dessert Grandma would whip up for a special treat. It’s rich, creamy, and impossibly decadent, with a texture that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re gifting it or keeping it all for yourself, this timeless recipe will never let you down.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Fudge

Salmon Quiche

A hand lifting a slice of salmon quiche from a pie tin, revealing a golden, crispy top and creamy filling.
Salmon Quiche. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Salmon quiche is a dish that perfectly balances elegance and comfort, making it a Grandma-approved favorite for special occasions or brunch. With its flaky crust, creamy filling, and tender salmon, it’s a recipe that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Grandma always knew how to make things extra special, and this quiche is the perfect nod to that tradition.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Quiche

3 Ingredient Shortbread

A close-up of several rectangular pieces of shortbread placed on a wooden surface.
3 Ingredient Shortbread. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Grandma always knew that simple ingredients make the best treats, and these 3-ingredient shortbread cookies prove it. Buttery, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they’re the kind of cookie you’ll want to bake all year long. With a recipe this easy and timeless, you’ll feel like a baking pro in no time.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Shortbread

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

A plate with breaded chicken cutlet, roasted green beans with seasoning, and lemon wedges.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Parmesan roasted green beans prove that Grandma’s magic extends to veggies too. Crispy, garlicky, and coated with cheesy goodness, these green beans are a timeless side dish that never fails to impress. They’re the perfect way to bring old-school charm to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

A plate of peanut butter blossoms, with one cookie broken in half.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Peanut butter blossoms are the kind of cookie that’s been winning hearts for decades. Grandma knew that combining soft peanut butter cookies with a chocolatey kiss on top would be a timeless hit. This easy, three-ingredient version keeps that classic magic alive with every delicious bite.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Piece of chicken cutlet on a fork resting over a larger portion with a lemon wedge.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Parmesan-crusted chicken brings a classic touch to your table with its golden, crispy coating and tender, flavorful chicken. It’s the kind of comforting yet elegant dish that feels like it’s straight from Grandma’s recipe box. Whether it’s for a weeknight or a special occasion, this dish always hits the mark.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Beef stew in a white pot served with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Slow cooker beef stew is comfort food at its finest—hearty, flavorful, and steeped in the kind of warmth only Grandma’s recipes deliver. Packed with tender beef, veggies, and a rich broth, it’s the ultimate one-pot meal. With minimal effort, you get all the classic flavors of a dish that’s been loved for generations.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Cranberry Brie Bites

Brie bites filled with jam and chopped nuts, topped with rosemary sprigs, on a white plate.
Cranberry Brie Bites. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Cranberry brie bites might look fancy, but their flavors are pure Grandma-approved simplicity. The buttery pastry, creamy brie, and sweet-tart cranberry make for a bite-sized masterpiece that’s perfect for any gathering. They’re the kind of appetizer that’s both impressive and comforting—just like Grandma’s cooking.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Green bean casserole being served with wooden spoon.
Green Bean Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This green bean hamburger casserole combines hearty ingredients with simple, satisfying flavors that stand the test of time. It’s a budget-friendly dish that Grandma would proudly serve to feed her family, and it still delivers the same cozy vibes today. Packed with green beans, creamy sauce, and cheesy goodness, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

A flaky pastry filled with spiced apples is cut in half on a wooden board.
Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Grandma’s apple pie gets a fun, modern twist with these puff pastry apple pie pockets. Filled with spiced, tender apples and wrapped in flaky pastry, they’re every bit as comforting and classic as the original. These treats are perfect for any time you’re craving that timeless apple pie flavor in an easy-to-make form.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

A picture of Slow Cooker Pot Roast with carrot and parsnip.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Slow cooker pot roast is the ultimate Grandma-approved comfort meal. With tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and a rich gravy, this dish has been warming hearts and filling bellies for generations. It’s a no-fail recipe that brings a touch of nostalgia to every table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

A glass mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This peppermint hot chocolate has the kind of nostalgic coziness that only Grandma’s kitchen could match. Creamy, chocolatey, and perfectly minty, it’s the ultimate warm hug in a mug for chilly nights. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or enjoying it solo, this drink feels like a timeless treat that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Parmesan Potatoes

A plate of parmesan potatoes is served with a small ramekin filled with creamy dipping sauce.
Parmesan Potatoes. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These parmesan potatoes deliver all the classic comfort of Grandma’s kitchen with a crispy, cheesy twist. Tender baby potatoes are roasted to golden perfection and are totally irresistible when paired with a dollop of sour cream. They’re proof that even the simplest recipes can become timeless treasures.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Cinnamon Rolls

Close-up of a cinnamon roll on a spatula, covered in white icing, with a tray of similar cinnamon rolls in the background.
Cinnamon Rolls. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Nothing says “Grandma’s kitchen” quite like the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls baking. These soft, pillowy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with creamy glaze are as classic as it gets. They’re the perfect way to start your day—or end it—with a touch of sweetness and nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls

Potato Fritters

A plate of crispy potato pancakes garnished with chopped chives and a dollop of sour cream.
Potato Fritters. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Grandma always had a way of turning simple ingredients into something amazing, and these potato fritters are no exception. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor, they’re the kind of dish that’s perfect for any time of day. Top them with a dollop of sour cream and some chives, and you’ve got a recipe that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Mashed potatoes are a classic, and this slow cooker version takes Grandma’s recipe to a whole new level of convenience. Creamy, garlicky, and outrageously fluffy, they’re the ultimate side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With a recipe this good, you’ll wonder why you ever used the stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Cinnamon Palmiers

A rectangular platter with cinnamon palmiers and holiday decorations, including garlands and a gift wrap, is displayed.
Cinnamon Palmiers. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Cinnamon palmiers are proof that the simplest recipes can feel the most special. These buttery, flaky pastries are swirled with cinnamon and sugar, just like something Grandma might whip up to make an ordinary afternoon feel extraordinary. They’re timeless, delicious, and fancy-looking without the fuss—exactly what you want in a treat that feels as classic as it is indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Palmiers

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