19 hidden-gem dishes from your past that’ll upstage today’s trends

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Today’s food trends are all well and good, but sometimes you just crave the comfort and familiarity of dishes from your past. These 19 hidden gem recipes will bring a smile to your face!

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

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 simple to make, perfect for those hectic days. It’s a classic comfort food that outshines modern trends with its blend of spices and creamy sauce, all while the chicken becomes fork-tender.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Refrigerator Pickled Beets

Top view of a jar of pickled beets on a wooden cutting board.
Refrigerator Pickled Beets. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Brighten up your meals with these homemade Refrigerator Pickled Beets. They’re a vintage dish that brings a sweet, summer taste to your table, proving that simple recipes from the past can outdo today’s flavors.
Get the Recipe: Refrigerator Pickled Beets

Peanut Brittle

Red plate with peanut brittle on a red and white checked table cloth.
Peanut Brittle. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Peanut Brittle, a timeless treat, easily trumps modern confections. This recipe is a straightforward way to create a classic sweet at home, demonstrating that traditional homemade gifts are still in fashion.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Brittle

Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Oven roasted pork loin with potatoes, carrots and cabbage on a plate.
Oven Roasted Pork Loin. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Oven Roasted Pork Loin is a one-pan wonder that showcases how vintage dishes can be both simple and sophisticated. Cooking with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, this meal is effortlessly impressive and better than any quick-fix dinner.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Pork Loin

Salt Potatoes

Salt Potatoes drizzled with melted butter.
Salt Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Salt Potatoes, a beloved recipe from upstate New York, bring a creamy and buttery flavor that modern side dishes can’t match. With their simplicity and rich taste, they’re a testament to the enduring appeal of classic cooking.
Get the Recipe: Salt Potatoes

Blueberry Cobbler

Closeup of blueberry cobbler with a few pieces gone and a spoon with berry filling.
Old Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Southern Blueberry Cobbler is a dessert that stands the test of time with its flaky biscuit crust and bursting berries. It’s a showcase of how traditional recipes with straightforward ingredients can surpass current dessert trends.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Cobbler

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.

These Slow Cooker Pork Chops with a creamy mushroom sauce show the enduring charm of classic recipes. With minimal prep, this dish highlights how a few ingredients can still create a more compelling meal than many modern concoctions.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Amish Macaroni Salad

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

Amish Macaroni Salad is a sweet and creamy side that’s more satisfying than today’s typical pasta dishes. With its simple ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavor, it’s a vintage recipe that still stands out at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Apricot Upside Down Cake

A peach upside-down cake on a white plate, with caramelized peaches visible on top, set on a marble countertop.
Apricot Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Apricot Upside Down Cake is a nostalgic dessert with a caramelized apricot topping and tender cake that outdoes today’s sweets. It’s a throwback to grandma’s kitchen that remains unmatched in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Upside Down Cake

Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

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

Enjoy a slice of the past with this Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers, a homestyle dish that proves simple seasonings and classic techniques are still superior to today’s quick meals. It’s comfort food that’s been perfected over generations.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf with Ritz Crackers

Amish Butter Noodles

A close-up image of creamy fettuccine pasta being lifted with a fork, with more pasta and parsley visible in the background.
Amish Butter Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Amish Butter Noodles are an effortless dish that brings the rich, comforting flavors of the past into today’s busy world. With only 4 ingredients, this recipe is a reminder that sometimes the simplest dishes are the most memorable.
Get the Recipe: Amish Butter Noodles

Watergate Salad

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

Watergate Salad is a vintage dish that’s simple to make. With just 5 ingredients, this sweet and creamy salad shows that the classics can be more impressive than modern, intricate sides. This dessert salad will be a hit at any meal.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad

Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato soup in a gray and white bowl with a spoon.
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup is a timeless dish that turns simple ingredients into a rich and creamy soup. Stir in cheese for an extra touch and enjoy a comfort food that makes modern soups seem overcomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Campbells Green Bean Casserole

Classic Campbell's Green Bean casserole topped with fried onions.
Campbells Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Campbells Green Bean Casserole is a Thanksgiving staple that has stood the test of time. It’s a classic that proves some traditional recipes just can’t be improved upon, and your family will thank you for not just saving it for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Campbells Green Bean Casserole

Cowboy Caviar

Texas caviar on a tortilla chip.
Cowboy Caviar. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cowboy Caviar is a fresh and colorful salad that outshines many modern dishes. This hearty combination of black-eyed peas, beans, and vegetables is a testament to the lasting appeal of simple, fresh ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

Chocolate Lush

Slice of chocolate peanut butter lasagna on a plate.
Chocolate Lush. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chocolate Lush is a no-bake dessert that combines layers of decadent flavors, proving that old-fashioned desserts can still steal the spotlight. With its simple preparation, it’s a sweet reminder that the best treats don’t have to be complicated.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Lush

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.

This Italian Mushroom Stew is a rustic stew that’s more satisfying than today’s trendy dishes. Served over Italian bread, it’s a heartwarming meal that showcases the enduring comfort of traditional cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Pea Salad

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

This vintage Pea Salad is a creamy, tangy, and sweet dish that outdoes the sides found at modern cookouts. It’s a perfect make-ahead salad that proves why some recipes become timeless favorites.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Frozen Lemonade Pie

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

Cool off with this Frozen Lemonade Pie, a no-bake dessert that’s simple to make. With only four ingredients, it’s a refreshing classic that’s more charming than a complicated frozen treat.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Lemonade Pie

Amish Cinnamon Bread

Loaf of cinnamon bread sliced to show the ribbon of cinnamon inside.
Amish Cinnamon Bread. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Amish Cinnamon Bread is an easy-to-make sweet bread that fills your home with the aroma of cinnamon. This bread is a comforting classic that reminds us why some recipes are passed down through generations.
Get the Recipe: Amish Cinnamon Bread

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