39 Old-School Dinners That Never Go Out of Style

There’s something special about a collection of old-school recipes that keeps us coming back for more.

These classic dishes have stood the test of time, offering comforting flavors that remind us of home, family gatherings, and cherished memories. Perfect for any occasion, they prove that some things never go out of style.

Easy Crockpot Steak Bites Perfect For Busy Weeknights

Crockpot Steak Bites recipe in a Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy the tasty goodness of our mouthwatering Crockpot Steak Bites recipe. These tender and flavorful bites are a great choice for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Steak Bites Perfect For Busy Weeknights

Crock Pot Beef And Noodles

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Try our easy Crock Pot Beef and Noodle recipe for a satisfying and comforting meal. Perfect for chilly nights or weekends.

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef And Noodles

Easy Salisbury Steak

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Easy Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak! Tender beef patties simmered in rich mushroom gravy with simple ingredients. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Get the Recipe: Easy Salisbury Steak

New York Strip Steak with Green Beans and Mushrooms

New York Strip Steak recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in the satisfaction of a flawlessly seared New York strip steak, expertly paired with seasonal vegetables, for an exquisite dining experience.

Get the Recipe: New York Strip Steak with Green Beans and Mushrooms

Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

Cheesy Chicken Parmesan recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Chicken Parmesan has been a restaurant favorite for years. Learn how easy it is to make Chicken Parmesan at home.

Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

Ham and Potato Casserole

Ham and Potato Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in our hearty and filling ham and potato casserole, the perfect recipe for foodies craving a tasty weeknight meal.

Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole

Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole in the Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Try our Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole for a delicious dinner that everyone will love. Prep takes just 15 minutes, and your slow cooker will do the rest.

Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole in the Slow Cooker

Easy Juicy Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

Crockpot Country Style Ribs recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in mouthwatering Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs, a delectable dish of tender, juicy pork that will leave you craving for more.

Get the Recipe: Easy Juicy Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

Easy Crock Pot Chicken And Stuffing

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in comfort with this Chicken and Stuffing Crock Pot Casserole recipe. Layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and savory stuffing await! Easy, delicious, and satisfying.

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken And Stuffing

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken and Rice casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Chicken and Rice Casserole is a delicious and comforting one-dish meal with chicken, rice, and veggies in a creamy sauce.

Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Try our mouthwatering Stuffed Pepper Casserole! Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe is quick, easy, and loved by families.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Creamy Country Chicken Potato Soup

A bowl of potato soup with bacon and bread.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

A simple, easy-to-make Chicken Potato Soup to warm you to the core and get cozy with. It is a complete meal in a bowl.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Country Chicken Potato Soup

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy the simplicity and flavor of Creamy Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. This recipe delivers crispy skin, juicy meat, and a rich, creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Easy German Chicken Schnitzel

Chicken Schnitzel recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Chicken Schnitzel is an easy twist on a classic German Schnitzel recipe. It’s got crispy on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside.

Get the Recipe: Easy German Chicken Schnitzel

Crockpot Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is made by combining sausages, bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce, resulting in a flavorful dish.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Sausage and Peppers

Shepherd’s Pie

Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Make dinner a breeze with this Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe! Hearty beef, mixed veggies, and creamy potatoes. Perfect for weeknights.

Get the Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

Easy Baked BBQ Pork Chops

Baked BBQ Pork Chops recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in the ultimate family comfort food with our mouthwatering baked BBQ pork chops recipe. Perfectly tender and packed with flavor.

Get the Recipe: Easy Baked BBQ Pork Chops

Creamy Chicken Paprika

Paprika Chicken recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Chicken Paprika is an easy, hearty dish full of sweet, peppery, and bold flavors you will not get enough of.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Paprika

Fried Cabbage & Noodles With Bacon

Fried Cabbage Noodles (Krautfleckerl) by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Krautfleckerl is a close relative of the Eastern European dish Haluski. Tender pasta with crispy bacon, ham, onions, and sweet cabbage.

Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage & Noodles With Bacon

Frikadellen

German Frikadellen recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Frikadellen are tasty, hearty burger-like patties often served on a roll with a side of mustard and Potato or Cucumber Salad.

Get the Recipe: Frikadellen

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice-Baked Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Savor the comfort of creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and cheesy goodness in our delectable Twice Baked Potato Casserole.

Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Hearty Old Fashioned Potato Soup

Old Fashioned Potato Soup recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Get cozy with this rich and creamy Old Fashioned Potato Soup. Made with tender potatoes, onion, bacon, milk, and broth. Simple and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Hearty Old Fashioned Potato Soup

Vintage Pea Salad

Pea Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This classic, creamy pea salad is both a perfect side dish during the week or a perfect party buffet table.

Get the Recipe: Vintage Pea Salad

Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe

Tuscan Shrimp recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in the flavors of Tuscan shrimp, a succulent and comforting dish simmered to perfection in a creamy sauce. Perfect for any occasion.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Shrimp

German Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy

German Hunters Schnitzel (Jägerschnitzel) recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Jagerschnitzel is classic German comfort food. Breaded pork cutlets (Schnitzel) topped with a rich, creamy mushroom bacon sauce.

Get the Recipe: German Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle soup recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in this comforting and delicious chicken noodle soup recipe made in a Dutch oven. Perfect comfort food for any occasion.

Get the Recipe: Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Throw out the takeout menu and whip up our delicious Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. Perfect for anyone looking for a flavorful and hassle-free meal.

Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken

Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole

Taco Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Spice up taco night with this easy Taco Casserole recipe! Everybody will be asking for seconds of this spin on a Mexican favorite.

Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Taco Casserole

Three Cheese Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Baked Ziti is one of these incredibly delicious, foolproof, evergreen pasta recipes everybody loves. Perfect when you need to feed a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Baked Ziti

Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Our classic creamy Amish Macaroni Salad is great for picnics and potlucks. Sweet and tangy with lots of protein.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Amish Macaroni Salad

Thai Red Chicken Curry

Red Thai Chicken Curry recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Make our flavorful Thai Red Curry Chicken recipe for a quick and tasty one-pan dinner that your whole family will enjoy. It’s both easy and delicious.

Get the Recipe: Thai Red Chicken Curry

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Discover how to make an easy, delicious Chicken Pot Pie Casserole, a hearty meal sure to become a family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Beer Braised Short Ribs

Beef stew in a skillet on a striped tablecloth.
Photo Credit: Urban Farm And Kitchen.

Fall off the bone tender, these beer-braised short ribs are slow-cooked in the oven for maximum flavor. If you’ve only ever made short ribs with wine, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. For a fantastic dinner, serve with creamy mashed potatoes or vermicelli rice, fried mushrooms, and tangy coleslaw.

Get the Recipe: Beer Braised Short Ribs

Pork Loin Roast With Vegetables

Pork tenderloin with carrots and potatoes on a plate.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

Suppose you are a fan of pressure cooking and tasty Instant Pot recipes. This Instant Pot pork loin roast is an especially great recipe.

Get the Recipe: Pork Loin Roast With Vegetables

Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon

A plate of beef stew with mushrooms and parsley.
Photo Credit: Garlic And Zest.

Julia Child’s legendary Boeuf Bourguignon is a classic dish that deserves to be enjoyed at least once each fall or winter. This savory, delectable beef burgundy stew is rich and layered with tender chunks of braised beef, caramelized pearl onions, and sautéed mushrooms in a spectacularly silky red wine sauce. \

Get the Recipe: Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon

Chicken & Dumpling Casserole

Chicken pot pie in a glass dish with a spoon.
Photo Credit: Amandas Cookin.

The trick to this delicious chicken and dumpling casserole is not to stir it! Pour the ingredients in as directed and bake it up. A family favorite!

Get the Recipe: Chicken & Dumpling Casserole

Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

A skillet filled with mushrooms and gravy.
Photo Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops is an easy weeknight dinner combining tender, juicy pork chops smothered in a comforting and amazing creamy skillet gravy made with a can of soup, perfect for serving on top of mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

Dill Pickle Roast Beef

A plate of roast beef, potatoes, green beans and pickles.
Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

Dill Pickle Roast Beef is one of the easiest slow cooker recipes you will find. If you have ever had a German pickled beef like Sauerbraten, you will get the inspiration behind this recipe.

Get the Recipe: Dill Pickle Roast Beef

Classic German Beef Rouladen

German Beef Rouladen recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Mouthwatering and tender Beef Rouladen (German: Rinderrouladen) are filled with bacon, pickles, onions, and mustard.

Get the Recipe: Classic German Beef Rouladen

BONUS – 35 Easy Casseroles for When You’re Out of Dinner Ideas

Cheesy Chicken Parmesan recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Show Me The Bonus Recipes

Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.

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