27 Old School Recipes That Deserve a Comeback

There’s something comforting about the way food used to be—simple, familiar, and made to bring people together. I love revisiting these old-school recipes because they remind me of how good the basics can be when done right. If you’ve been craving a little nostalgia in the kitchen, this is the perfect place to start.

Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

This air fryer version of a whole chicken keeps things simple while still giving you the crispy skin and juicy meat you’d expect. It’s a quick way to bring a classic dinner back to the table without turning on the oven. The cook time is under an hour, making it a smart choice for busy evenings. Meals like this are a reminder of what weeknight dinners used to look like before everything got so complicated. That’s exactly why this one deserves a second look.
Get the Recipe: Whole Chicken in Air Fryer

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs cooked in the slow cooker come out tender and full of flavor without much effort at all. It’s the kind of meal that lets you get things done while dinner takes care of itself. This one brings back a style of cooking that’s been overlooked in favor of quicker trends. It’s easy to prep in the morning and ready to serve when you’re winding down. Recipes like this are worth bringing back for how well they still hold up.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Hershey's Hot Chocolate

A warm mug of this takes you right back to the basics in the best way. It’s rich, simple, and comes together fast with pantry staples. Whether it’s a cold morning or a quiet night in, this one hits the spot. Drinks like this were once a regular treat, and it’s easy to see why they stuck around. It’s the kind of thing we should be making more often.
Get the Recipe: Hershey's Hot Chocolate

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

This slow-cooked version has that soft, creamy texture people remember from potlucks and family dinners. It’s a hands-off dish that comes together with minimal prep and plenty of comfort. Letting the flavors blend slowly brings back the way mac and cheese used to be made. It fits perfectly into meals that don’t rush or try to impress too hard. There’s a reason this kind of dish never really went out of style.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

With tender beef and slow-simmered sauce, this is the kind of recipe that used to show up often on dinner tables. The slow cooker does most of the work while the flavors develop all day. It’s easy to serve with rice or noodles and works well for weeknight meals or casual dinners. This one’s a reminder that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. That’s why it’s still worth making today.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Individual Lasagna

These smaller portions of a classic favorite make lasagna feel more manageable without losing the comfort. It’s ideal for nights when you want the flavor without baking a huge tray. This version brings back a well-loved dish in a way that fits modern schedules. It’s still cheesy and hearty, just scaled to make more sense for smaller households. That’s what makes it a smart choice for reviving an old favorite.
Get the Recipe: Individual Lasagna

Chicken Chop Suey

This dish takes you back to a style of home cooking that’s been around for generations. It’s quick to throw together and full of familiar flavors. Serve it over rice and you’ve got a full dinner that doesn’t take much planning. It’s the kind of meal that used to be a go-to on busy nights. Bringing it back just makes sense.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chop Suey

Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One

A warm dessert like this is quick to make and doesn’t leave behind a bunch of leftovers. It’s a great way to bring back the kind of simple fruit desserts that once showed up all the time. With easy ingredients and short cook time, it fits right into any weeknight routine. The air fryer gives it a crisp top without heating the whole kitchen. Recipes like this are a good reminder that old habits were often the smartest.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Crisp for One

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

These beef tips come out tender with a rich, savory gravy that cooks all day. It’s the kind of meal that used to show up at Sunday dinner without fail. Serve it over noodles or mashed potatoes for something that feels like home. The prep is quick, and the slow cooker does the rest. This kind of recipe still works just as well now as it did back then.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is surprisingly quick to make. It’s full of simple ingredients and cooks up in under 30 minutes. Meals like this used to be a go-to for hosting or quiet nights in. It doesn’t try to do too much, and that’s why it works so well. Bringing it back just makes sense for nights when you want something that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Crock Pot Chili for Two

This chili is scaled down but still big on flavor, perfect for smaller households. The slow cooker makes it easy to prep and forget while it simmers into something rich and hearty. Recipes like this were common before everything started coming in bulk. It’s a smart way to bring back a style of cooking that focuses on practicality and taste. Meals like this never went out of style—they just got overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chili for Two

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

These are everything you remember from baked potato night, just brought back with extra flavor. They’re easy to prep ahead and work well as a side or main. The cheesy filling and crispy edges bring back that comforting mix of soft and crunchy. This kind of side dish used to show up often, and for good reason. It’s worth keeping in rotation again.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Pork roast cooked low and slow brings back memories of weekend dinners and family meals. It’s simple to prep and fills the house with that kind of smell that makes everyone hungry. The meat comes out tender and ready to pair with just about anything. Recipes like this were built for feeding people without stress. That’s exactly why it should be part of the rotation again.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Easy Beef Stew

This stew is full of classic ingredients and comes together with a short list of steps. It’s the kind of thing people used to throw together with what was on hand. With tender beef and soft vegetables, it hits all the right notes for a comfort meal. Letting it simmer brings out the flavor without much effort. These kinds of dinners always had staying power.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stew

Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are the kind you’d find cooling on the counter back in the day. The batch is just enough to share without having extras hanging around. It’s a simple mix of familiar ingredients that work every time. These days, making a few cookies at a time feels smarter than making dozens. That’s why this version fits right in.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maryland Crab Cakes

These crab cakes hold on to the way they’ve always been done—simple and full of flavor. They cook up fast and don’t require a long list of ingredients. Small portions make them easier to manage whether it’s lunch or dinner. This recipe brings back the kind of seafood dish that once felt common at home. It’s one that still deserves a spot at the table.
Get the Recipe: Maryland Crab Cakes

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

No-bake cookies like these used to be a regular part of after-school routines. They’re fast to mix and don’t need the oven, which makes them good for warmer days too. The texture is chewy with just the right amount of chocolate. Recipes like this were smart because they were easy and quick. It’s one worth keeping around.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

This soup is simple, hearty, and comes together with basic ingredients. It’s the kind of meal people used to make at the start of the week and eat over a few days. The slow cooker keeps things easy and hands-off. Cabbage soup like this shows up in old cookbooks for a reason. It’s still just as useful now.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Cabbage Soup

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie brings back the mix of flaky crust and warm filling that used to mean dinner was something special. It’s still a smart way to use up odds and ends while keeping things comforting. This version is easy enough for weeknights and sturdy enough for weekends. Meals like this were regulars for a reason—they just worked. It’s good to have that kind of thing on hand again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Crock Pot Tomato Soup

This tomato soup simmers slowly for a flavor that feels like it’s been passed down. It’s easy to throw together and even easier to pair with a sandwich or salad. The slow cooker gives it a homemade feel without a lot of effort. These kinds of soups were staples in plenty of homes. There’s still a place for them now.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Tomato Soup

Individual Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie in smaller portions makes an old recipe feel new again. It’s still packed with the same layers of meat and potatoes, just portioned out for less mess. These are easy to bake and even easier to serve. Recipes like this were made for feeding people well. They’re the kind we should bring back.
Get the Recipe: Individual Shepherd’s Pie

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

This version keeps things simple but still brings that rich, creamy texture you remember. It’s baked in one dish and goes with just about anything. The prep is straightforward and doesn’t take much time. These used to be on every holiday table and plenty of regular ones too. It’s a smart one to hang onto.
Get the Recipe: Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

This ham brings back those glazed flavors people used to love on Sundays or holidays. The air fryer makes it faster without drying things out. It’s easy enough for any day, not just special ones. This kind of dish used to feel like a treat without much extra effort. That’s why it still holds up.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Air Fryer Ham

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon used to show up on dinner tables all the time, and for good reason. It’s quick, filling, and full of flavor. This version keeps it simple and gets dinner on the table fast. Side dishes like this had their place, and they still do. It’s worth putting back in the mix.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan is one of those casseroles that reminds you how smart home cooks used to be. It’s easy to prep ahead and bake into something creamy and warm. It works well for weeknights or when you’ve got company. Recipes like this stuck around because they made life easier. It’s time to bring them back.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

This version sticks close to the original and brings back that soft texture and full flavor. It’s baked all in one pan and makes dinner feel steady and familiar. It’s a smart choice for when you want something that doesn’t take a ton of steps. Meatloaf like this was a go-to for a reason. It still earns a spot on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Easy Yeast Rolls

These rolls are soft, warm, and don’t take too much effort to make. They bring back the kind of baking people used to do more often. A batch of these fits well with any dinner, whether it’s fancy or not. They freeze well too, making them practical for now. Old recipes like this one still make a lot of sense.
Get the Recipe: Easy Yeast Rolls