37 Recipes Proving that Old School is the New Cool

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This collection of recipes proves that old school is still the best school when it comes to classic dishes. From cafeteria-style school pizza and spaghetti to Salisbury steak, easy desserts, and sweet treats like sticky buns, these old school recipes making a comeback, show that class is still in session for traditional dishes.

Italian Meatloaf

Meatloaf has been a popular meal for many decades and this recipe brings all those old school flavors to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Grandma’s Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968)

A slice of bread with butter on a plate, featuring a butter knife and a green cloth in the background, ready to be enjoyed with Grandma's recipes. — Grandma’s Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968). Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968) is your new favorite bread. The cheesy onion flavor tastes amazing and the aroma while bread is baking is heavenly.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Surprise Onion Soup Bread (1968)

Old Fashioned Pork Roast With Vegetables And Gravy (Slow Cooker)

A plate of mashed potatoes and gravy next to a slice of old fashioned meatloaf. — Old Fashioned Pork Roast With Vegetables And Gravy (Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This easy Old Fashioned Pork Roast with Vegetables and Gravy (Slow Cooker) recipe is so full of flavor. Tender pork roast smothered in a wonderful gravy.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pork Roast With Vegetables And Gravy (Slow Cooker)

Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe

A stack of golden-brown crab cakes garnished with fresh parsley and cherry tomatoes, inspired by old-fashioned recipes. — Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe is so easy and super tasty! Use fresh salmon fillet or canned salmon combined with onions, mustard, mayo, crumbs and more!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Caramel Sticky Buns

Old School Recipes: Caramel pecan rolls on a wooden board. — Grandma’s Old Fashioned Caramel Sticky Buns. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas

Old fashioned sticky buns are caramel pecan rolls, with or without nuts. These cinnamon caramel sticky buns are perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Grandma’S Old Fashioned Caramel Sticky Buns

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fruit Salad

Bowl of creamy fruit salad with grapes and chocolate chips, accompanied by a banana, apple, and pear on a wooden table. — Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fruit Salad. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s old-fashioned fruit salad with mayonnaise is easily my favorite holiday fruit salad. This creamy fruit salad recipe comes together quickly with just some fresh fruit, chocolate chips for added sweetness, and a 2-ingredient dressing.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fruit Salad

Strawberry Shortcake

Looking for a sweet and refreshing treat to enjoy on your next picnic? These individual strawberry shortcakes are the perfect choice! With their fluffy biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream, they’re a delicious and portable dessert.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

Old Fashioned Lasagna

A plate of baked lasagna with a fork and basil. — Lasagna al Forno. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This lasagna al forno is an authentic Italian dish bursting with rich meaty flavors, homemade bechamel sauce, veggies and more.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna al Forno

Classic Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie on a plate with whipping cream. — Classic Key Lime Pie. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Get ready to pucker up with our classic key lime pie recipe! This tangy and sweet dessert will transport you to the Florida Keys with its zesty lime flavor and creamy texture. It’s the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and the crust adds a nice crunch to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Classic Key Lime Pie

Old Fashioned Roasted Chicken

A whole roasted chicken on a platter. — Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

The key to the best holiday roasted chicken might lie in the simplicity of the recipe. Also ideal for a regular weeknight dinner when you want something a little fancier, this no-fuss, one-pot whole chicken is a real winner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken

Italian Beef

You won’t be able to resist making slow cooker Italian beef again and again once you try it. This hearty and filling dish is perfect on toasted rolls or hoagie buns, and the slow-cooked beef is incredibly tender and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef

Simple Ribollita Bean Soup

Italian bean soup in a bowl with parmesan cheese on top. — Simple Ribollita Bean Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Create a delicious, healthy, and hearty white bean kale soup with Ribollita Italian bean soup featuring a variety of vegetables, beans, and seasonings. This versatile Italian soup recipe is perfect for using up any vegetables approaching the end of their prime.
Get the Recipe: Simple Ribollita Bean Soup

School Cafeteria Spaghetti

A plate of old school spaghetti with tomato sauce and sprinkled with shredded cheese. — School Cafeteria Spaghetti. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This school cafeteria spaghetti recipe will have you recalling the flavor of childhood. This simple recipe tastes like lunch period!
Get the Recipe: School Cafeteria Spaghetti

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe

An old-fashioned biscuit served on top of a bed of ground beef and vegetable mixture. — Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This old fashioned sloppy joes recipe combines the sweet and savory flavors of sloppy joes with rich, buttery biscuits for an easy 20 minute dinner.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe

Old Fashioned Apple Turnover Recipe

A basket of freshly baked pies, crafted from old-fashioned recipes, wrapped in a green cloth with fruits and a cup of tea in the background. — Old Fashioned Apple Turnover Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This old fashioned apple turnover recipe is easy to make and it includes crispy puff pastry and sweet apple middle.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Turnover Recipe

School Breakfast Pizza

Pieces of an old school recipes breakfast pizza with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, and vegetables on a gray surface.

This easy school breakfast pizza is everything we ever loved about the cafeteria classic only better and loaded with great ingredients.
Get the Recipe: School Breakfast Pizza

Old Fashioned Cream Of Broccoli Soup

A bowl of broccoli soup recipes with cheese and bread. — Old Fashioned Cream Of Broccoli Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This simple recipe shows you how to make an easy, healthy, old fashioned cream of broccoli soup, with or without cheese in it.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cream Of Broccoli Soup

Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak With Onion Gravy

Old fashioned sliced meatloaf with brown gravy on a plate. — Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak With Onion Gravy. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Salisbury Steak with onion gravy is classic comfort food. This homemade Salisbury Steak recipe with onion and mushroom gravy is a winner!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak With Onion Gravy

Old Fashioned Cucumbers And Onions In Vinegar

Bowls of old-fashioned cucumber salad with dill and red onion on a table with scattered wooden tokens. — Old Fashioned Cucumbers And Onions In Vinegar. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Old-fashioned cucumbers and onions in vinegar make the perfect summertime cucumber and onion salad. So easy to make and refreshing to eat.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cucumbers And Onions In Vinegar

Easy No Bake Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

A slice of creamy chocolate pie with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top, served on a plate with a fork. — Easy No Bake Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This no-bake old fashioned chocolate pie recipe is rich, creamy, and so chocolatey. It has all the flavor and texture of chocolate mousse with far less effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy No Bake Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Mom’s Old Fashioned Stovetop Pot Roast

A plate of old-fashioned pulled beef with mashed potatoes, gravy, and sliced carrots. — Mom’s Old Fashioned Stovetop Pot Roast. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Mom’s Best Easy Stovetop Pot Roast recipe cooks a moist, tender beef pot roast with gravy from scratch for a family dinner everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Mom’s Old Fashioned Stovetop Pot Roast

Grandma Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

A slice of pumpkin pie from Grandma's recipes, topped with whipped cream on a white plate. — Grandma Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This grandma old fashioned sweet potato pie recipe really is just like grandma used to make. Every bite is sweet nostalgia!
Get the Recipe: Grandma Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

No Bake Cookies With Old Fashioned Oats And Caramel

A stack of three homemade, old fashioned oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. — No Bake Cookies With Old Fashioned Oats And Caramel. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Caramel no bake cookies are a winner any time. These easy no bake preacher cookies with old fashioned oats have a caramel twist that everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Cookies With Old Fashioned Oats And Caramel

The Best Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake

A slice of old fashioned apple cake topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce on a plate. — The Best Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

The Best Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake recipe is so easy, moist, full of fresh apples, nuts, raisins, cinnamon and is the best recipe ever!
Get the Recipe: The Best Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake

Old Fashioned Cabbage Kielbasa And Bacon

A bowl of old-fashioned pasta with sliced sausage and a creamy sauce, served on a table with condiments in the background. — Old Fashioned Cabbage Kielbasa And Bacon. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Old Fashioned Cabbage Kielbasa and Bacon is a hearty dish, full of flavor using only a few ingredients, budget friendly and ready in less than 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Cabbage Kielbasa And Bacon

Old-Fashioned Zucchini Squash Casserole Recipe

A plate of old-fashioned zucchini casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh herbs. — Old-Fashioned Zucchini Squash Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This old-fashioned zucchini squash casserole recipe is so easy to make and is perfect for family dinners or holidays!
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Zucchini Squash Casserole Recipe

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Cake Recipe

Old fashioned layered coconut cake with caramel drizzle and fruit topping on a wooden cake stand. — Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Cake Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This banana pudding cake recipe is filled with tender cake, tasty pudding, and rich frosting. It’s a banana and cake lover’s dream!
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Cake Recipe

Old-Fashioned Hamburger Casserole

Close-up of an old-fashioned creamy baked dish with melted cheese on top. — Old-Fashioned Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

An easy recipe, old-fashioned hamburger casserole relies on creamy canned soup and a few other simple ingredients for its flavor and texture!
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Hamburger Casserole

Old-Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup

A bowl of soup with beans, carrots, and meat featuring popular soup recipes. — Old-Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Old-fashioned ham and bean soup is a hearty meal for cold days. Filled with ham, beans, carrots, and celery, hambone soup will be a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup

Grandma’s Rhubarb Custard Bars

A serving of strawberry rhubarb crumble from grandma's recipes on a plate with fresh strawberries on the side. — Grandma’s Rhubarb Custard Bars. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s recipe for rhubarb custard bars are melt in your mouth delicious especially warm, right out of the oven. These are the best custard rhubarb bars around!
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Rhubarb Custard Bars

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

Grandma's holiday-themed peanut butter fudge squares topped with festive sprinkles. — Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s old fashioned fudge recipe combines delicious flavors, nostalgia, and ease in equal measure. Get all the flavor without all the work
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions

A plate of seasoned pearl onions garnished with herbs, accompanied by a honey dipper, inspired by recipes from grandma. — Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s Honey Glazed Pearl Onions recipe is a delicious side dish that’s so easy to prepare. The honey glaze adds a nice balance to the pearl onions. It only takes a few ingredients to make these honey glazed onions.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Honey Glazed Onions

Grandma’s Coleslaw

A bowl of grandma's recipes coleslaw with sliced grapes and almonds. — Grandma’s Coleslaw. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s Coleslaw is fresh and flavorful. This perfectly creamy side dish is perfect for your next bbq or potluck.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Coleslaw

A slice of Oreo cookies-and-cream cake with frosting, partially eaten, on an ornate plate with a fork. — Grandma’s Oreo Cookie Cake. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s Oreo Cookie Cake recipe combines all the flavor of a tender bundt cake with Oreos cookies! This cookies and cream cake is perfect for all occasions and you’re not going to believe how easy it is to make.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Oreo Cookie Cake

Old Fashioned Crunchy Apple Bake

A plate of old fashioned apple crumble with raisins. — Old Fashioned Crunchy Apple Bake. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Baked apples and raisins with a crunchy oatmeal and pecan streusel topping. This recipe for Old Fashioned Crunchy Apple Bake is incredibly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Crunchy Apple Bake

Grandma’s Brisket Recipe

A plate of food with sliced beef, broccoli, and noodles from grandma's recipes, alongside a cutting board with a larger piece of cooked beef and utensils. — Grandma’s Brisket Recipe. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma’s brisket recipe is easy to make, and turns out so tender, juicy and flavorful. Your entire family will fall in love with this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Brisket Recipe

My Grandma’s Cream Of Tomato Soup

A bowl of creamy tomato soup with pasta and chunks of vegetables on a striped cloth, inspired by recipes from grandma. — My Grandma’s Cream Of Tomato Soup. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

My Grandma’s Cream of Tomato Soup has been my favorite soup ever since I can remember. Creamy tomato goodness in every spoonful!
Get the Recipe: My Grandma’s Cream Of Tomato Soup

John Wayne Casserole

A dinner casserole with cheese and meat. — John Wayne Casserole. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

You are going to love this John Wayne Casserole. It’s packed full of savory beef and veggies, with a golden brown biscuit crust.
Get the Recipe: John Wayne Casserole

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.