42 Secret Recipes for Classic Diner Foods

Read Time: 18 mins

42 Secret Recipes for Classic Diner Foods2/41 Strawberry Floats 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Cream Floats Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When it starts warming up in Colorado, my kids ask for ice-cold treats. This rosy pink cream float is one of our household favorites. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without fresh strawberries): 383 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. 3/41 Blue

Happily, my gravy is not from a can

Plate Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Open Faced Turkey Sandwich Recipe photo by Kayla Widmer for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Turkey with gravy makes divine comfort food that reminds me of old-time diners on the East Coast that serve open faced turkey sandwiches just like this one. Happily, my gravy is not from a can. —Chris Schwester, Divide, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 2 open-faced sandwiches: 361 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 1462mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 4/41

Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe

Bacon Cheeseburger 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Cheeseburgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Where can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 472 calories, 25g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 947mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. 5/41 Buttermilk Pancakes 67 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You just can’t beat a basic buttermilk pancake for a down-home country breakfast. Paired with sausage and fresh fruit, these pancakes are just like the ones you get at Cracker Barrel. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 3 pancakes: 270 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein. 6/41 Easy Lemon Pie 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Lemon Pie Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve had

this one-bowl lemon pie recipe for years

this one-bowl lemon pie recipe for years. It’s my twist on chocolate French silk pie, and it’s uber easy to do with refrigerated pie pastry. —Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 475 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 147mg cholesterol, 197mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. 7/41 Ham and Cheese Omelet 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ham and Swiss Omelet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy omelet will be a snap to fix for breakfast or dinner. —Agnes

We share it when we have guests, too

Ward, Stratford, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 omelet: 510 calories, 37g fat (18g saturated fat), 655mg cholesterol, 1495mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 41g protein. 8/41 Stuffed Hash Browns 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stuffed Hash Browns Recipe photo by Isabella Cassini Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Ever since we met, my husband has made me hash browns with bacon, pepper jack and sour cream. We share it when we have guests, too. —Annie Ciszak Pazar, Anchorage, Alaska Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 410 calories, 27g fat (9g saturated fat), 26mg

cholesterol, 791mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein

cholesterol, 791mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein. 9/41 Chicken Salad Croissants 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tempting chicken salad that gets its special taste from Swiss cheese and pickle relish. It’s a favorite of my brother, who insists I make it whenever he visits. —Laura Koziarski, Battle Creek, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 593 calories, 40g fat (14g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 818mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. 10/41 Peanut Butter

You’ve got milk, peanut butter, and probably vanilla ice cream, too

Milkshake 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter Milkshake Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 3 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ve got milk, peanut butter, and probably vanilla ice cream, too. Using just a few ingredients, you can whip up this peanut butter milkshake recipe in seconds. —Joyce Turley, Slaughters, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 519 calories, 34g fat (12g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. 11/41 Red, White and Blueberry Pie 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Red, White and

It’s as pretty as it is tasty!

Blueberry Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy pie gets dressed up with berries to make a showstopping display at any Fourth of July party or summer get-together. It’s as pretty as it is tasty! —Kimberly McFarland, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 383 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 395mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 12/41 Biscuits and Sausage Gravy 87 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Recipe photo by Taste of

This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I’ve adapted

Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I’ve adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it’s served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 337 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein. 13/41 Moist Turkey Breast with White Wine Gravy 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Moist Turkey Breast with White Wine Gravy Recipe photo

It’s best with drinking wine, not cooking wine

by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I modified a favorite dish for slow cooker ease. It’s moist and tender each time and perfectly complemented by the white wine gravy. It’s best with drinking wine, not cooking wine. —Tina MacKissock, Manchester, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked turkey with 3 tablespoons gravy : 238 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 43g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 6 lean meat, 1/2 starch. 14/41 Arnold Palmer 13 Reviews Test Kitchen

Lemonade gives the drink a nice color too

Approved Arnold Palmer Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 12 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this delightful thirst quencher just takes it one step further. Lemonade gives the drink a nice color too. I dress up each glass with a slice of lemon on the rim. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 100 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 15/41 Tuna Melt 2 Reviews Test

They go well with chips and a salad for a quick lunch

Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When our children were young, I often fixed these warm, crunchy sandwiches. They go well with chips and a salad for a quick lunch. —Carole Anhalt, Manitowoc, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 363 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. 16/41 Fried Chicken 121 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crispy Fried Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe

Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken!

From the Recipe Creator: Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked chicken: 543 calories, 33g fat (7g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein. 17/41 Chocolate Chip Elvis Pancakes 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Chip Elvis Pancakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 16 pancakes Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m one of 13 children, so making a recipe that

everyone likes can be a challenge

everyone likes can be a challenge. This chocolate peanut butter pancakes recipe was a Saturday-morning special that we all loved. —Keenan McDermott, Springfield, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 2 pancakes: 291 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 429mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. 18/41 Super Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Heat up your indoor grill to make these ooey-gooey grilled cheese sandwich recipes. They’re delicious served with soup! —Debbie Murray, Fort Worth, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community