48 Retro Family Dinners That Deserve a Comeback
48 Retro Family Dinners That Deserve a Comeback
Read Time: 22 mins
48 Retro Family Dinners That Deserve a Comeback
carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein
carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. 3/48 Mom’s Roast Beef 38 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mom’s Roast Beef Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom’s specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked beef with gravy: 210 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 435mg
sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein
sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 4/48 Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy sandwich filling is easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over so well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I’m always asked what my secret ingredient is! —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 264 calories,
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 lean meat
7g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 lean meat. 5/48 Glazed Cornish Hens with Pecan-Rice Stuffing Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 2 hours 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cornish hens bake up with a lovely golden brown shine when they are basted with my sweet and tangy glaze. The traditional rice stuffing has some added interest with crunchy pecans and sweet golden raisins.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 hen with 1
They go well with chips and a salad for a quick lunch
tablespoon sauce: 1075 calories, 68g fat (20g saturated fat), 371mg cholesterol, 905mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 65g protein. 6/48 Tuna Melt 2 Reviews Test 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.
A good friend shared a version of this recipe with me 35 years ago
7/48 Chicken Tetrazzini 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Diana Rattray for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 2 casseroles (4 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A good friend shared a version of this recipe with me 35 years ago. I pay it forward by bringing the second casserole to friends when they are unable to cook. —Helen McPhee, Savoy, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 576 calories, 30g fat (17g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. 8/48 Swedish Meatballs 59 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Swedish
The scent of browning meat is intoxicating
Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas Nutrition Facts: 6 meatballs with 1-3/4 cups noodles and about 1/3 cup gravy: 834 calories, 33g fat (14g saturated fat), 248mg cholesterol, 1711mg sodium, 81g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 50g protein. 9/48 Spanish Rice
My mom is famous for her Spanish rice recipe, the ultimate comfort food
with Ground Beef 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mom’s Spanish Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom is famous for her Spanish rice recipe, the ultimate comfort food. When I want a taste of home, I whip up this dish. Punch up the flavor with a little lime and extra chili powder. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 408 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3
lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable
lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable. 10/48 Flavorful Pot Roast 147 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Flavorful Pot Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 10 min Servings 15 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top.—Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah Nutrition Facts: 6 ounce-weight: 142 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 496mg sodium, 3g
carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 15g protein
carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 15g protein. 11/48 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 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. 12/48 Slow-Cooked Chicken a la King 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooked
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch
Chicken a la King Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I know I’ll be having a busy day with little time for cooking, I prepare this tasty main dish. Brimming with tender chicken and colorful vegetables, it smells so good while cooking. —Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 cup chicken mixture: 174 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 268mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch. 13/48 Mini Hot Browns 5
Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 98 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 14/48 No-Fuss Pork Chops 28 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go
to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tender chops taste like sweet-and-sour pork but require little attention or time. I prepare them year-round, whenever I’m on a tight schedule but still want something scrumptious. —Sally Jones, Lancaster, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop: 315 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. 15/48 The Best Shepherd’s Pie 137 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the
best shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve ever tasted
best shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve ever tasted. It’s very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 472 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein. 16/48 Chicken Amandine 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Amandine Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With colorful green beans and pimientos, this attractive casserole is terrific for the holidays. This is
true comfort food at its finest
true comfort food at its finest. —Kat Woolbright, Wichita Falls, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 297 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 912mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. 17/48 Pork Roast 37 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sunday Pork Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 5 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mom would prepare pork roast for our family, friends and customers at the three restaurants she and Dad owned. The herb rub and vegetables give it a remarkable flavor. It’s one of my
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Crescent Turkey Casserole 32 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids?
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Best Lasagna 106 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Best Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal?
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⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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