We grew up eating these 21 foods—kids today want nothing to do with them

Food trends come and go, but some of the biggest surprises are the dishes we once thought everyone loved. Back in the day, these foods were staples—packed into lunchboxes, served at family dinners, and enjoyed without a second thought. Fast forward to today, and many kids won’t even give them a chance. Whether it’s changing tastes, new ingredients, or just different food trends, these once-popular favorites have fallen out of favor with a new generation. Get ready for a nostalgic look at the foods we grew up on—and why they’re no longer kid-approved.

Salisbury Steak Kids Won’t Touch

White plate with salisbury steak on it and a mushroom on top of them. — Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Ground beef in mushroom gravy was a dinner favorite for generations. Today’s kids may turn up their noses, but it still brings warm nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Turkey Tetrazzini Kids Skip

A casserole of turkey and noodles tetrazzini with a serving spoon resting in the center. — Turkey Tetrazzini. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Creamy turkey and noodles were a comforting family dish. Modern kids may favor trendier meals, but nostalgia makes this a must-try.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini

Tuna Noodle Casserole Forgotten

Tuna noodle casserole with vegetables in a shallow light green bowl. — Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Classic tuna and noodle casserole was a weekday hero. Kids today often overlook it, but adults remember its creamy comfort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Swedish Meatballs Kids Skip

An image of Swedish Meatballs on bowls. — Swedish Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Swedish meatballs with creamy sauce were a classic dinner hit. Today’s kids may pass, but it still delivers retro flavor.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

Beef Stroganoff Kids Avoid

Crockpot beef stroganoff with wooden spoon. — Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Creamy beef and mushroom stroganoff was a comforting family classic. Modern kids may skip it, but it still satisfies adults craving nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff

Baked Mac & Cheese Kids Avoid

An overhead image of a cooked gouda mac and cheese in a baking pan. — Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Baked mac and cheese was a creamy, cheesy comfort food staple. Today’s kids may skip it, but nostalgia makes adults swoon over it.
Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Chicken Cacciatore Retro Dish

An image of Chicken Cacciatore. — Old-School Chicken Cacciatore. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Chicken simmered with tomato and vegetables was a retro dinner favorite. Kids today often skip it, but it still delivers rich flavors.
Get the Recipe: Old-School Chicken Cacciatore

Green Bean Casserole Kids Ignore

An image of a white plate with a serving of cheesy green bean casserole with a fork on the side, and the casserole behind it. — Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cheesy green bean casserole was a nostalgic holiday staple. Modern kids rarely eat it, but it still brings comfort to adults.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Sloppy Joes Forgotten Lunch

Close-up image of homemade sloppy joe on a plate. — Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Tangy Sloppy Joes were a lunchbox hit for decades. Today’s kids may skip them, but adults still crave that classic flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Stuffed Peppers Retro Dinner

A photo showing vegan stuffed peppers arranged on a white plate, set atop a brown cloth, with a fork and knife placed beside. — Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Stuffed peppers with grains and veggies were a hearty classic. Kids today might skip them, but adults remember their satisfying flavor.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Cabbage Rolls Kids Avoid

Two cabbage rolls on a plate with fork. — Cabbage Rolls. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Stuffed cabbage with meat and rice was a family favorite. These days, kids often ignore it, but it still delivers nostalgic taste.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Rolls

Ricotta Shells Kids Skip

An overhead image of serving stuffed shells with ricotta. — Stuffed Shells (with Ricotta). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Ricotta-stuffed shells baked in marinara were a freezer favorite. Modern kids might pass, but adults still savor this retro dish.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells (with Ricotta)

Ham Steak Kids Ignore

Close-up image of pineapple glazed on a plate. — Ham Steak with Pineapple Rings. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Pineapple-glazed ham was a sweet and savory dinner hit. Today’s kids may skip it, but adults remember its retro charm.
Get the Recipe: Ham Steak with Pineapple Rings

Chicken Fried Steak Kids Skip

Close-up image of Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak. — Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Crispy chicken fried steak with gravy was a Southern classic. Modern kids may avoid it, but adults still crave the nostalgic flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy

Shepherd’s Pie Kids Skip

A lamb shepherd's pie served in a glass dish. — Lamb Shepherd’s Pie. Photo Credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen

Lamb shepherd’s pie with mashed potatoes was a hearty family favorite. Today’s kids may skip it, but it still brings retro comfort.
Get the Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

Corned Beef Hash: A Retro Breakfast Favorite

Close-up image of corned beef hash topped with egg on a plate. — Corned Beef Hash with Eggs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This hearty corned beef hash takes you straight back to classic breakfasts of the past. Modern kids rarely taste this stick-to-your-ribs favorite.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Hash with Eggs

Chicken Divan: Nostalgic Cheesy Casserole

A casserole dish with cheese and broccoli on a napkin. — Chicken Divan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Cheesy broccoli and tender chicken make this retro casserole unforgettable. Today’s kids rarely get to enjoy this mid-century dinner classic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

Old-School Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Low Carb Spaghetti Bolognese in a grey bowl with extra sauce on the side. — Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

This classic spaghetti with rich meat sauce brings back family dinner memories. Few kids today ever experience this comforting old-school favorite.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Tamale Pie: A Vintage Family Dish

A plate of Easy Chicken Tamale Pie. — Tamale Pie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Spiced chicken topped with cornbread makes this tamale pie a nostalgic hit. Kids today rarely see this mid-century weeknight classic on the table.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pie

American Goulash: Comfort in a Skillet

A plate of American Chop Suey (American Goulash). — Goulash (American Chop Suey). Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This American goulash mixes pasta, beef, and tomato sauce in one comforting skillet. Modern kids might never discover this throwback dinner favorite.
Get the Recipe: Goulash (American Chop Suey)

Cheesy Chicken Alfredo: A Freezer-Era Classic

Penne and chicken in a casserole dish with pesto and cheese. — Chicken Alfredo Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This creamy chicken Alfredo casserole delivers cheesy comfort from the freezer dinner era. Few kids today will ever taste this classic family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Casserole

These 27 dishes grandma made became family legends — do you remember them?

Grandma made meals that showed up at every gathering and somehow tasted even better each time. They became part of family history, talked about long after the plates were cleared. A single smell could bring it all rushing back in an instant. Chances are, at least a few of these legendary favorites sound very familiar.
Get the Full List of Recipes Here: These 27 dishes grandma made became family legends — do you remember them?