The thing about the lost favorites we forgot about is that they never really went anywhere — we just stopped making them. These are the kinds of dishes that once showed up at every cookout, church potluck, and Sunday table, and they still hold up today. Each one reminds us how good simple food can be when it’s made to share, proving that some recipes never go out of style.
American Chop Suey (American Goulash). Photo credit: xoxoBella.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes stuffed with mushrooms, spinach, and cheddar hit that balance between hearty and easy. It’s a combination that explains why some meals never fade out.
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Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese
Green bean casserole with cream cheese delivers that familiar flavor people still crave today. It fits perfectly with the kind of dishes that never left our memories.
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Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan holds onto its place in food history with that creamy, broccoli-filled bake. It’s everything people loved about dependable family casseroles.
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Swiss Steak
Swiss steak simmered in tomato sauce is the kind of dinner that feels like it came straight from the family recipe box. It’s one of those lost favorites we forgot about but instantly recognize.
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Corn Casserole
Corn casserole built from pantry staples delivers that nostalgic flavor we still crave. It’s one of those dishes that quietly connects every generation.
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Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole
Asparagus casserole with cheddar and crisp topping feels timeless every time it comes out of the oven. It’s one of those sides that’s stayed welcome at gatherings for years.
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Easy Chicken Tamale Pie
Chicken Tamale Pie layers cornbread and savory filling into a dish that feels both retro and comforting. It’s the kind of meal that shows why casseroles lasted.
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Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles
Bread and butter pickles bring that crisp, tangy bite that always found its way to summer tables. Their familiar flavor is exactly why we still reach for them.
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Pesto Tortellini Salad
Tortellini pasta salad shows that fast, no-fuss meals have always had a place on busy nights. Its familiar flavor earns it a spot among the lost favorites we forgot about.
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Old Fashioned Ham Salad
Old-fashioned ham salad delivers that tangy, creamy bite that never fades from memory. It’s the kind of spread that instantly feels like part of the past in the best way.
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Classic American Potato Salad
American potato salad keeps its classic appeal with flavors that get better overnight. It’s proof that the lost favorites we forgot about still make sense for modern meals.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad
Green Beans and Potatoes
Green beans and potatoes roasted in one pan bring back the spirit of shared meals from the past. It’s simple, practical, and timeless.
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Homemade Sloppy Joe
Sloppy Joes remind us that simple, hearty meals don’t need to change to stay good. They’ve been sticking around for decades for a reason.
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American Chop Suey (American Goulash)
American chop suey mixes pasta, beef, and tomato sauce in a way that still works today. It’s simple proof that old recipes knew exactly what made people happy.
Get the Recipe: American Chop Suey (American Goulash)
Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Cheesy mashed potatoes hit the same comfort zone that defined family meals back then. They’re rich, simple, and still perfect for feeding a crowd.
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Corn on the Cob
Microwave corn on the cob brings back the spirit of keeping things simple and good. It’s proof that convenience has always had a place in classic cooking.
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Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach with three cheeses stands out for its bold, rich flavor that feels vintage yet fresh. It’s the kind of side that never left holiday tables.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach
Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Pimento cheese sandwiches carry that retro charm that still feels right for summer spreads. Easy to prep and full of flavor, they remind us why simple recipes endure.
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Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese
Corn casserole with cream cheese keeps that same flexibility that made it a family go-to. It’s a dependable side that brings back the feeling of old potluck tables.
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Pea Salad
Pea salad holds onto its charm with creamy dressing and easy prep. It’s one of those lost favorites we forgot about but still love for gatherings.
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Chickpea Salad
Chickpea salad stays fresh overnight and keeps prep simple, just like older recipes did. It’s proof that time-tested methods still work best.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad
Turkey and Noodles Tetrazzini
Turkey tetrazzini turns leftovers into a creamy, crowd-pleasing meal. It’s the kind of dish that kept families fed and happy through the years.
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Ham
Ham made from wheat gluten shows how vintage spreads made room for everyone at the table. It’s a nod to creative cooking that never went out of style.
Get the Recipe: Ham
Eggplant Casserole
Eggplant casserole captures the comfort that keeps old recipes alive through generations. It’s simple, hearty, and exactly what made these lost favorites so lasting.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole
Beef Stroganoff
One-pan beef stroganoff keeps the same rich flavor people loved decades ago but with fewer steps. It’s a reminder that easy comfort food never needed updating.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Cheesy green bean casserole reminds us why certain dishes never leave the table. Quick to bake and easy to love, it’s a classic for good reason.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole that comes together in 10 minutes shows how practicality shaped the meals we grew up with. It’s comfort cooking that never lost its place.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
Deviled Eggs
Avocado deviled eggs add a modern touch to a classic everyone still remembers. Their make-ahead ease keeps them right at home among the lost favorites we forgot about.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs
Dense Bean Salad
Bean salad with chickpeas, black beans, and cilantro-lime dressing shows how quick dishes can still feel nostalgic. It’s easy, fresh, and brings back cookout memories.
Get the Recipe: Dense Bean Salad
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