20 Old-School Recipes That Prove You Can't Beat the Classics

When it comes to hearty flavor and easy prep, you can't bet old-school recipes. These recipes come from a time when it was all about using simple ingredients to create delicious flavors, and this collection of classics showcases that. Enjoy recipes that let the ingredients do the work, like Salisbury steak with gravy, old-fashioned fruit salad, school breakfast pizza, and more.

Grandma's Old Fashioned Fruit Salad

A plate of fruit salad. — 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.
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Old Fashioned Cucumbers And Onions In Vinegar

A bowl of cucumber salad. — 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.
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Easy No Bake Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

A slice of old-fashioned chocolate pie topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on a white 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.
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Old Fashioned Salmon Patties Recipe

Three breaded patties stacked, surrounded by garnishes of parsley and cherry tomatoes. The top patty is cut in half, showing a detailed interior. This dish is one of our must-try meals that promises an irresistible experience. — 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!
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Old Fashioned Cream Of Broccoli Soup

A bowl of creamy broccoli cheddar soup on a white surface, accompanied by a spoon, pieces of baguette, and a striped napkin, reflecting the mixology-inspired trend of incorporating complex flavors — 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.
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Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak With Onion Gravy

Close-up of Salisbury steak bite. — 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!
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Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Cake Recipe

A decadent cake topped with caramel drizzle, cream swirls, and sliced peaches on an old-fashioned 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!
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Old Fashioned Pork Roast With Vegetables And Gravy (Slow Cooker)

A plate of pork roast with gravy served alongside mashed potatoes, garnished with herbs, paired with an old fashioned cocktail. — 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.
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School Cafeteria Spaghetti

A plate of spaghetti with marinara sauce, ground meat, and shredded cheese, garnished with a sprig of parsley, next to an old-fashioned striped napkin. — 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!
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School Breakfast Pizza

Breakfast tacos filled with scrambled eggs, ground beef, bacon, and melted cheese on an old-fashioned metal tray. — School Breakfast Pizza. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas

This easy school breakfast pizza is everything we ever loved about the cafeteria classic only better and loaded with great ingredients.
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Old-Fashioned Hamburger Casserole

ground beef potato dish with melted cheese and golden-brown topping in an old-fashioned white baking dish. — 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!
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The Best Old-Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole

A spoon lifting a serving of creamy tuna noodle casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping and vegetable sides from a baking dish. — Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

This is The Best Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe! It’s the perfect way to jazz canned tuna to create a classic and comforting meal any night of the week.
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Old-Fashioned Zucchini Squash Casserole Recipe

A vintage-style fork holding a bite of vegetable casserole with zucchini and carrots, focused closely with a blurred background. — 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!
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Grandma's Old Fashioned Caramel Sticky Buns

A batch of sticky buns topped with a caramel glaze and chopped nuts. — 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!
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No Bake Cookies With Old Fashioned Oats And Caramel

Three stacked homemade granola cookies with oats and chocolate chips, presented in a classic old-fashioned style on a white background. — 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.
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Grandma's Homemade White Bread

Sliced white bread on a wooden board with bowls of grated cheese and an old-fashioned whiskey cocktail in the background. — Grandma's Homemade White Bread. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma's Homemade White Bread is the best grandma's old fashioned white bread recipe with yeast that makes soft, classic farmhouse bread from scratch.
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Mom's Old Fashioned Stovetop Pot Roast

A plate of shredded beef with sliced carrots and mashed potatoes, served with an old fashioned cocktail. — 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.
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Grandma's Chocolate Pistachio Honeycomb

A tray of assorted honeycomb pieces. — Grandma's Chocolate Pistachio Honeycomb. Photo Credit: Kitchen Divas.

Grandma's Chocolate Covered Honeycomb is a fabulous dessert or snack. This rustic chocolate pistachio bar is always a hit with everyone.
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Old Fashioned Crunchy Apple Bake

A bowl of old-fashioned apple crumble with raisins and a crunchy topping, served on a white plate. — 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.
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Old Fashioned Cabbage Kielbasa And Bacon

A plate of cabbage with sliced sausages and a creamy sauce, served on a table with fresh flowers and classic cocktails 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!
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