:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-soup-8ec430335f604969861dfcb9b14df289.png "12 Classic Recipes From Grandma’s Kitchen That Are Making a Comeback")
When I’m craving comfort food, I turn to the recipes my mom and grandmas used to make, like the classic cozy chicken and biscuits my mom would make to warm up a cold winter day, or a stack of peanut butter cookies we would bake together. And while I’m lucky enough to have the recipe cards for many of those dishes, you can start your own traditions right here, with these classic grandmacore recipes that taste just like home.
Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese
Photography: Carson Downing Food: Kelsey Moylan Props: Joseph Wanek Prop and Drop: Lexi Juhl
True story: I once denied the amazingness of my mom’s mac and cheese, and said the boxed, cheese-powder version was superior. (Horror!) But homemade is obviously a much more ooey-gooey and satisfying option—and I love this recipe in particular, since I can make it in advance. (It’s perfect for when you need a good meal-train recipe to share with a friend in need.)
Sheet Pan Apple Crisp
If you’re looking for something to do with all that fruit bounty after an apple-picking excursion, an apple crisp is so much easier (and dare we say it, even more delicious) than a whole pie. Baking it in a sheet pan ensures that everyone gets plenty of that sweet and crispy topping.
Beef Stew
Who can deny the beauty of a beef stew on a cold winter night? This old-school classic cooks up in the slow cooker, so you can set it and forget it while you’re attending to everything else you have going on.
Lemon Meringue Pudding
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist Claire Spollen
Lemon meringue isn’t a traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but that didn’t stop my grandmother from serving it. (My massive family required many multiples of pies to ensure everyone got a slice or three.)
If you don’t want to do a whole pie, consider this simple (and impressive) pudding. Our meringue cheat (topping the pudding with a store-bought meringue cookie) makes this a cinch to enjoy anytime.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Greg DuPree
My grandma was famous for the tasty sausage-and-egg casserole that was the centerpiece of her Easter brunch, but her version didn’t call for a tater tot crust. (And I think this takes it over the top!)
Chicken Noodle Soup
What’s more grandmacore than chicken noodle soup? The toughest part of this simple recipe is shredding the chicken after it simmers in the pot.
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
You probably already have everything in your kitchen to make this classic cookie—so it’s the perfect thing for a late-night snack or after-school treat.
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Biscuits
When I’m thinking comfort food, this cozy recipe checks all the boxes—it’s creamy and buttery, a little carby (thanks, biscuits!), and to top it off, it’s super simple to make in a slow cooker.
Pimiento Cheese Dip
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This creamy cheese dip (which can also be a tasty sandwich spread) is perfect for a family get-together. Serve it in a hollowed-out bread boule, with hunks of bread on the side!
Hot Honey Peach Upside-Down Cake
GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING BY EMILY NABORS HALL, PROP STYLING BY CLAIRE SPOLLEN
Upside-down cakes were a dinner party staple in the 1970s and 1980s. They look impressive—and are oh-so simple to make. This updated take on the classic cake swaps in peaches and hot honey in lieu of the old-school pineapple and brown sugar topping.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese
Bacon-wrapped anything is a classic sweet-and-smoky hors d’oeuvres. Just about anything is delicious (my mom often serves bacon-wrapped water chestnuts), but these sweet dates make a perfect sub in.
Parmesan Meatloaf
PHOTOGRAPHER: JENNIFER CAUSEY FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL PROP STYLIST: AUDREY DAVIS
If you think “comfort food,” a meatloaf is probably high on your list. Serve it with mashed potatoes for a tasty, throwback dinner that’ll definitely feel like home.
