Old-School Recipes Just Like Grandma Used to Make

Though these dishes may be retro, the flavors are bold, fresh and timeless.

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Christopher Testani

Slow-Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

No matter if you have the sniffles or simply a case of the Mondays, this warming bowl will make you feel cozy.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Apple Pie

Bobby Flay opts for shortening in the dough of this impressive apple pie, so the crust turns out flaky every time.

Get the Recipe: Apple Pie

Meatloaf

Sweet, savory and tangy, the glaze atop Ree Drummond's bacon-wrapped meatloaf comes together with ketchup, brown sugar and a bit of Worcestershire sauce.

Get the Recipe: Meatloaf

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Grandma likely didn't take any shortcuts when cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't make your life a bit easier. Start with store-bought pie crust to guarantee this fuss-free dinner is on the table in less than 45 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Macaroni and Cheese

Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses combine to create a rich sauce for the pasta that's as gooey as it is flavorful. Tyler Florence tops the mac with a final blanket of cheese before moving it to the oven to bake.

Get the Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese

Lasagna

Layered with crumbled sausage, fresh vegetables and a creamy ricotta mixture, Anne Burrell's big-batch lasagna stars her classic marinara sauce, made with fresh garlic and Italian tomatoes.

Gumbo

Full of fresh vegetables, juicy brined chicken and both andouille and smoked sausages, Guy Fieri's top-rated gumbo gets its robust flavor from a long-cooking roux.

Get the Recipe: Gumbo

Banana Bread

There's a very strong possibility that this classic banana bread will be the best you've ever made. If that's the case, we won't tell Grandma that you like this one more than hers; your secret is safe with us.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

You know how Granny would often float a peppermint stick or a candy cane in your creamy hot cocoa? This quick-fix cup tastes just like that, but it's made with a few drops of peppermint oil instead of the candy.

Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Lemon Chicken Breasts

Ina Garten cooks lean chicken breasts with a splash of white wine and some refreshing lemon zest to add bright flavor to the meat.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Breasts

Perfect Pot Roast

There's no doubt that Ree's recipe deserves its "perfect" name — after all, it's a no-fail meat-and-veggie dinner that delivers comforting results every time.

Get the Recipe: Perfect Pot Roast

Mashed Potatoes

By boiling the potatoes with a bay leaf and salt, Tyler begins infusing them with flavor from the very beginning. And afterward, of course, the butter and heavy cream guarantee smooth, rich results.

Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Chocolate Chip Cookies

According to the chefs of Food Network Kitchen: "This is such an easy chocolate chip cookie. No special equipment, no creaming — a perfect cookie to do with kids." It's probably just like the recipe Grandma made with you when you were little.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Biscuits

You're only 30 minutes away from enjoying light, fluffy, buttery biscuits just like Granny's time-honored recipe.

Get the Recipe: Biscuits

Chicken Noodle Casserole

When it comes to making a baked pasta like this, it's important to think about cooking times. As the chefs in Food Network Kitchen explain, "Partially cooking the egg noodles allows them to soak up the flavorful sauce without becoming too soft."

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Fried Chicken

By marinating the chicken in a buttermilk-hot sauce mixture before frying, Katie Lee helps it turn out both flavorful and plenty moist.

Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken

Smothered Pork Chops

It's all about the spicy-flour coating in Tyler's fan-favorite recipe: It's used to dredge the chops and also to flavor what will eventually be the thick, creamy gravy.

Get the Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Classic American Grilled Cheese

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this tried-and-true sandwich, and this recipe, from Jeff Mauro, the Sandwich King himself, is as traditional as it gets.

Get the Recipe: Classic American Grilled Cheese

Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae

If Grandma used to spoil you with an extra-special treat of an ice cream sundae when you visited her house, think of this recipe from Ree as an homage to those memories. Ree's dessert goes beyond the usual scoops of ice cream — though they're here too — with the addition of a skillet chocolate chip cookie as the base of the sundae.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Caramel Ice Cream Sundae

Chicken and Rice Casserole

The ultimate all-in-one dinner, this 5-star casserole boasts a protein, a veggie and a starch — rotisserie chicken, broccoli and rice, respectively — and it cooks in a single skillet.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole