15 Updated Vintage Dinner Recipes — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Vintage dinner recipes are a great way to bring a classic, nostalgic feel to your dinner table. Whether you’re looking for a comforting family meal or a special occasion dinner, these 15 updated vintage dinner recipes are sure to please. From classic comfort foods like macaroni and cheese to more sophisticated dishes like beef Wellington, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings. With easy-to-follow instructions and delicious ingredients, you’ll be able to recreate these vintage recipes with ease. So, get ready to enjoy a delicious dinner with these updated vintage recipes!

15 Updated Vintage Dinner Recipes

If you’re looking for a way to bring a little nostalgia to your dinner table, look no further than these updated vintage dinner recipes. From classic comfort foods to retro-inspired dishes, these recipes will take you back in time while still providing a delicious meal. So, grab your apron and get ready to cook up some deliciousness!

1. Classic Macaroni and Cheese

This classic comfort food is a must-have for any vintage dinner. To make it even more special, try adding some bacon or diced ham to the mix. You can also top it with a crunchy breadcrumb topping for an extra special touch.

2. Shepherd’s Pie

This hearty dish is a great way to use up any leftover meat and vegetables you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some mashed potatoes to the top for a creamy and delicious finish.

3. Chicken Pot Pie

This classic dish is a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some frozen vegetables to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

4. Baked Ziti

This classic Italian dish is a great way to use up any leftover pasta you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some ricotta cheese to the mix for a creamy and delicious finish.

5. Beef Stroganoff

This classic Russian dish is a great way to use up any leftover beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some sour cream to the mix for a creamy and delicious finish.

6. Salisbury Steak

This classic American dish is a great way to use up any leftover ground beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some mushrooms to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

7. Chicken and Dumplings

This classic Southern dish is a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some frozen vegetables to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

8. Chili Con Carne

This classic Mexican dish is a great way to use up any leftover ground beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some diced tomatoes to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

9. Beef Bourguignon

This classic French dish is a great way to use up any leftover beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some mushrooms to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

10. Chicken Cacciatore

This classic Italian dish is a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some diced tomatoes to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

11. Beef Wellington

This classic British dish is a great way to use up any leftover beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some mushrooms to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

12. Swedish Meatballs

This classic Scandinavian dish is a great way to use up any leftover ground beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some sour cream to the mix for a creamy and delicious finish.

13. Chicken Parmesan

This classic Italian dish is a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some mozzarella cheese to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

14. Beef Stroganoff

This classic Russian dish is a great way to use up any leftover beef you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some sour cream to the mix for a creamy and delicious finish.

15. Chicken and Dumplings

This classic Southern dish is a great way to use up any leftover chicken you have on hand. To make it even more special, try adding some frozen vegetables to the mix for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Did you grow up on meals like tuna noodle casserole and creamed chipped beef? Vintage dishes like these don’t tend to grace dinner tables much these days—they’re not exactly healthy options—but sometimes, it’s fun to look back at those classic dinner recipes.

If you’re looking for meals that are nostalgic but with a twist, look no further. These updates on old standards are just what your dinner rotation needs.

Check out all these old-fashioned-turned-new recipes below, and for more, check out 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.

Healthy turkey sloppy joes
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Sloppy joes made with turkey and fresh bell pepper pieces are a lot better than the canned version, trust us.

Get our recipe for Sloppy Joes. 

Slices of meatloaf on a plate with sides.
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

If you grew up hating meatloaf because of the breadcrumbs that were involved, we have some good news. Our recipe is free of breadcrumbs, relying on whole slices of bread instead. Yum!

Get our recipe for Meatloaf. 

Vegetarian green bean casserole
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Forget Cream of Mushroom soup. This recipe uses fresh mushroom slices, along with garlic, onion, and, yes, butter.

Get our recipe for Green Bean Casserole. 

RELATED: 13 Healthier Old-Fashioned Midwestern Recipes To Try Tonight

Healthy shepherd's pie
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Not into lamb? Try our shepherd’s pie recipe, which is made with sirloin instead.

Get our recipe for Shepherd’s Pie.

Healthy shrimp cocktail
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Think shrimp cocktail has to be unseasoned? Think again! This recipe adds Old Bay to the mix for a seafood dish that’s out of this world.

Get our recipe for Roasted Shrimp Cocktail. 

close up of Italian meatballs plate
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

If your meatballs have fewer than three types of meat in them, you might be missing out. Our Italian-grandmother-approved recipe uses ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal.

Get our recipe for Italian Meatballs. 

RELATED: 11 Italian Foods No One Eats in Italy

old fashioned potato salad
Shutterstock

Our potato salad recipe still uses mayo, but it doesn’t carry the dish entirely. Instead, we added Dijon mustard and vinegar for a tangy side dish that’s sure to please.

Get our recipe for Potato Salad. 

Healthy mac and cheese
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Homemade mac and cheese can be decadent but fattening. Our recipe uses Greek yogurt for all of the creaminess, minus the fat.

Get our recipe for Mac and Cheese. 

cheeseburger soup topped with cheese and bacon
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Forget potatoes; our cheeseburger soup recipe is keto-friendly. And while our grandparents and great-grandparents didn’t have Instant Pots, we bet they’d approve.

Get our recipe for Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup. 

keto cheeseburger casserole 2
Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!

Not into cheeseburger soup? Try this cheeseburger casserole and think of it as an updated, keto-friendly take on Hamburger Helper.

Get our recipe for Cheeseburger Casserole. 

mini beef wellington on platter
Courtesy of I Am a Food Blog

These miniature versions are the perfect way to ease into cooking a beef wellington dinner. They’re just so cute!

Get the recipe from I Am a Food Blog

wedge salad on plate
Courtesy of The View from Great Island

Wedge salads tend to include iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing, and bacon bits. This recipe incorporates all of those, but it also adds fresh vegetables like black olives, bell peppers, carrots, and more.

Get the recipe from The View from Great Island.

plate of cooked collard greens with lemon wedge
Courtesy of Cookie and Kate

You’ll actually want to eat your greens with this easy and flavorful recipe.

Get the recipe from Cookie and Kate

creamed corn
Courtesy of Well Plated

With Greek yogurt and honey, this recipe is a lighter take on the classic side dish. And you can make it right in your slow cooker.

Get the recipe from Well Plated

RELATED: The Best Classic Recipes Your Grandma Used to Make

hoppin John rice skillet
Courtesy of Diethood

Hoppin’ John is traditionally made with bacon. But this recipe uses leftover diced ham for an easy and resourceful twist. If you’re enjoying a spiral ham for dinner, consider using the leftovers in this flavorful recipe.

Get the recipe from Diethood

What are you waiting for? Go try these vintage dinner recipes ASAP.

Meghan De Maria

Meghan De Maria is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, specializing in food, product, and restaurant coverage. Read more