Nanna Approved: 21 Old-Fashioned Dishes Nanna Would Have Loved

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Nanna Approved: 21 Old-Fashioned Dishes Nanna Would Have Loved

Rediscover the warmth of Nanna’s kitchen with these 21 old-fashioned recipes that stand the test of time. These recipes aren’t just about food; they’re a journey back to cherished traditions that have been passed down through generations. Let your kitchen be a haven, a place where the essence of homestyle cooking wraps around you like a familiar, comforting hug. Take a breather from the chaos of modern life and let the soothing aroma of these dishes transport you to a simpler, more heartfelt time.

An apple cake on a white plate with cinnamon sticks.
Nanna’s Apple Cake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries in a bowl.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts brings a unique twist to a classic dish. The pairing of tender chicken with tangy cranberries and crunchy walnuts creates an explosion of flavors. The recipe is a remarkable example of successfully combining contrasting flavors. Each serving is a delightful experience that adds a special touch to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Egg Salad

The Best Egg Salad on the Planet.
Egg Salad. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

The simplicity of this egg salad doesn’t compromise its tasteful experience. Its creamy and smooth texture coupled with comforting flavors makes it an all-time favorite. This egg salad radiates the humble charm of classic home cooking. It’s a testament to how a straightforward array of ingredients can be turned into a truly satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Egg Salad

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Salisbury Steak on a bed of mashed potatoes.
Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

The Salisbury steak with mushrooms is a heartwarming dish that never fails to please. The blend of juicy steak, earthy mushrooms, and a rich gravy creates a perfect melody of flavors. Each bite is a hearty mouthful reminiscent of heartily prepared home-cooked meals. It’s a timeless recipe that continues to captivate and feed many hungry souls.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Homemade Corned Beef

Homemade corned beef on a white plate.
Homemade Corned Beef. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The enticing aroma of slow-cooked homemade corned beef fills the house with an unmatched sense of comfort. Layered with rich flavors and tender textures, it’s a recipe to cherish in festive gatherings. The dish is a testament to culinary prowess and love for hearty, homemade food. It’s a timeless tradition that transcends generations with its delectable taste.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corned Beef

Pecan Butter Balls

Three Pecan Butter Balls on a white plate with purple flower designs.
Pecan Butter Balls. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pecan butter balls are sweet delights synonymous with festive cheer. The blend of crunchy pecans and smooth buttery dough creates an irresistibly pleasant contrast. This vintage recipe brings sweet nostalgia to many a holiday gathering. Each bite is a testament to the power of simple ingredients combined with affectionate preparation.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Butter Balls

Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate

Bourbon balls with white chocolate and powdered sugar
Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Imagine Nanna sneaking a smile while savoring Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate—those little sweet bombs with a splash of nostalgia. It’s like dessert from the good ol’ days, a mix of boozy bliss and smooth white chocolate. Nanna knew her treats, and these would’ve been a hit at any family gathering. Give ’em a try, and you’ll feel like you’ve just unlocked a delicious time capsule.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate

Sausage Rolls

Sausage Rolls on a white plate.
Sausage Rolls. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ah, the heavenly scent of Sausage Rolls baking in Nanna’s kitchen—flaky pastry, seasoned sausage, and a hint of simplicity. They’re like handheld bites of comfort that Nanna would’ve served up without any fuss. Just grab one, take a trip down memory lane, and relish the flavor of old-fashioned snacking.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Rolls

Shepherd’s Pie Bites

Shepherd's Pie Bites on a black platter.
Shepherd’s Pie Bites. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Shepherd’s Pie Bites are like Nanna’s way of saying, “Here’s a little piece of comfort.” Picture seasoned meat, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes, all bundled up in a bite-sized package. It’s like the classic Shepherd’s Pie, but in a convenient pop-and-go format. Nanna would’ve appreciated the cleverness and heart in each of these little bites.
Get the Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie Bites

Cheese Toasties

Bite-sized Cheese Toasties on a black plate.
Cheese Toasties. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cheese toasties, reminiscent of carefree summers and simple suppers, might be a dish that Nanna would approve of without a doubt. Melty, comforting, and nostalgic—all wrapped up in a deliciously crisp package. Including Nanna, everyone’s got a story to share about these humble toasted sandwiches, and it’s your turn to add a chapter to your own family’s story.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Toasties

Broccoli 3-Cheese Impossible Quiche

A slice of Broccoli 3-Cheese Impossible Quiche on a plate next to a glass of orange juice.
Broccoli 3-Cheese Impossible Quiche. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The broccoli 3-cheese impossible quiche is a testament to the wonderful meals made by folks like Nanna, who understood the importance of shared, home-cooked food. Though simpler times may be behind us, the appeal of such genuinely satisfying dishes Nanna would have approved of remains. Bring a touch of that nostalgic magic to the table and keep the tradition alive.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli 3-Cheese Impossible Quiche

Potato Cheese Bread

A top-down shot of Potato Cheese Bread with a few cut slices on a black platter.
Potato Cheese Bread. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

No doubt, potato cheese bread has the power to take us back in time with just one taste, as Nanna could probably attest. It’s a classic dish that inspires fond memories, of warm kitchens like Nanna’s, and shared catch-up sessions around the kitchen table. Recipes like this remind us why these classic dishes deserve a revival.
Get the Recipe: Potato Cheese Bread

Baked Scotch Eggs

Scotch Eggs on a black plate.
Baked Scotch Eggs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Remember the satisfying combination of meat and egg that made up the classic Scotch eggs? Well, the baked version carries the Nanna-approved tradition forward—healthier, yet just as delightful. Rest assured, every bite into these baked Scotch eggs is a nod to the past, a glimpse into a time when meals were unhurried and full of hearty goodness.
Get the Recipe: Baked Scotch Eggs

Nanna’s Apple Cake

An apple cake on a white plate with cinnamon sticks.
Nanna’s Apple Cake. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The thought of an ancestral apple cake recipe warming in the oven is enough to stir emotions. Nanna’s apple cake adds another chapter to her legacy—the comforting aroma, the sweet taste, they preserve the past while creating new memories. Undoubtedly, Nanna would have been proud of how this cake brings people together.
Get the Recipe: Nanna’s Apple Cake

Pot Roast with Bacon

A plate of pot roast with bacon and mashed potatoes with gravy.
Pot Roast with Bacon. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Nanna would have undoubtedly appreciated the pot roast with bacon, a dish that continues to make our special occasions memorable and ordinary days extraordinary. All you need to do is sink your teeth into this delectable dish to experience a rush of nostalgia. It’s a throwback to times when the flavors were rich, the ingredients were simple, and the vibe was warm and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast with Bacon

Beef Stew

Beef stew in a white bowl with carrots and potatoes.
Beef Stew. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

The good old-fashioned beef stew is a staple that’s stood the test of time, something Nanna might have known all too well. This hearty dish, rich with beef and fresh veggies, draws you back to the easy days of childhood. One taste of this, and you’ll agree that it still embodies the same comfort and familial warmth it always has.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stew

Southern Green Beans

Green beans with sausage on a white plate.
Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Southern green beans are more than just a dish, they are like a time capsule carrying the essence of shared family meals from long ago, including those Nanna herself enjoyed. These beans, slowly simmered until tender, act as ambassadors from days past, showcasing the beautiful simplicity of the beloved culinary traditions we still enjoy today.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Ribs and Sauerkraut

Ribs and Sauerkraut with a fork.
Ribs and Sauerkraut. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Ribs and sauerkraut are another Nanna-approved dish that has stood proud through the annals of home-cooked family meals. The combination of juicy ribs and tangy sauerkraut never fails to bring everyone together in a way that you can imagine happened in a similar fashion generations ago. Keeping the tradition alive, this dish is an edible bond uniting generations.
Get the Recipe: Ribs and Sauerkraut

Blueberry Grunt

Blueberry Grunt on a blue plate with ice cream.
Blueberry Grunt. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Savor the traditional blueberry grunt, a scrumptious creation that takes you on a delightful journey back to long, lazy summer afternoons of yesteryears. This tribute to the past, likely approved by Nanna, is a balance of fruit and fluffiness, a heartwarming dessert that has been delivering smiles across generations. Eating it is like listening to an old folks’ taled culinary story.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Grunt

Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup

Two halves of Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Sryup on a white plate.
Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The pure simplicity and exceptional flavor of baked acorn squash with maple syrup would surely have received a nod of approval from Nanna herself. Perfect for the autumnal season, this dish is still a timeless favorite—a beautiful reminder of the pleasures of simple, home-cooked meals.
Get the Recipe: Baked Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup

Chicken & Corn Chowder

Two bowls of soup on a table.
Chicken & Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chicken and corn chowder is a cozy blast from the past that Nanna likely cherished as well, filling one up with not just delicious soup, but also lovely memories. This comforting bowl of Nanna-endorsed goodness can make anyone long for simpler times, reminding us of the warmth, flavor, and love baked into age-old family recipes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken & Corn Chowder

Ham & Cheese Impossible Quiche

Slices of Ham & Cheese Impossible Quiche next to a whole pie.
Ham & Cheese Impossible Quiche. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ham & cheese impossible quiche—just saying it puts one in mind of Nanna bustling around in her traditional kitchen where smells, tastes, and stories were shared. After all, Nanna could have easily had this very dish deftly whisked together for her loved ones, warming bellies and creating memories that linger quite like the quiche itself.
Get the Recipe: Ham & Cheese Impossible Quiche

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