19 Vintage Dishes That Deserve a Comeback Today

Vintage dishes don’t just bring back memories — they remind us why simple meals used to mean something. These 19 vintage dishes deserve a comeback because they still hold up in kitchens today. Whether it’s comfort, tradition, or just food that fills you up right, these recipes hit home. As you scroll, expect a few surprises that feel familiar in the best way.

Gravy being poured over sausages and mashed potatoes. — Bangers and Mash with Guinness Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky green beans are sautéed on the stovetop in about 15 minutes and topped with fried onions. They’re quick to cook and full of flavor. This version skips the creamy sauce but keeps the crispy topping people love. It’s a fast way to bring back a holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells in a cast iron skillet. — Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Stuffed shells with spinach and ricotta are baked in the oven for about 30 minutes with marinara sauce and cheese on top. The filling is mixed together in a bowl and spooned into cooked pasta shells before baking. It’s a filling, family-style meal that’s easy to prep ahead. This recipe brings back comfort food that’s easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes are boiled on the stovetop and mashed with butter and cream in about 30 minutes. They’re smooth, rich, and hold up well next to any main dish. You can make them fresh or prepare ahead and reheat. Mashed potatoes are a classic side that never stopped working.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Lamb shepherd’s pie is baked in the oven for about 30 minutes after the filling is cooked on the stovetop. It’s made with ground lamb, vegetables, and a layer of mashed potatoes on top. This is a smart way to use leftovers and feed a group without much effort. It’s still one of the best all-in-one meals out there.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Shepherd’s Pie

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots are roasted in the oven for about 25 minutes until soft and slightly caramelized. They’re tossed with honey, garlic, and butter before baking. This simple side is sweet, savory, and easy to make. It’s the kind of vegetable dish that used to show up on every table.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

A white plate with a serving of shredded meat topped with sauce and garnished with herbs, perfect for movie night snacks. A fork rests on top, and a blurred dish is in the background. — Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork shoulder with mustard BBQ sauce is slow-cooked for 6–8 hours until the meat is tender and easy to shred. The sauce is mixed with pantry staples and poured over the pork to cook. This is a simple, hands-off recipe that’s great for making ahead. It’s the kind of meal that works for family dinners or parties.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries

Pork chops with blackberry applesauce on a gray plate. — Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork chops and applesauce with blackberries are pan-seared and finished in about 25 minutes with a sweet fruit sauce. The applesauce is made on the stovetop while the pork cooks. This recipe uses simple ingredients and doesn’t take long to make. It’s a great way to bring back a dish that used to be on every dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries

Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

A chicken pot pie in a skillet, with a portion scooped out, showing chicken, peas, and sauce. A silver spoon rests inside. — Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Chicken pot pie with tarragon gravy is baked in the oven for about 45 minutes with a golden crust on top. The filling is cooked on the stovetop with chicken, veggies, and creamy gravy seasoned with tarragon. It’s a warm, comforting meal that’s easy to make with basic ingredients. This dish makes a great dinner for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

Hazelnut Crusted Turkey Breast

Sliced breaded chicken on a wooden cutting board next to a serrated knife. — Hazelnut Crusted Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Hazelnut crusted turkey breast is roasted in the oven for about 90 minutes after being coated with chopped nuts and spices. The crust gives the turkey a crispy texture and extra flavor. It’s perfect for special occasions or a change from regular roasted meat. This is a smart way to dress up turkey without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Hazelnut Crusted Turkey Breast

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Grilled pork pieces with brown gravy served on a bed of mashed potatoes, presented on a decorative plate with a colorful floral pattern. A meal even the most picky eaters will enjoy, making moms' lives easier at dinnertime. — Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlic herb pork and potatoes are roasted in one pan for about 45 minutes in the oven. Everything cooks together, making cleanup easy. The pork is seasoned with garlic and herbs, and the potatoes come out crispy and golden. It’s a full meal that doesn’t take much work.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table. — Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butternut squash soup with dumplings is cooked on the stovetop in about 1 hour. The squash is blended into a smooth soup and topped with simple flour dumplings that cook right in the pot. It’s hearty, healthy, and perfect for colder days. This recipe brings back the kind of soup people used to make from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Brioche Rolls

Brioche rolls are baked in the oven after rising for a few hours, taking about 20 minutes to cook. The dough is rich and soft thanks to eggs and butter. These rolls work well for holidays or any meal where you want something homemade. This recipe brings back the value of baking bread from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Rolls

Basic Polenta

Basic polenta is cooked on the stovetop in about 30 minutes with cornmeal, water, and a bit of butter or cheese. It’s smooth, warm, and perfect as a side dish or topped with vegetables or meat. This is a great example of a budget-friendly meal that still feels complete. Polenta is a vintage side that deserves more attention today.
Get the Recipe: Basic Polenta

Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy

A plate with sliced pork topped with creamy mushroom sauce, a fork holding a piece above, and a wine bottle in the background. — Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork chops with mustard shallot gravy are seared in a skillet and finished with a quick stovetop sauce in under 30 minutes. The mustard adds tang, while the shallots give it a nice sweetness. This is a fast dinner that tastes like something special. It’s the kind of simple dish that should never go out of style.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet potato slices are baked in the oven for 35–40 minutes with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of butter. They come out soft and slightly crisp around the edges. This is a sweet side that pairs with roasts or holiday meals. It’s a dish that’s easy to make and always gets eaten.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Buttermilk Brined Turkey

A buttermilk brined roasted surrounded by festive holiday side dishes. — Buttermilk Brined Turkey. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Buttermilk brined turkey is oven-roasted after soaking overnight in buttermilk to make it extra tender. This method takes some planning, but it helps the meat stay juicy and full of flavor. It cooks in about 2 hours and works for everyday meals or holidays. It’s a smart way to bring back a forgotten kitchen trick.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Brined Turkey

Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Two lasagna roll-ups filled with spinach and ricotta cheese, topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese, garnished with a fresh basil leaf—dishes every foodie should try before you die. — Spinach Lasagna Rolls. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Spinach lasagna rolls are baked in the oven for 30–40 minutes after being rolled with cheese and sauce. Each roll is portioned, making it easier to serve and store. The ingredients are simple, and the flavor is just like classic lasagna. This version makes an old favorite easier to handle.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven roasted root vegetables are baked for 40 minutes with olive oil, salt, and herbs. Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes all cook at the same time in one pan. The result is a colorful, healthy side dish. It’s the kind of food that was always made from what was in season.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Bangers and Mash with Guinness Gravy

Bangers and mash with Guinness gravy are pan-fried sausages served with mashed potatoes and a quick stovetop gravy made in 20 minutes. This dish brings back a classic, no-fuss dinner that used to be a staple in many homes. The Guinness gravy adds deep flavor without much work. It’s simple, filling, and perfect for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Bangers and Mash with Guinness Gravy