Many classic, old-fashioned dishes that were once beloved staples of family dinners and special occasions have disappeared over time. These dishes, rich in both history and flavor, remind us of a time when people thoroughly enjoyed cooking and meals were appreciated and savored. Wholesome dinners like meatloaf and chicken pot pie offer a nostalgic glimpse into the past. Here are 18 traditional meals that people rarely eat today, but are worth remembering.
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is a succulent filet of beef, often tenderloin, wrapped in a puff pastry, with a savory mushroom and shallot mixture spread over the beef. This dish took great care and attention to make and really highlights how peoples’ perspectives on cooking have changed over time. According to USA Today, “only 10% of consumers professed a love of cooking, while 45% said they outright hated it and 45% were on the fence.”
Spam and Eggs
Spam and eggs were a popular quick and easy meal back in the day, but Spam is mostly just seen as a symbol of the past nowadays. Spam and eggs were once a versatile dish, often served with toast for a hearty breakfast or eaten with some rice for a simple dinner. The eggs would be fried, scrambled, or made into an omelet depending on the person’s individual preferences.
Swedish Meatballs
As the name suggests, this dish originated from Sweden but was adopted by Americans as a tasty comfort food. This traditional Scandinavian meal of meatballs served in a rich, creamy gravy became a widely popular American dinner. It grew even more popular as it became synonymous with the furniture store IKEA and a best-seller at their food court; however, people rarely eat this dish outside of IKEA anymore.
Tomato Aspic
A weird and wonderful dish that only lingers as a faint memory in the back of our heads these days is tomato aspic. It was a cold jelly-like dish made with tomato juice and gelatin, and it was often molded into decorative shapes. At its prime, this gelatinous food was the centerpiece of many dinners and buffets, but now it’s just a fond, nostalgic memory that’s often joked about.
Meatloaf
The pinnacle of comfort food for the whole family, meatloaf was a dish made from ground meat mixed with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings. This loaf of meat was commonly topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup-based sauce for extra flavor. It was a favorite for all ages, pleasing both children and grandparents alike, which is why it was such a staple at many American dinner tables. Maybe we should bring this classic back!
Cheese Fondue
Cheese fondue was the perfect delicious treat for all of your loved ones to gather around and enjoy! Cheese fondue is a communal pot of melted cheese, wine, and seasonings that is usually served with bread cubes, vegetables, and fruit for dipping. It’s just as delicious as it sounds, and this dish was once seen as the ideal food for gatherings and parties; however, it’s rarely included in these types of festivities today.
Chicken Pot Pie
The BBC reports that “a 2004 US study found important nutrients in some garden crops are up to 38% lower than they were at the middle of the 20th Century.” Old-fashioned dishes like chicken pot pie had a good balance of healthy ingredients, nutrients, and tasty additions. Chicken pot pie is a savory mixture of chicken, vegetables, and creamy gravy encased in a flaky pie crust, and it used to be a much-loved dish for family dinners in the colder months.
Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Puff Pastries
Tuna Noodle Casserole
The older generations knew what they were doing when it came to budget-friendly, easy-to-make dinners! Tuna noodle casserole is one example of these home-cooked cheap and convenient meals. It was a hearty casserole made from canned tuna, egg noodles, and a creamy sauce, often finished with a crispy breadcrumb or potato chip topping. These days, people tend to rely on ready meals for convenience instead of throwing together something more satisfying.
Welsh Rarebit
Don’t fear! No floppy-eared bunnies are used in this traditional dish! Welsh rarebit is a dish made with rich cheese sauce flavored with mustard and beer poured over toasted bread or English muffins. It was a popular classic in British pubs and kitchens alike, which then made its way over to America. Most people don’t eat this substantial snack anymore and tend to opt for small dishes that are simpler to put together.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage consists of a salt-cured beef brisket cooked with cabbage and other vegetables. This comforting dish was commonly enjoyed during Irish-American St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in years gone by. Making corned beef and cabbage requires a great amount of time and effort, which people aren’t willing to spend on cooking today, as the beef is typically simmered slowly for a tender texture and greater flavor.
Steak Diane
Another traditional meal that people rarely eat anymore is steak Diane. If you haven’t heard of this dish, steak Diane is a tender steak cooked in a rich, cognac-flavored sauce (yum!). It was a luxurious dinner that was typically reserved for celebrations and special occasions. In fine dining restaurants, steak Diane was traditionally prepared and flambéed tableside! Unfortunately, people don’t usually turn dinners into such exciting experiences these days.
Oyster Stew
A delightful seafood dish, oyster stew is a creamy stew made with fresh oysters and milk or cream. This meal was traditionally seasoned with butter, salt, pepper, and something celery for added flavor. It used to be very popular in coastal areas, particularly during winter. However, fresh ingredients, especially seafood, have become much less common and popular in recent years, with people preferring to use frozen seafood for convenience and to save money.
Chicken Fried Steak
CNN says that “on any given day in the United States, an estimated 36.6% or approximately 84.8 million adults consume fast food.” While we frequently opt for convenient but unhealthy fast food, our parents and grandparents would’ve chosen more substantial and healthy options like chicken fried steak. This dish is made with a tenderized beef steak that’s breaded and fried until it’s golden brown. It was an especially beloved dish in Southern U.S. cuisine.
Egg Foo Young
Egg Foo Young is a classic Chinese-American dinner that used to be a favorite for many people across the country. It’s an omelet-like dish made with vegetables, meat, and bean sprouts. This pretty healthy dish was typically served with a rich brown gravy to give it added flavor. Back in the day, Egg Foo Young was also commonly found in Chinese-American restaurants, and it used to be a popular choice for takeout. Would you pick this complex, flavorful meal over today’s fast food takeout?
Liver and Onions
One dish that most people would likely not even consider eating these days simply because of its unappealing name is liver and onions. Many people may not have even heard of eating liver before! Consisting of sliced liver cooked with caramelized onions, this meal of liver and onions is packed full of nutrients that do wonders for your body. As strange as it may sound to people now, this was once a common meal in many households.
Steak and Kidney Pudding
Steak and kidney pudding is bursting with flavor and was originally a staple of British cuisine, especially in the winter months, that was adopted into American culture. This hearty meal is made with a suet pastry filled with steak and kidney in a rich gravy. It was traditionally steamed for several hours until it was tender! Sadly, people often don’t have enough time to cook dishes like this anymore.
Chicken à la King
Chicken à la King is a deliciously creamy dinner that was extremely popular in mid-20th century American cuisine. It was a comfort food favorite for many people and consisted of chicken pieces in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and bell peppers. It was a versatile dish that was commonly served over rice, pasta, or toast. Despite being so popular in its day, this dish is long-forgotten now in most households.
Beef Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff is a tasty dish which is made with sauteed beef strips in sour cream and mushroom sauce. Often served over egg noodles or rice, this meal is bursting with flavor. As the name might suggest, this dish originally had Russian roots, and over time, it was adapted to various cuisines around the world, including America, and became a global favorite. However, its popularity has faded since then, and it’s now just a fond memory for many Americans.
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