There’s something magical about grandma’s kitchen. The way the house smelled when scalloped potatoes bubbled in the oven or the sight of a colorful relish tray set out before Sunday dinner still sticks with me today.
We're sharing 25 easy side dish recipes from grandma's table that are classic simple recipes people go to time and time again!
From creamy casseroles to tangy salads and thrifty vegetable dishes, these old fashioned recipes are perfect for bringing a taste of comfort and tradition back into your kitchen.
You'll love these easy side dish recipes for dinner!
1
Grandmas Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe (Oven Baked)
Elbow macaroni baked in a rich cheese sauce, topped with breadcrumbs. By the 1950s–70s, this classic had become one of the most loved comfort foods in grandma’s kitchen.
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2
Old Fashioned Pea Salad with Bacon
This old fashioned pea salad with bacon is a creamy, classic side dish made with frozen peas, cheddar cheese, and a simple homemade dressing. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, and easy family dinners.
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3
Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes
These creamy scalloped potatoes are a classic old fashioned side dish made with thinly sliced potatoes and a smooth homemade cream sauce. Perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, and comfort food meals.
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4
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
This old fashioned slow cooker creamed corn is rich, creamy, and full of comforting flavor. A classic side dish made easy with simple ingredients and slow cooker convenience.
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5
Old Fashioned Green Beans
These old fashioned green beans are quick, buttery, and full of classic flavor. Fresh green beans are blanched until just tender, then tossed in melted butter and garlic for a simple side dish that’s perfect for Sunday dinners, holiday meals, and easy weeknight cooking.
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6
Grandma's Easy Potato Salad Recipe
This traditional potato salad is creamy, classic, and full of old fashioned flavor. An easy homemade side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and family dinners.
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7
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
This easy broccoli salad recipe is a vintage favorite from the 1970s, made with fresh chopped broccoli, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or holidays, this crunchy salad comes together in minutes and gets better as it chills. Just like Grandma used to make!
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8
Grandma's Southern Baked Beans Recipe
These old fashioned southern baked beans are rich, sweet, and smoky with bacon. A classic homemade comfort food side dish that’s easy to make and perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and Sunday dinners.
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9
Grandma's Easy Waldorf Salad
This original Waldorf salad is a creamy, old fashioned classic made with apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts. An easy and refreshing traditional salad perfect for holidays and gatherings.
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10
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
This old fashioned crockpot mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and full of classic comfort food flavor. An easy slow cooker recipe made with simple ingredients.
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11
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These brown sugar glazed carrots are tender, buttery, and coated in a sweet glaze. An easy stovetop side dish with old fashioned flavor that’s perfect for holidays or everyday meals.
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12
Traditional Turkey Stuffing (Homemade Old Fashioned Recipe)
A classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe made from scratch with bakery bread, sweet onions, celery, and fresh herbs. Simple, easy, and full of flavor, this tastes just like Grandma’s holiday table. Serve it as a vegetarian stuffing or add sausage for extra richness.
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13
Easy Canned Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows Casserole
Whip up this easy sweet potato casserole with canned sweet potatoes and marshmallows. A quick, no-nut holiday side dish everyone will love.
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14
Grandmas Funeral Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
These old fashioned funeral potatoes are rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy goodness, then topped with a buttery cornflake crust. This easy, comforting casserole is a classic side dish for holidays, potlucks, and family dinners.
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15
Grandma’s Easy Macaroni Salad
This traditional macaroni salad is creamy, classic, and easy to make with simple ingredients. A perfect cold side dish for potlucks, BBQs, and family gatherings.
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16
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad
This easy broccoli cheddar pasta salad is creamy, simple, and full of classic flavor. Made with bacon, cheddar, and fresh broccoli, it’s the perfect side dish for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.
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17
Easy Corn Casserole Recipe (with Jiffy)
This easy corn casserole with Jiffy mix is a classic old fashioned side dish that’s creamy, soft, and slightly sweet. Made with simple ingredients, it’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or an easy family dinner.
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18
Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes
Yams baked with butter, sugar, and cinnamon until caramelized. With roots in African-American cooking, this side became a staple at holiday meals across the country.
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19
Grandmas Coleslaw
Crisp cabbage tossed with creamy or vinegar dressing. A thrifty Depression-era side that stayed popular through the 1970s.
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20
Old Fashioned Three Bean Salad
A tangy mix of green beans, kidney beans, and wax beans in vinegar dressing. This 1960s–70s potluck dish was always better the second day.
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21
Cottage Cheese Salad
Cottage cheese paired with pineapple or peaches on lettuce. A thrifty “salad” that made countless appearances in mid-century kitchens.
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22
Ultimate Green Bean Casserole
Green beans baked in cream of mushroom soup, topped with fried onions. Created by Campbell’s in 1955, it became a Thanksgiving essential.
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23
Succotash
Corn and lima beans sautéed with butter or cream. A colonial recipe that stuck around in Southern and Midwestern kitchens.
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24
Classic Creamed Spinach
Spinach cooked with cream and nutmeg. A popular mid-century steakhouse dish that grandma often made at home.
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25
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon Recipe
Cabbage cooked in bacon drippings with onions. This frugal yet flavorful dish was common in 1930s–50s kitchens.
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26
Old Fashioned Vinegar Slaw without Mayo
Shredded cabbage tossed in vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. A thrifty side that lasted well on the table during warm gatherings.
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27
Harvard Beets
Beets simmered in a sweet-and-sour glaze of vinegar, sugar, and butter. A New England favorite that became common on grandma’s holiday spreads.
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28
Corn Pudding Casserole
A creamy baked custard made from corn, milk, and eggs. This colonial dish stayed popular for Thanksgiving and Christmas in mid-century homes.
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29
Relish Tray
A platter of pickles, olives, and celery. From the 1950s–70s, no holiday or Sunday dinner table was complete without one.
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30
Congealed Salad
Vibrant gelatin molded with fruit, nuts, or vegetables. A quirky 1950s–70s classic that often doubled as both salad and dessert.
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31
Baked Acorn Squash
Halved acorn squash roasted with butter, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This cozy fall side was especially common in 1950s–70s kitchens when seasonal produce was celebrated and simple, hearty flavors were prized.
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32
Easy Homemade Stewed Tomatoes
Fresh or canned tomatoes simmered with butter, sugar, and breadcrumbs until thick and flavorful. This side dish was a 1940s–60s staple in grandma’s kitchen, often served alongside meatloaf or fried chicken for a touch of sweetness.
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FAQs about Old Fashioned Side Dish Recipes
What is the most popular old fashioned side dish?
Green bean casserole and scalloped potatoes were two of the most iconic mid-century side dishes, often seen at holidays and Sunday dinners.
Why were casseroles so common in the 1950s-70s?
Casseroles stretched affordable ingredients, made use of canned goods, and were easy to serve at family and church gatherings.
What made these dishes so memorable?
They combined comfort, thriftiness, and tradition - many of the recipes used inexpensive pantry staples but felt special when shared with family.
Are these recipes still popular today?
Yes! Many, like deviled eggs, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese, remain staples at holidays, potlucks, and family dinners.
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