Looking for a way to spice up your dinner routine? Why not add a splash of nostalgia to your meals with recipes that remind you of your childhood? These nine bakes are easy to whip up and are perfect for bringing back those carefree, tasty memories from your youth. They’re guaranteed to comfort you on a busy weeknight and delight the entire family.

Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
This casserole combines eggs, sausage, apples, and cheese for a hearty and familiar breakfast experience, reminiscent of childhood mornings.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Bomb Meatloaf
This meatloaf recipe might just take you back to your childhood dinners. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly moist, and each slice is topped with a sweet and tangy glaze that really makes the dish shine. This nostalgic bake offers the perfect blend of comfort and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf
Cheddar Chicken Bake
This healthy and easy chicken and quinoa bake is perfect for busy weeknights, and the cheesy flavor might just remind you of potlucks and shared meals from your younger years.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
Salsa Chicken Casserole
Tender chicken baked in a flavorful salsa mixture with corn and cheese is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal that sparks memories of family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken Casserole
Chicken Sorrentino Bake
This classic Italian dish features breaded chicken, prosciutto, eggplant, and cheese baked in a rich tomato sauce. A comforting and familiar recipe that evokes special occasions from your childhood.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino Bake
Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This cheesy and flavorful casserole takes broccoli and cauliflower to a whole new level, offering a comforting twist on a familiar vegetable side dish you might remember from childhood meals.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops
These pretzel-crusted pork chops could remind you of simpler times with their homey, crunchy coating and sweet maple Dijon sauce. Easy to prepare and packed with lean protein, they’re a wholesome and satisfying addition to your nostalgic baking lineup. Perfect for a comforting meal that brings back childhood flavors with a twist.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops
Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole
This creamy casserole features pumpkin, spices, and cheese, offering a warm and comforting taste that brings back childhood memories.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole
Cauliflower Bacon Casserole
This creamy and indulgent casserole features tender cauliflower and crispy bacon, offering a comforting and nostalgic twist on classic potato gratin you might have enjoyed as a child.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Bacon Casserole
Parmesan Tomato Gratin
This simple and comforting dish features fresh tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and rosemary, offering a familiar and satisfying taste.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Tomato Gratin
Zucchini Ricotta Bake
This easy and flavorful bake combines zucchini, ricotta cheese, and spices, offering a comforting twist on lasagna without the hassle of noodles, bringing back memories of family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Ricotta Bake
Pecan Crusted Chicken

This pecan-crusted chicken, complete with a unique honey Dijon yogurt sauce, brings a comforting crunch that echoes childhood favorites. It’s an easy dish to pull together for a weeknight, but the flavors are so memorable, it’s bound to become a new family request.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.