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24 nostalgic recipes that will make you feel like a kid again

From Mum's favourite stroganoff to Dad's spag bol.
plate of corned beef with carrots and potatoes

Do you ever think back to your childhood and reminisce about the dinners your Mum used to make you? Reminisce no longer, and make them for your own kids instead!

From stroganoff to stew and every Aussie classic in between, we’ve got a recipe that will tickle your fancy, no matter what you grew up eating. We’ve got comfort foods for you like mac and cheese, and a delicious twist on the often dreaded apricot chicken dish.

Take a look, and get started on your retro recipe night now!

The best beef stew recipe

01

Easy beef stew

Everything but the kitchen sink.

Throw in your gravy beef and any vegies you’ve got leftover in the fridge to make a hearty stew. With a hint of chili, you’ll be toasty in no time.

tuna mornay quick pasta recipe

02

Tuna and veg pasta mornay

An old-fashioned favourite.

Nothing says nostalgic quite like a tuna pasta mornay. With heaps of hidden veg and a cheesy top, your kids will love this one as much as you do.

03

Corned beef

This recipe stands the test of time.

It’s one of the most foolproof ways to cook beef, and it’s extremely budget-friendly! Fancy it up with eschalots and Dutch carrots for a homey yet elegant dinner.

Steak Diane recipe with vegs and chips

04

Steak Diane

A pub meal made at home.

Elevate your simple steak Diane with sweet potato chips and beautiful florets of broccoli. Meat and two veg has never looked so good!

Chicken curry

05

Chicken curry with beans and cashews

For when you’re in a hurry!

A non-descript chicken curry may be exactly what you need for a warming, fulfilling dinner tonight. The best part is, it only takes 20 minutes to make!

06

Curried sausages

An Aussie classic.

Perfect for a mid-week meal, curried sausages was always the go-to when you need a pick-me-up. Defrost those sausages and bring out the Keens curry powder!

Herb fish cakes with avocado salsa

07

Herby fish cakes

The homemade version of fish and chips.

Avoid the cost of a takeaway and make these delightful fish cakes for dinner. Go gourmet and add some avocado salsa on top.

Beef stir fry

08

Beef stir fry

Make the whole house smell delicious!

One of the easiest family dinners involves a wok and a batch of fresh steamed rice. This beef stir-fry is classic, and oh-so-good!

Vertical potato bake

09

Cheesy potato bake

The perfect side dish.

It’s easy to see why this recipe is one of our most popular, it’s got two of the most loved ingredients – potato and cheese. Serve up with a roast for a classic Sunday night dinner.

10

Beef stroganoff

Served with a healthy dose of Branston pickle.

Mum’s all-time favourite is of course an easy beef stroganoff. Nothing could be easier than this recipe, it only takes 15 minutes!

karen martinis classic mac and cheese recipe
(Credit: Con Poulos)

11

Mac and cheese

The ultimate comfort food.

For cold, blustery nights, mac and cheese is always the go-to. Add in a bit of mustard and grana padano for a dish that makes the whole house smell heavenly.

12

Zucchini slice

For when you want something light and tasty.

Zucchini slice is considered the quintessential Aussie dish. Perfect for spring-time supper or a light early bird dinner.

chilli con carbe

13

Chilli con carne

Become inventive with your mincemeat.

Chilli con carne is reminiscent of a childhood cold winter’s day. Give this retro recipe a kickstart with a dash of spice.

best mince recipes
(Credit: Con Poulos photography)

14

Apricot chicken rissole bake

A tray-bake revamp.

Apricot chicken – you either love it, or hate it. We guarantee you’ll love this revamped tray-bake version, with zucchini and broccolini.

15

Spaghetti Bolognese

Keep the whole family fed and happy.

This was always Dad’s favourite recipe of choice. Colin’s version is more traditional, with a secret ingredient thrown in there too!

beef taco recipe

16

Easy beef tacos

Serve up a flavour fiesta!

Tacos can be done with those supermarket ready-made kits, but making everything yourself it that much more satisfying. You’ll definitely want to add this to your weekly rotation.

chicken schnitzel

17

Chicken schnitzel

Mix it up with a seedy crunch.

A good schnitty can be hard to come by, which is why mastering it at home is essential. This recipe heroes the crunchy crumb, with poppy seeds and quinoa mixed in.

18

Classic lasagne recipe

Definitely worth the wait.

The perfect winter warmer, lasagne is a dish that will fill you up, stomach and soul!

Gluten free chicken Kiev

19

Chicken Kiev

For all the GF foodies out there.

Nostalgia will hit you big time with this chicken Kiev recipe. The best part is, your gluten-free friends can enjoy it too!

colins shepherds pie with mashed potato

20

Mashed potato and shepherd’s pie

A firm winter favourite.

You can’t go wrong with a fluffy and crispy mash with hearty gravied pie filling underneath. Serve up steaming hot and you’ll become the family favourite.

carbonara easy dinner idea

21

Spaghetti carbonara

A guaranteed home run.

If it’s only 20 minutes til dinnertime, then this is the ideal classic recipe for you. With bacon, eggs and cheese as the main ingredients, carbonara will be a winner on even the fussiest eater’s dinner plate.

cheer-up-chicken-soup

22

Chicken and vegetable soup

Soul-healing.

This is Mum’s favourite way to fight the sniffles, and it works every time! Soothe your sore throat with a bowl of this comforting chicken soup.

(Credit: Andre Martin)

23

Egg and bacon fried rice

The easiest dinner possible.

This fried rice recipe is all you need to get picky eaters savouring their meal. Get out your wok and start frying!

rissoles-with-sweet-potato-mash

24

Rissoles with tomato sauce and mash potato

A week-night staple.

Finally, a nostalgic recipe round-up wouldn’t be complete without the ultimate nostalgic dish; rissoles. It may be an oldie, but it’s definitely a goodie.

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