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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Hearty Dinners Grandma Would Be Proud Of

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 16, 2025, updated March 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Hearty dinners have a special way of bringing comfort and warmth to the table, often reminding us of the meals our grandmothers used to make. These dishes are filled with rich flavors and wholesome ingredients, perfect for gathering family and friends. From classic casseroles to savory stews, these recipes are sure to fill bellies and create lasting memories.

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This simple crock pot lasagna is a great meal you can prepare ahead of time. With just a few easy ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles, you can let the crock pot handle the cooking.

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    Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce and Brown Sugar

    Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce and Brown Sugar.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This easy meatloaf with BBQ sauce and brown sugar is a delicious meal that the whole family will love. It’s full of flavor and can be ready in just 10 minutes.

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    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    This chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is super easy to prepare and everything cooks together in one dish. It's a great option for busy days when you want a simple meal.

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    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe is a simple, one-pan dish that combines canned soups and ready-made rice mixes. It's a great option for busy weeknights or when you want some comforting food without much effort.

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    Meaty Cabbage Soup

    Meaty Cabbage Soup.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is perfect when you want something warm and comforting. It uses just a few simple ingredients, mainly meat and cabbage.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick to prepare and full of flavor, perfect for a satisfying dinner. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine, resulting in incredibly juicy chops.

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    Turkey Tetrazzini

    A serving of Turkey Tetrazzini.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Turkey tetrazzini is packed with flavor and is a fantastic way to use up leftover turkey. You can also use chicken if you prefer.

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    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Chicken pot pie casserole is a cozy dish filled with chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, all covered with a fluffy biscuit topping. It's a great choice for a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Loaded Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Loaded chicken potato casserole.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This dish features tender chicken alongside golden potato cubes, all topped with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a dash of green onion. It's a comforting meal that's sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are easy to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy meal that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Easy Shepherd’s Pie

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Shepherd's Pie is a cozy dish that warms you up on a cold day. It's simple to prepare with just a few ingredients, and you can use ground beef or lamb, making it a great option to prepare in advance and freeze for busy days.

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    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken pot pie casserole is packed with all the comforting flavors you love and can be ready in under an hour. Plus, it’s all made in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup is quick to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it simmer, then enjoy it with your favorite taco toppings like cheese and sour cream.

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    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a flavorful meal that you can whip up in under 45 minutes. With a tasty tomato sauce made from fresh ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy nights.

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    Italian Meatloaf

    Italian Meatloaf over spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Italian meatloaf is simple to prepare—just combine the ingredients and bake it. It turns out juicy and tasty, making it a great choice for a family dinner.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is an easy way to enjoy lamb - without worrying about it overcooking! These lamb chops bake in the juices from the veggies for super tender lamb that tastes amazing.

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    Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce is a fantastic dish that combines the rich flavor of duck with a sweet and tangy orange sauce. This is a great dinner option that’s simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

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    Baked Meatballs

    Baked Meatballs.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Baked Meatballs are simple to prepare and made with just beef and a few common ingredients. They’re perfect with spaghetti and red sauce or in Italian meatball subs.

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    Hamburger and Potato Casserole

    Hamburger and Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bitz & Giggles.

    This is a comforting Midwestern casserole with ground beef and green beans, all topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and crispy French fried onions. It's a satisfying meal that brings back fond memories.

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    Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs in Tangy Sauce

    Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs in Tangy Sauce.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    These meatballs with rice are simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce that brings back fond memories. This is a comforting dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This dish features tender beef and hearty root vegetables. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a comforting meal.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

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    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These meatballs are simple to prepare and can be ready in under an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, resulting in juicy and flavorful meatballs.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
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      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play
    • Dipping chicken in ketchup.
      22 Stress-Free Chicken Recipes for the Exhausted Cook
    • Cauliflower potato bake,
      26 Vegetable Loaded Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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