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I'm Taking Notes From Grandpa & Eating What I Want, When I Want

Dinner at 4pm FTW.

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bisquick peach cobbler in baking dish with ice cream
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Last year’s “eclectic grandpa” trend is here to stay…and we’re not just talking about dressing in sweater vests and loafers! No, instead we’re talking about celebrating gramps the best way we know how—by making the mishmash of disjointed foods he loves. It’s about eating for comfort, while simultaneously throwing all conventional food rules out the window—think vanilla ice cream, anytime of day, and dinner is at 4pm sharp. It’s grandma’s pot roast followed by powdered Donettes (we’ve got a homemade version here he’ll flip for) for dessert; mashed potatoes and rice pudding (yknow, for those grandpas without teeth); chicken & dumplings and chocolate pie…the name of the game is individuality with a twist of nostalgia, so get inspired by these recipes, then make whatever reminds you of your grandpa (baseball hat and patterned sweater not required).

1

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

mashed potatoes in a bowl topped with a pat of butter and chopped parsley
PARKER FEIERBACH

Quick: Name one thing better than creamy, buttery, steamy, perfect mashed potatoes! See? You can't! So, don't let your granpa suffer through the instant kind. Grab your favorite spuds, a large pot, a masher, and tell him to get ready for comfort in a bowl.

Get the Perfect Mashed Potatoes recipe.

2

Perfect Pot Roast

pot roast
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

When it comes to stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, it’s difficult to beat tender, flavorful pot roast. The shredded beef meal comes complete with tender potatoes and carrots and a sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything.

Get the Perfect Pot Roast recipe.

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3

Hostess Sheet Cake

chocolate sheet cake with white piped icing
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If your grandpa can't get enough of the fudgy, cream-filled cupcakes, then this sheet cake will be his new favorite dessert. Taking inspiration from the classic Hostess dessert, this sheet cake delivers on all the same flavors in an easy, shareable form.

Get the Hostess Sheet Cake recipe.

4

Chicken & Dumplings

shredded chicken and dumplings in a creamy broth, topped with chopped parsley

For tips on perfecting classic chicken and dumplings, the recipe developer called her mom, who ended up handing over her grandma's recipe. This comfort food is as hand-me-down as it comes, and we're sure one spoonful will instantly make you (and maybe your grandpa too!) think of your childhood.

Get the Chicken & Dumplings recipe.

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5

Jell-O Cake

jello cake topped with frosting and strawberry slices
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This Jell-O cake a delicious and easy dessert that was all the rage at potlucks and parties in the '70s and '80s, and we're bringing it back. It doesn’t take much to make, either—just a boxed cake mix, strawberry-flavored gelatin, and a whipped cream topping—so even old folks can whip it up.

Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.

6

Bisquick Peach Cobbler

bisquick peach cobbler in baking pan with ice cream
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Craving some summer sweetness? Whip up a Bisquick peach cobbler. Made with just six simple pantry staples and a single mixing bowl, this light summery dessert is as easy to make as it is delicious to eat.

Get the Bisquick Peach Cobbler recipe.

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7

Meatloaf

meatloaf sliced and topped with rosemary
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The epitome of a classic, reliable dinner, meatloaf can be many things to different people. For some, it's a dependable weeknight dinner; for others, a nostalgic comfort food. Whatever it is for you, one thing is for sure: Your go-to recipe should be simple and dependable but also packed with flavor. This is that recipe.

Get the Meatloaf recipe.

8

Texas Sheet Cake

chocolate texas sheet cake with pecans
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This chocolate cake is rich, extra-fudgy, and topped with plenty of toasty pecans. It's a classic dessert for very good reason: it was made for chocolate lovers, and ready in under an hour.

Get the Texas Sheet Cake recipe.

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9

Pierogi Casserole

casserole dish filled with pierogis and cheese
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Looking for a comforting yet innovative dish to impress your grandparents and family, without too much work on your part? This easy-to-make casserole takes frozen potato pierogi to the next level with layers of spinach, sausage, and cheese that will leave everyone craving more.

Get the Pierogi Casserole recipe.

10

Rice Pudding

rice pudding dusted with cinnamon
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We love fried rice, but a delicious rice pudding may be a great new contender for best use of leftover rice. It’s warming, stick-to-your-ribs comfort that isn't easily replicated in the dessert world. This recipe is pretty classic, with a one ingredient upgrade that'll delight your sweets-loving grandpa (hint: it's ice cream!).

Get the Rice Pudding recipe.

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11

Homemade Lasagna

classic lasagna in a white pan topped with fresh herbs
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Based on the traditional lasagna alla Bolognese from the Emilia-Romagna province in Italy, we grabbed what we loved most about the timeless, classic recipe and simplified it to make it grandparent-friendly. This lasagna can be eaten for any occasion—family Sunday dinner, lunch with friends, or cold straight from the fridge after a night out (it makes great leftovers).

Get the Homemade Lasagna recipe.

12

Nutter Butter Cookie Bars

nutter butter cookie bars topped with nutter butters and peanut butter chips
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

In this Oreo-obsessed world, Nutter Butters are often overlooked, but now these cookie bars are bringing them front and center. Loaded with chunky peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and crushed Nutter Butter cookies, this simple dessert will bring out the child in all of us.

Get the Nutter Butter Cookie Bars recipe.

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13

Cornflake Cookies

cornflake cookies
Lucy Schaeffer

No-bake recipes are a grandparent's dream, and while our no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies are incredible, there's something about the butterscotch-cornflake combo here that really reminds us of our grandpa in particular.

Get the Cornflake Cookies recipe.

14

Vanilla Ice Cream

vanilla ice cream
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Making ice cream at home takes a bit of effort, but the payoff is TOTALLY worth it. With only 6 (staple) ingredients and a bit of patience, you’ll have homemade vanilla ice cream ready for all of your (and your grandpa's) favorite toppings.

Get the Vanilla Ice Cream recipe.

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15

Quiche

ham and cheese quiche topped with chives
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A Delish favorite in the canon of classic recipes, quiche is the versatile dish we turn to again and again for occasions big and small. Our tried-and-tested version perfects every piece of the pie: a soft, creamy filling studded with ham, chives, and Gruyère all inside a crunchy, buttery pie crust.

Get the Quiche recipe.

16

Bacon Fried Cabbage

bacon fried cabbage
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you want to venture into the world of cabbage that goes beyond corned beef or coleslaw, try this fried cabbage on for size. Hearty and flavorful, it only requires 5 ingredients (if you don't count the salt and pepper). Plus, one of those ingredients is bacon!

Get the Bacon Fried Cabbage recipe.

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17

Classic Italian Meatballs

italian meatballs with herbs, parmesan, and red pepper flakes
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

The perfect meatball is a work of art. It must be tender, packed with flavor, nicely round, and hold together while cooking. Lucky for you, our classic Italian meatball recipe passes all of these tests with flying colors.

Get the Classic Italian Meatballs recipe.

18

Powdered Donuts

powdered donuts
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

It’s time for homemade powdered donuts! The combination of fried dough and powdered sugar works for funnel cake, zeppole, beignets, fry bread, and of course…powdered donuts. To create this sweet treat, we decided to keep it classic with a twist, adding yeast to a cake donut to give these fluffy rings the best of both worlds.

Get the Powdered Donuts recipe.

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19

Biscuits & Gravy

biscuits gravy
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

In many a grandpa's book, an ideal Saturday morning starts with biscuits and gravy. Homemade, buttery biscuits pooling with peppery sausage gravy is hard to beat, and honestly, we're not interested in trying. Topped with thick sausage gravy, our biscuits are wonderfully crispy on the outside, making each bite truly perfect.

Get the Biscuits & Gravy recipe.

20

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

pineapple upside down cake topped with pineapple circles and cherries
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

It may be retro, but this classic cake is a staple summer dessert for a reason. A sweet pineapple and cherry topping is paired with a light and airy cake for the perfect balanced bite. If you're looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, you can't go wrong with this pineapple upside-down cake—it never goes out of style (just like your grandpa!).

Get the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe.

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