Craving the dinners you grew up on? These 5 childhood comfort classics get a homemade upgrade — and taste even better than you remember. From saucy skillet staples to cozy casseroles and sweet after-dinner treats, Nicole recreates her favorite ‘80s-era meals without the boxed shortcuts, proving that nostalgic flavors can still hold up today.
This lineup is packed with throwbacks: a from-scratch Beefy Noodle “Hamburger Helper,” crispy, cheesy French Bread Pizza, her family’s beloved Mamaw’s Chicken & Rice Casserole (with a quick call to Mom for extra kitchen wisdom), sticky-sweet Monkey Bread, and a hearty Salisbury Steak that delivers serious comfort. Whether you’re cooking for your own family or just want a taste of childhood, these recipes bring the nostalgia — warm, homemade and better than ever.
Timestamps:
00:00 5 Childhood Comfort Dinners
00:12 Beefy Noodle Hamburger Helper
04:26 French Bread Pizza
08:27 Mamaw’s Chicken & Rice Casserole
11:24 Monkey Bread
14:59 Salisbury Steak
Get all of the recipes here:
https://www.allrecipes.com/childhood-favorite-recipes-11918611
Beefy Noodle Hamburger Helper: https://www.allrecipes.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe-8550449
French Bread Pizza: https://www.allrecipes.com/french-bread-pizza-recipe-7971911
Mamaw’s Chicken & Rice Casserole: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/233983/mamaws-chicken-and-rice-casserole/
Monkey Bread: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/6815/monkey-bread-i/
Salisbury Steak: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/229566/salisbury-steak-with-mushrooms/
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22 Comments
Travesty the chicken and rice casserole had no breadcrumb topping! 😢
How About Sausage Diablo it did not make it into our Family Recipe book some how!
Mom always made it with sausage and sliced up hotdogs! YUM – Please Make a Good for All Family Version! > THX
I made the other Salisbury Steak < I believe I will make this one too!
14:59 Salisbury Steak
On my birthday every year after my dad passed in 1980 my mom would make Swiss steak with round steak, home canned tomatoes, chopped onion bake in oven. Homemade mashed potatoes. We'd have a vegetable and tossed green salad. Always a two layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting made from scratch. I'm 74 I'm miss mom's cooking plain. I make now again but just not the same. Thanks for memories, so enjoy your videos
You’re always a decade behind. H H came out in “71.
The butter wrapper on the butter to prevent splatter, OH MY GOSH.
Another one of those tips you would think you would have thought of that long ago, but no, never thought of that.
Thank you for that one.
“Nicole” said in her mama’s southern accent..😂😂😂😂
I made the French bread pizza on Friday nights for my family. I would use the frozen garlic bread loaf and put it in the refrigerator before I went to work and when I got home it was thawed and I would just spread the garlic butter on both sides and continue on to make a pizza. The garlic love came in a silver foil type sleeve. Who remembers that?
Have you ever done a tour of your studio for your audience? Obviously that is not the kitchen in your home, but what's in the bigger picture?
Made the “Hamburger Helper” last night. We devoured it. Lol. Definitely brought back my childhood. Thanks, Nicole!!!
"Trust the Process"
My favorite TV dinner was chicken pot pie!
I love your 1980’s shirt and the food!
My Mom used to buy a dessert package that I loved and miss. It was a chocolate mousse and it had a hard topping that had a peanut butter flavor. Does anyone remember what this was called and how I can recreate it?
I think it was because inflation was so high. We were in a recession. It took 2 incomes. We had to fend for ourselves.
Oh my! Stouffers French bread pizzas were and still are my favorites. My best friend and I use to make those after school in the early 90s Such a treat and good memories ❤ I’ll use Publix French bread to get the perfect crunch 😊 The hamburger helper recipe definitely going to make. Loved the call to mom and the paper bag tip on monkey bread….I make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings for the fam. adding walnuts. The tv dinner trays are great ❤❤ Really really enjoyed this video only us over 45 can relate.
Hey Nicole…….how about “Poor Man’s Chop Suey”, made with hamburger? Casserole from the 70’s…delicious and easy! Makes a ton!!!
A stick of butter paula Deen ❤❤
Us grooms would be nice in that hamburger helper. 😊
Great stuff! To pretty up that rice, add yellow food color, you eat with your eyes first, makes it look good along with tasting great!
Your personality is fantastic, silly comments make it fun, such a doll.
I really enjoyed this video. I was a child of the 60's and here are a couple of my favorites. I really loved the Banquet frozen chicken pot pies and also the canned HyPower Tamales. Both were a treat for me. Keep bringing the great videos. Love them!
Thank you for the videos you make.
Meatloaf was a big one in our house, easy and cheap to make with mashed potatoes of course. We had tv dinners once in a while, never at grandmas house though, she hated them LOL.