25 Childhood Dinners You Forgot Existed

No meal says “childhood” quite like frozen fish sticks (or fish fingers, for some). Straight from the freezer, it takes just a quick shake of the box onto a baking sheet, and minutes later dinner is served. Recreate this favorite meal by making fish sticks from scratch, and update the normal jarred tartar sauce with a slightly more sophisticated lemon mayo.

For the Homemade Fish Fingers With Lemon Mayo recipe, click here.

Some of us loved it, some of us hated it — whichever side you fall on, Hamburger Helper was likely a dish from childhood you just can’t forget (as much as some would like). If you’re one of those to whom it brings back fond memories, try making this healthier, not-from-the-box version.

For the Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe, click here.

This is one of those meals that can be prepped and frozen ahead of time, then pulled out of the freezer on busy school nights. No one will argue when a cheesy pasta dish hits the dinner table.

For the Stuffed Shells recipe, click here.

What kid doesn’t want to eat a cupcake for dinner? Mom and Dad, you were so sneaky with your dinnertime tactics. Here’s a (slightly) more grown-up version.

For the Cheesy Lasagna Cupcakes With Shrimp recipe, click here.

Back in the day, the ultimate after-school snack was a toasted English muffin topped with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings, and baked until golden and bubbly. Toaster ovens were practically invented for English muffin pizzas. For a slightly more grown-up version that’s perfect for a quick dinner, bake all the delicious flavor of a pizza into a muffin (and we promise not to tell if you still eat them “after school”).

For the Hawaiian Pizza Muffins recipe, click here.

Again with the sneaky dessert tactics! But honestly, there probably aren’t too many kids who dislike noodles and red sauce — and when they’re baked together into a “pie” and a fun-shaped slice of dinner ends up on your plate, it’s an easy win.

For the Baked Spaghetti Pie recipe, click here.

This dish seemed to be on every potluck table growing up. It’s so easy to pull together, and if you’re really in a time crunch you can always use frozen broccoli.

For the Chicken Divan recipe, click here.

Ah, the simple charm of a fried bologna sandwich. Topped with mustard, it tastes just like a hot dog!

For the Fried Bologna Sandwich recipe, click here.

This Midwestern classic is the definition of comfort food. It’s also called a hotdish (another name for a casserole typically containing a meat, a vegetable, a starch and a can of condensed soup). Whatever you call it, it’s delicious.

For the Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole recipe, click here.

Another divisive dish, this one may either conjure up comforting childhood memories or strike fear the moment you get a whiff of canned tuna cooking in the oven. Either way, this casserole was a dinner table staple for many kids while growing up. If you’re eager to relive those days, try this easy version.

For the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe, click here.

Also known as “taco-on-a-plate,” this one is hit because A) tacos in any form are amazing and B) it’s essentially the “Choose Your Own Adventure” of dinners. If you want to make a grown-up (aka healthy) version, try substituting ground turkey for ground beef, and get creative with the toppings.

For the Turkey Taco Salad recipe, click here.

Pizza is a universal childhood favorite, and is made even more fun when it comes in a unique shape. This recipe is like a homemade version of those frozen-food-aisle pizza rolls you remember eating as a kid.

For the Easy Cheesy Pizza Roll-Ups recipe, click here.

One-pan meals are popular with parents for good reason — minimal dishes and thrifty ingredients save the day when time and budgets are tight. Try making this throwback favorite in your Instant Pot.

For the Instant Pot Beef Enchilada Casserole recipe, click here.

If you grew up in the South, you’ll definitely remember this delicious dish of layered corn chips, chili and cheese. It can be made in a casserole dish or served single-serving style by layering the ingredients in a bag of Fritos, which is perfect to take on the road (or in the mini-van).

For the Frito Pie recipe, click here.

Is there anything more crowd-pleasing than a big dish of cheesy pasta? How about the same dish topped with tater tots? This version sneaks in some vegetables, something we all were on high-alert for while growing up, but the benefit of which we now understand — maybe.

For the Veggie Tot Mac and Cheese recipe, click here.

No one wants a boring old sandwich for dinner, but fun ingredients stuffed into a pita pocket? That’s a way more exciting meal. This basic recipe can be used as inspiration for many variations, and just might remind you of quick dinners from long ago.

For the Stuffed Pita Pockets recipe, click here.

There’s a reason that chicken fingers are a staple on restaurant kids’ menus across the country — they’re so darn tasty, can be eaten with small hands, and everyone loves a food that can be dunked into sauce. This homemade version is even better than you remember.

For the Breaded Chicken Fingers recipe, click here.

Dinner becomes exciting when you can bring a favorite carnival food to the table. Size matters, too — any food becomes even more kid-friendly when you make a mini version of it.

For the Mini Corn Dogs With Green Chile Mustard recipe, click here.

Bagel melts aren’t just for dinner — they can be great at any meal. They’re so versatile, you can create one with whatever ingredients you happen to find in the fridge (which may be why they were a popular choice for a quick dinner back in the day).

For the Bacon and Tomato Open-Faced Bagel Melt recipe, click here.

This recipe is an easy way for parents to get kids to eat their soup — by tossing in all the flavors of a cheeseburger. It’s not only delicious, but really fun to eat.

For the All-American Cheeseburger Soup recipe, click here.

Stuffed peppers are easy to assemble and require just a handful of ingredients. It’s not hard to find a version to please even the pickiest eaters in the family, making this a busy parent’s dream dish through the years.

For the Stuffed Peppers recipe, click here.

Kids love the thrill of having a meal during a time when it’s normally off-limits, and parents love that the ingredients are usually already in the fridge or pantry. Scrambled eggs, French toast, pancakes, bacon… It can be hard to choose when there are so many easy, delicious breakfast-for-dinner ideas.

For the Best Breakfast Recipe in Every State, click here.

More from The Daily Meal:

25 Childhood Desserts You Forgot Existed

25 Recipes No One Makes Anymore – But Should

Childhood Traditions We Now Realize Were Super Gross

What Food a Dollar Could Buy the Year You Were Born

25 Candies From Your Childhood You Didn’t Know Still Exist