19 Homestyle Recipes to Outshine Any Trendy Meal Kit

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Reclaiming the kitchen with 19 homestyle recipes that will blow any meal kit out of the water. Think slow-cooked comfort classics that simmer with flavor, one-pot wonders bursting with fresh ingredients, and family-favorite casseroles.

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

chicken pasta on a fork
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker creation is a nod to classic Italian comforts, featuring tender chicken in a creamy, cheese-laden sauce. It’s a homestyle dish that outshines fleeting food fads, offering simplicity and heartiness that prompts second and third helpings.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

A wooden spoon is being lifted out of a stuffed bell pepper casserole dish.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy the familiar flavors of stuffed peppers without the extra work, thanks to this casserole that combines the traditional ingredients in a convenient form. It’s a homestyle solution to hectic evenings, effortlessly aligning with the need for comforting meals that transcend the latest food crazes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Olive Garden Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Whip up a nourishing one-pot meal with this Instant Pot Minestrone soup, brimming with vegetables and flavor. In just 30 minutes, you can serve a classic soup that prioritizes homestyle cooking over TikTok trends, ensuring a wholesome dining experience.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy the simplicity of slow-cooked country style ribs, where the combination of peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce creates an irresistibly tender dish. This homestyle recipe stands the test of time, providing a comforting and easy meal that doesn’t chase the latest food trends.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This casserole transforms the street food favorite into a family-friendly feast. Layers of beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos come together for a fun and informal meal that makes any dinner feel like a celebration. It’s a homestyle take on a popular treat, proving that classic comforts can outshine passing food trends.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Recreate the Olive Garden favorite with this chicken gnocchi soup, combining a creamy broth with chicken and veggies in a slow cooker. It’s a homestyle dish that brings the comfort of a beloved restaurant into your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This copycat recipe captures the essence of Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf, providing a homestyle meal that’s seasoned to perfection. It’s a nostalgic dish that brings the restaurant experience home, proving that classic comfort is always in style.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Chicken Parm Casserole

Baked pasta dish topped with melted cheese in a glass dish.
Chicken Parm Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Simplify your dinner routine with a quick and easy chicken parmesan casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This homestyle recipe brings together familiar flavors in a convenient format, proving that timeless dishes can hold their own against any meal kit.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Casserole

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken in a white bowl with chopsticks.
Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Discover the crisp and flavorful results of air fryer Kung Pao chicken, a healthier take on the Chinese classic. This recipe brings a restaurant-quality meal to your table, emphasizing homestyle cooking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Picture effortless BBQ chicken legs, tender and coated in a tangy sauce, all achieved in the slow cooker. This homestyle dish is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic flavors and simple preparation, easily outperforming temporary food trends.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken on wooden cutting board.
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Savor the flavors of honey garlic chicken thighs cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot. Ready in about 30 minutes, this homestyle recipe delivers a quick and satisfying meal without a meal kit.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let the slow cooker work its magic on chicken thighs, turning basic ingredients into a comforting dinner. This homestyle dish is a testament to the appeal of simple, unpretentious cooking that stands in contrast to fleeting food trends.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a homemade version of Chick-fil-A’s Tortilla Soup, capturing the essence of the restaurant’s renowned flavor. This homestyle soup showcases the timeless appeal of classic recipes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bring the zest and excitement of Panda Express’s Orange Chicken to your own kitchen with this Instant Pot recipe. Ready in under an hour, this homestyle dish offers a flavorful alternative to takeout.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Baked Manicotti

Baked manicotti in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Manicotti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Dive into a cheesy paradise with baked manicotti, featuring pasta shells stuffed and coated in a robust meat sauce. This homestyle Italian feast is a celebration of enduring comfort food that remains steadfast amidst fleeting food trends.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

French Onion Casserole

A bowl of French onion casserole
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This French Onion Casserole is a weeknight savior, offering a one-pan meal topped with crispy onions. It’s a homestyle dish that brings together ease and comfort, not what is currently trending on TikTok.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Beef tips with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Experience the ultimate comfort with Slow Cooker Beef Tips, served in a rich gravy. This homestyle dish has the timeless appeal of hearty meals that don’t conform to the latest food trends, providing a stress-free cooking experience.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This one-pan Taco Rice Skillet streamlines dinner preparation, combining all your favorite taco elements into a quick and hearty meal. It’s a homestyle approach to family dining that is as quick as any meal kit.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Italian Mushroom Stew

Top view of a big pot of mushroom stew with cheese and basil on a cutting board next to the pot.
Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Savor the homestyle charm of this Italian Mushroom Stew, a dish that transports you to the heart of Italy with every spoonful. It’s a comforting, no-nonsense meal that proves homestyle cooking can outlast any food trend, perfect for ladling over crusty bread.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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