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40 nostalgic Aussie recipes that will make you feel like a kid again

From Mum's favourite stroganoff to Dad's spag bol.
plate of corned beef with carrots and potatoes

Do you ever think back to your childhood and reminisce about the dinners your Mum used to make you? Reminisce no longer, and make them for your own kids instead!

From stroganoff to stew and every Aussie classic in between, we’ve got a recipe that will tickle your fancy, no matter what you grew up eating. We’ve got comfort foods for you, like mac and cheese, and a delicious twist on the often dreaded apricot chicken dish.

Take a look, and get started on your retro recipe night now!

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beefanddarkalestew

Throw in your gravy beef and any vegies you’ve got leftover in the fridge to make a hearty stew. With a hint of chili, you’ll be toasty in no time.

Tuna mornay with melted cheese and green herbs sprinkled on top in a red rectangular cast iron pot.

Nothing says nostalgic quite like a tuna pasta mornay. With heaps of hidden veg and a cheesy top, your kids will love this one as much as you do.

It’s one of the most foolproof ways to cook beef, and it’s extremely budget-friendly! Fancy it up with eschalots and Dutch carrots for a homey yet elegant dinner.

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Steak Diane recipe with vegs and chips

Elevate your simple steak Diane with sweet potato chips and beautiful florets of broccoli. Meat and two veg has never looked so good!

Chicken curry

A non-descript chicken curry may be exactly what you need for a warming, fulfilling dinner tonight. The best part is, it only takes 20 minutes to make!

curried sausages

Perfect for a mid-week meal, curried sausages was always the go-to when you need a pick-me-up. Defrost those sausages and bring out the Keens curry powder!

Herb fish cakes with avocado salsa

Avoid the cost of a takeaway and make these delightful fish cakes for dinner. Go gourmet and add some avocado salsa on top.

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Beef stir fry

One of the easiest family dinners involves a wok and a batch of fresh steamed rice. This beef stir-fry is classic, and oh-so-good!

Vertical potato bake

It’s easy to see why this recipe is one of our most popular, it’s got two of the most loved ingredients – potato and cheese. Serve up with a roast for a classic Sunday night dinner.

Mum’s all-time favourite is of course an easy beef stroganoff. Nothing could be easier than this recipe, it only takes 15 minutes!

karen martinis classic mac and cheese recipe
(Credits: Con Poulos)

For cold, blustery nights, mac and cheese is always the go-to. Add in a bit of mustard and grana padano for a dish that makes the whole house smell heavenly.

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Zucchini slice with cooked zucchini ribbons and thin tomato slices, parsley and dill on top.

Zucchini slice is considered the quintessential Aussie dish. Perfect for spring-time supper or a light early bird dinner.

Chilli con carne

Chilli con carne is reminiscent of a childhood cold winter’s day. Give this retro recipe a kickstart with a dash of spice.

(Photography Tim Roberts Styling Lucy Busuttil Recipes Clare Maguire + Sarah Murphy)

Everyone indeed loves (or hates!) apricot chicken – with nostalgic flavours and an ease to whip it up with minimal effort, it’s a weeknight winner. We’ve made it even easier with our delicious traybake apricot chicken. It’s no-fuss, one-tray wonder that brings comfort and bold flavour to the table.

Colin’s spaghetti Bolognese recipe

Spag bol was always Dad’s favourite recipe of choice. Colin’s version is more traditional, with a secret ingredient thrown in there too!

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beef taco recipe

Tacos can be done with those supermarket ready-made kits, but making everything yourself it that much more satisfying. While it’s not very traditional, it’s certainly a classic in many Aussie households.

chicken schnitzel

A good schnitty can be hard to come by, which is why mastering it at home is essential. This recipe heroes the crunchy crumb, with poppy seeds and quinoa mixed in.

Lasagne dish with one lasagne slice missing in white rectangular tray with wooden spoon on top.

The perfect winter warmer, lasagne is a dish that will fill you up, stomach and soul!

gluten-free recipes
(Credits: Benito Martin)

Nostalgia will hit you big time with this chicken Kiev recipe. The best part is, your gluten-free friends can enjoy it too!

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Shephard's Pie in a brown round rectangular dish with mashed potato on top. A gap from a missing slice shows the meat and vegetable contents of the pie.

You can’t go wrong with a fluffy and crispy mash with hearty gravied pie filling underneath. Serve up steaming hot and you’ll become the family favourite.

carbonara easy dinner idea

If it’s only 20 minutes til dinnertime, then this is the ideal classic recipe for you. With bacon, eggs and cheese as the main ingredients, carbonara will be a winner on even the fussiest eater’s dinner plate.

Chicken soup with carrot and green vegetables in a white oval pot with handles.

This is Mum’s favourite way to fight the sniffles, and it works every time! Soothe your sore throat with a bowl of this comforting chicken soup.

This fried rice recipe is all you need to get picky eaters savouring their meal. Get out your wok and start frying!

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rissoles-with-sweet-potato-mash

A nostalgic recipe round-up wouldn’t be complete without the ultimate nostalgic dish; rissoles. It may be an oldie, but it’s definitely a goodie.

(Photography Tim Roberts, styling Lucy Busuttil)

This classic dessert is pure comfort in a bowl. Perfect for cosy nights or when you need an easy crowd-pleaser, this recipe proves that old-fashioned favourites never go out of style.

(Photography: Tim Roberts, styl;ing: Lucy Busuttil, Recipes: Jessica Brook)

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked apple pie wafting through the kitchen; it’s a recipe that feels like home. This classic dessert, lovingly passed down through generations, is a reminder of family gatherings, Sunday lunches, and special occasions where one slice was never enough. 

(Photography Tim Roberts, Styling Lucy Busuttil, Recipes Clare Maguire and Kim Coverdale, Food preparation Tamika O’Neill)

If you want a dinner to set and forget, this creamy pork stew with dumplings is your secret weapon. With just 25 minutes of hands-on prep, you can toss everything together, let it cook away, and get on with your evening. 

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corned beef with carrot in bowl with white sauce drizzled on top
(Photography: Phil Castleton, Styling: Michele Cranston)

Colin’s recipe for corned beef and white sauce is a bit different to traditional. With parsley added to the white sauce to bring freshness and white wine in the corned beef boil, there’s a touch of lightness and brightness to this dish. For a nostalgic hit, with a modern twist, this recipe is for you!

Making an old fashioned chicken, mushroom and leek pie is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s satisfying every step of the way, from mixing the dough to serving up your masterpiece – and don’t think your labour of love will go unnoticed, because the tastebuds of your dinner guests will be forever grateful! 

steamed pudding made in the microwave on orange plate
(Photography: Tim Roberts, Styling: Michele Cranston)

With loads of winter flavours like ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and orange zest, you don’t even have to turn the oven on to make this dessert – it’s all done in the microwave. Desserts don’t get better than this!

lemon delicious individual puddings in separate containers
(Photography: Tim Roberts, styling Michele Cranston, recipes and food prep Clare Maguire)

Our individual lemon delicious pudding is perfect for entertaining. While it looks highly impressive, it only costs $2.34 per serve so it’ll give high-end on a budget.

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steak sandwich with pickled mushrooms inside

Any good Aussie pub will serve some version of a steak sandwich. This recipe takes it to new heights with pickled mushrooms and caramelised onions.

Pumpkin soup with cream in a swirl pattern and pepper in a green bowl with a brown knitted cloth underneath/
(Credits: Photography: Tim Roberts Styling: Michele Cranston)

Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of pumpkin soup on a cold day. If you’re after the best pumpkin soup to impress your guests, don’t look past this thick and creamy option. 

Minestrone soup with pasta and colourful vegetables in rusted cast iron pot with a spoon in it.

If comforting is all you want from dinner, then a bowl of minestrone is what you need. This one has all the classic ingredients- you’ll feel transported to Rome.

slow roast lamb with lemony mustard
(Credits: Pablo Martin)

For the perfect Sunday roast, this slow-roasted lemony mustard lamb brings the local pub to your home. This hearty meal can be served straight from the oven to the table, where family and friends can easily help themselves to a bit of meat and veg.

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pea and ham soup in green bowls

Pea and ham hock soup is one that would always be simmering on the stove come a cold winter’s day. It’s warming, comforting and most of all, a great shade of green.

quiche lorraine still in tin with one slice cute out and salad in background
Quiche, winter

Quiche Lorraine is the perfect French dish to serve on a hot spring or summer’s day. Pair with a picnic blanket and lots of flies for a quintessential Aussie experience.

prawn-cocktail

Classics never fade, but there’s nothing wrong with adding a crispy chorizo twist on top! Serve up this prawn cocktail for your favourite friends and family, they’ll love it!

carrot cake with walnut crust on the outside

This classic recipe is easy to make, with the cake, icing and finishing touches all coming together in just 7 steps. So you could have a delicious carrot cake ready to eat in just over an hour.

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When it comes to comfort food, you can’t beat this classic pud. Serve dusted with sugar, warm and with a dollop of cream (just like nanna does) or refrigerate overnight and serve the next day chilled. 

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