Old-timey recipes have a way of turning a Labor Day gathering into the kind of celebration everyone remembers, especially when the serving dishes keep coming back empty. Full of flavors and crowd-friendly portions, they make it easy to feed a hungry group without spending the entire day fussing over complicated dishes. Make a generous batch, because with recipes this good, one round is unlikely to make it through the party.
Cornbread with Bisquick
Warm, tender cornbread with golden edges brings that old-fashioned comfort everyone loves at a holiday table. Bisquick keeps the prep wonderfully simple, so a fresh batch can be in the oven without a lot of measuring or fussing around. Serve it with butter alongside chili, barbecue, or hearty sides, and don’t be surprised when the basket needs another round.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread with Bisquick
Apricot Chicken
Tender chicken coated in a glossy apricot glaze brings a sweet-and-savory twist to the holiday spread. Apricot preserves, broth, and simple seasonings create plenty of flavor while the 45-minute prep keeps dinner manageable when there’s already plenty happening. It’s the sort of familiar, family-friendly main dish that has everyone reaching for another piece.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Chicken
Old Fashioned Fudge
Creamy, rich chocolate fudge brings the nostalgic charm of an old-fashioned candy counter straight to the dessert table. A generous batch makes it easy to share with a crowd, wrap up for guests, or sneak a square whenever the sweet tooth strikes. Set out a platter during the celebration and watch those little squares disappear one by one.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Fudge
Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and warm crusty bread make a bright appetizer that feels right at home on a relaxed holiday table. Simple ingredients keep the preparation easy, while every bite brings a fresh contrast to all the richer dishes being served. Put out a generous platter because once guests start grabbing those little bites, they tend to go fast.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Rich, moist chocolate cake brings the kind of nostalgic dessert-table magic that needs very little introduction. Basic pantry staples turn into a deeply chocolatey cake with a tender crumb, making it an easy choice when a crowd calls for something decadent. One cake may sound like plenty, but a second slice has a funny way of becoming everyone’s idea.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cake
Summer Salad
Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a little onion keep the holiday spread fresh and colorful. A simple homemade dressing pulls everything together in about 10 minutes, giving the cook an easy side without another complicated recipe to manage. It’s light enough to balance the heavier dishes and tasty enough that guests keep going back for more.
Get the Recipe: Summer Salad
Peach Cobbler Made with Cake Mix Recipe
Soft, syrupy peaches beneath a buttery golden topping bring all the cozy charm of an old-fashioned summer dessert. Cake mix makes the shortcut wonderfully easy while still giving the cobbler that warm, homemade texture everyone expects. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream, and there’s a good chance one baking dish won’t be enough.
Get the Recipe: Peach Cobbler Made with Cake Mix Recipe
Broccoli Casserole
Tender broccoli baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with buttery crackers turns a simple vegetable into serious comfort food. Everything comes together in one dish, which means less prep and cleanup when the kitchen is already busy with holiday cooking. It’s an easy classic that gets even the picky eaters reaching for another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Frog Eye Salad
Frog Eye Salad may have a funny name, but its sweet, creamy combination is a longtime favorite for good reason. Acini di pepe pasta, pineapple, grapes, peaches, and mandarin oranges mingle with a custard-style base and fluffy whipped topping for a colorful retro side. It brings a little nostalgia to the table, and once everyone gets a taste, expect plenty of requests to make it again.
Get the Recipe: Frog Eye Salad
Red Velvet Cake
Light, tender red velvet cake with creamy frosting adds a little old-fashioned elegance to the dessert spread. Buttermilk, cocoa, and vanilla give it that familiar flavor, while the sweet cream cheese topping makes every slice feel extra special. It’s perfect for a holiday gathering, especially when one slice somehow turns into a second before the plates are cleared.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Tender chicken, tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and crisp vegetables come together in a creamy salad that brings plenty of texture to the table. With only about 10 minutes of prep, it’s an easy make-ahead dish that saves time when there are plenty of other recipes to juggle. Serve it with rolls, crackers, or on its own, and watch the bowl empty long before the gathering is over.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Butterscotch Brownies
Soft, chewy brownies with buttery butterscotch flavor are exactly the sort of simple homemade treat that belongs at a relaxed holiday gathering. The batter comes together easily before baking into golden-edged squares with a tender center. Cut them into small pieces for sharing, because guests will have a habit of grabbing “just one more.”
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Brownies
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes with plenty of butter, milk, and aromatic garlic bring pure comfort to a holiday plate. They’re simple enough for a busy cook but special enough to hold their own alongside all the other classic dishes on the table. Make a generous bowl because second helpings are practically guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Honey Glazed Carrots
Sweet, tender carrots coated in a glossy honey, garlic, and butter glaze add a colorful pop to the holiday spread. Everyday ingredients and a quick cooking time make them especially handy when the oven and stovetop are already working overtime. The sweet-savory finish turns a humble side into one guests keep scooping onto their plates.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Creamy cheese, juicy pineapple, crisp peppers, and crunchy pecans come together in a nostalgic appetizer that looks right at home on a party table. It’s easy to prepare ahead and serve with crackers, leaving guests free to graze while everyone visits. The sweet-and-savory combination has a way of disappearing so quickly that making a second one suddenly sounds like a very good idea.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball
Drop Biscuits
Fluffy buttermilk drop biscuits bring the cozy feeling of an old-fashioned family meal without the extra work of rolling and cutting dough. Just stir, drop, and bake, and a warm batch is ready in under 25 minutes. Serve them with butter, barbecue, or a hearty main, and keep the recipe handy because one basket may not survive the meal.
Get the Recipe: Drop Biscuits
Parmesan Potatoes
Baby potatoes roasted in a buttery Parmesan crust come out golden and crisp on the outside with tender centers everyone can get behind. They take about 45 minutes but require very little hands-on effort, making them an easy win when the holiday menu is already packed. Add sour cream for dipping and prepare for the serving dish to get scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes