Birthday Dinner Ideas: 16 Old-Fashioned Meals We Always Asked Mom to Make

Birthday dinner ideas used to be simple in a lot of American homes: the birthday kid did not pick a restaurant, they picked the dinner. Mom made it from scratch, the whole family sat down together, and decades later that one meal still tastes like your birthday. A Facebook video about one family’s salmon patty tradition recently drew thousands of comments from people naming their own birthday meal. Below are the old-fashioned dishes people say they asked for every single year, each with an easy recipe so you can start the tradition again at your house. No cake on this list, just dinner. Which one was yours..

Skillet Fried Chicken, the Most Requested of All Birthday Dinner Ideas

In a lot of homes the birthday kid did not pick a restaurant. They picked the dinner. And the answer, again and again, was Mom’s skillet fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. The secret is a buttermilk soak and patience: cook it slowly in a heavy skillet so the crust turns deep golden while the inside stays juicy. Fried chicken or something else on your big day? Keep scrolling..

You will need: 3 to 4 lb chicken pieces, 2 cups buttermilk, 2 tsp salt (divided), 2 cups flour, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, vegetable oil or shortening for frying, mashed potatoes and gravy to serve.

How to make it: 1. Soak the chicken in buttermilk with 1 tsp salt for at least 4 hours or overnight. 2. Mix the flour, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and remaining salt. 3. Dredge each piece well and let it rest 10 minutes. 4. Heat 1 inch of oil to 325 F in a heavy skillet. 5. Fry in batches 12 to 15 minutes, turning, until the inside reaches 165 F. 6. Drain on a rack and serve with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Salmon Patties, the Birthday Dinner Ideas Nannie Started

Salmon patties top many lists of old-fashioned birthday dinner ideas, and the reason is family. A Facebook video from The Southern Lady Cooks said her Nannie made them, Mom kept the tradition, and the kids still ask for them on their birthdays. It drew more than 21,000 reactions and 3,000 comments from people sharing the same memory. Canned salmon, crackers and an egg: that is all. Did your mom serve them with creamed peas?

You will need: 1 can (14.75 oz) salmon (drained, skin and big bones removed), 1 egg, 1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 1 tbsp mayonnaise, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 3 tbsp oil for frying, lemon wedges.

How to make it: 1. Flake the salmon into a bowl. 2. Mix in the egg, crackers, onion, mayonnaise and pepper. 3. Shape into 6 patties and chill 10 minutes so they hold together. 4. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. 5. Fry 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. 6. Drain on paper towels and serve with lemon.

Chicken and Dumplings, a Hug in a Bowl

Some kids wanted fancy. Others wanted Mom’s chicken and dumplings, the slow Sunday kind that filled the whole house with the smell of broth. The dumplings are just flour, baking powder, butter and milk, dropped by the spoonful onto simmering soup so they puff up like little pillows. It is cheap, filling and easy to stretch when relatives show up. Rolled flat dumplings or fluffy drop dumplings: which side are you on?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb boneless chicken thighs, 6 cups chicken broth, 2 carrots and 2 celery ribs (sliced), 1 small onion (chopped), 1/2 cup milk mixed with 2 tbsp flour. Dumplings: 2 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 3 tbsp cold butter, 3/4 cup milk.

How to make it: 1. Simmer the chicken, broth and vegetables for 25 minutes. 2. Remove the chicken, shred it and return it to the pot. 3. Stir in the milk and flour mix to thicken. 4. Cut the butter into the flour, baking powder and salt, then stir in the milk. 5. Drop spoonfuls onto the simmering stew. 6. Cover and cook 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Sunday Pot Roast, One of the Coziest Birthday Dinner Ideas

Pot roast is one of those birthday dinner ideas that tells the birthday kid they are worth an afternoon. A cheap chuck roast cooks low and slow with carrots, potatoes and onions until it falls apart with a fork. Mom often put it in the oven before church and dinner was ready when everyone got home. Save the juices for gravy. Did your family eat it with rolls or cornbread?

You will need: 3 to 4 lb chuck roast, salt and pepper, 2 tbsp oil, 1 onion (cut in wedges), 4 carrots (cut in chunks), 1 1/2 lb small potatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 sprigs thyme.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 300 F. 2. Season the roast well and brown it on all sides in oil in a Dutch oven. 3. Add the onion, garlic, broth, Worcestershire and thyme. 4. Cover and bake 2 1/2 hours. 5. Add the carrots and potatoes around the meat. 6. Bake 1 hour more until the beef is fork tender.

Homemade Lasagna for the Big Family Table

Homemade lasagna is the birthday meal that says there is room for everyone. Layers of meat sauce, ricotta and melted mozzarella bake into a pan that feeds ten, and somehow there are never leftovers. Many moms made it the night before, which is also the secret: lasagna slices cleaner and tastes better after a rest. Corner piece with crispy edges or soft middle piece?

You will need: 12 lasagna noodles, 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb Italian sausage, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara, 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce, 15 oz ricotta, 1 egg, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 3 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 tsp Italian seasoning.

How to make it: 1. Cook the noodles and heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Brown the beef and sausage, then stir in the marinara, tomato sauce and seasoning. 3. Mix the ricotta, egg and parmesan. 4. Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta and mozzarella three times in a 9×13 pan. 5. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. 6. Uncover, bake 20 minutes more and rest 15 minutes.

Chicken Fried Steak With Cream Gravy

In Texas and across the South, chicken fried steak is one of the birthday dinner ideas that wins every vote. Thin cube steaks get a crunchy flour coating, then a ladle of peppery cream gravy made right in the same skillet. Serve it with mashed potatoes and green beans and the birthday kid will clean the plate. Tip from the old cooks: dredge twice for the craggy crust. Gravy on the side or all over?

You will need: 4 cube steaks, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, oil for frying. Gravy: 3 tbsp pan drippings, 3 tbsp flour, 2 cups milk, salt and plenty of pepper.

How to make it: 1. Mix the flour with the salt, pepper and garlic powder. 2. Beat the eggs with the milk. 3. Dredge each steak in flour, dip in egg, then flour again. 4. Fry in 1/2 inch of oil 3 to 4 minutes per side. 5. Pour off all but 3 tbsp oil, whisk in the flour, then the milk. 6. Simmer until thick and season well.

Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs

Ask a room full of grown-ups about birthday dinner ideas from childhood and someone always says spaghetti and meatballs. Mom rolled the meatballs by hand, let them simmer in red sauce all afternoon, and the birthday kid got the first bowl. Soaking bread in milk is the old trick that keeps them soft. Big meatballs or little ones?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 2 slices bread soaked in 1/3 cup milk, 1 egg, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tsp salt, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or 4 cups homemade sauce, 1 lb spaghetti.

How to make it: 1. Squeeze the bread and mix it with the meats, egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley and salt. 2. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls. 3. Brown them in a little oil. 4. Add the sauce, cover and simmer 30 minutes. 5. Cook the spaghetti. 6. Toss with some sauce and top with meatballs and parmesan.

Beef Enchiladas Smothered in Red Sauce

For many Texas and California families, birthday means a big pan of beef enchiladas. Corn tortillas get rolled around seasoned beef and cheese, covered in red chile sauce and baked until bubbly. Grandma might have made the sauce from dried chiles, but a good canned sauce gets dinner on the table in 40 minutes. Add rice and beans on the side. Quick poll: A) red sauce, B) green sauce, C) both, D) sour cream on everything.

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 small onion (diced), 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 can (19 oz) red enchilada sauce, 10 corn tortillas, 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, sliced green onions, sour cream.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Brown the beef with the onion, cumin and chili powder. 3. Warm the tortillas so they bend without cracking. 4. Fill each with beef and a little cheese, roll and set seam down in a 9×13 pan. 5. Pour the sauce over and top with the rest of the cheese. 6. Bake 20 minutes and top with green onions.

Shrimp and Grits for the Grown-Up Birthday

Shrimp and grits is one of the birthday dinner ideas that started showing up once the kids were grown, and in Lowcountry homes it has been a special meal for generations. Creamy cheese grits go in the bowl first, then shrimp cooked with bacon, garlic and a splash of lemon. It feels like a restaurant dinner but takes 30 minutes. Stone-ground grits take longer but taste the best. Would you ask for it on your birthday?

You will need: 1 cup stone-ground or quick grits, 4 cups water or broth, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 2 tbsp butter, 1 lb large shrimp (peeled), 4 slices bacon (chopped), 2 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3 green onions (sliced), salt and pepper.

How to make it: 1. Bring the water to a boil, whisk in the grits and cook until thick, stirring often. 2. Stir in the cheese and butter and keep warm. 3. Cook the bacon until crisp and remove it. 4. Cook the shrimp and garlic in the drippings 2 to 3 minutes. 5. Add the lemon juice. 6. Spoon over the grits and top with bacon and green onions.

Breakfast for Dinner, the Kid Favorite

Plenty of kids picked the most fun of all birthday dinner ideas: breakfast for dinner. Stacks of pancakes, crispy bacon and eggs any way you like, served after dark, felt like breaking the rules. It is also cheap and fast, which tired parents loved. Make a special birthday stack with whipped cream and sprinkles for the guest of honor. Which would you pick: A) pancakes, B) waffles, C) French toast, D) biscuits and gravy?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cups buttermilk, 2 eggs, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1 lb bacon, 6 eggs for frying, butter and maple syrup.

How to make it: 1. Bake the bacon on a sheet pan at 400 F for 15 to 18 minutes. 2. Whisk the dry ingredients in one bowl and the buttermilk, eggs and butter in another. 3. Stir together until just mixed; a few lumps are fine. 4. Cook 1/4 cup portions on a buttered griddle until bubbles form, then flip. 5. Fry the eggs. 6. Serve hot with butter and syrup.

Homemade Pizza Night, Birthday Dinner Ideas Kids Love

Homemade pizza night turned a birthday into a party. Mom made the dough in the afternoon, and everyone got to add their own toppings, which is why it still ranks high on lists of birthday dinner ideas for kids. A simple margherita lets the dough shine, but nobody stops the birthday kid from piling on pepperoni. A hot sheet pan gives a crisp bottom even without a pizza stone. What is your must-have topping?

You will need: Dough: 3 cups flour, 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup warm water, 2 tbsp olive oil. Topping: 1 cup pizza sauce, 8 oz fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil.

How to make it: 1. Mix the dough ingredients and knead 5 minutes. 2. Let it rise covered for 1 hour. 3. Heat the oven to 475 F with a sheet pan inside. 4. Stretch the dough on parchment and add sauce and torn mozzarella. 5. Slide onto the hot pan and bake 12 to 15 minutes. 6. Top with basil and a drizzle of oil.

Taco Night, Easy Birthday Dinner Ideas for a Crowd

Taco night is one of the easiest birthday dinner ideas to pull off for a crowd, and kids love building their own. Set out seasoned beef, warm tortillas and every topping in little bowls: cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, salsa and sour cream. Homemade seasoning beats the packet and takes one minute to stir together. The birthday kid gets to build the first taco. Hard shell or soft?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 cup water, 12 taco shells or tortillas, shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, onion, salsa, sour cream.

How to make it: 1. Mix all the spices with the salt. 2. Brown the beef in a skillet and drain the fat. 3. Stir in the spices and water. 4. Simmer 5 minutes until saucy. 5. Warm the shells in a 350 F oven for 5 minutes. 6. Set out the toppings and let everyone build their own.

Beef Stew With Hot Biscuits

A November or January birthday often meant a pot of beef stew and a pan of hot biscuits. The beef browns first, then simmers with potatoes, carrots and a little tomato paste until the gravy turns rich and thick. Mom made it in the morning and the house smelled like it all day. Use the biscuits to wipe the bowl clean. Biscuits, cornbread or crusty bread for dunking?

You will need: 2 lb beef stew meat, 3 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp oil, 1 onion (chopped), 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 4 carrots and 4 potatoes (cut in chunks), 1 cup frozen peas, 1 can refrigerated biscuits or homemade.

How to make it: 1. Toss the beef in the flour and brown it in batches in oil. 2. Add the onion and tomato paste and cook 2 minutes. 3. Stir in the broth and Worcestershire, cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. 4. Add the carrots and potatoes and cook 30 minutes more. 5. Stir in the peas. 6. Bake the biscuits and serve them on the side.

Baked Ham With Pineapple Rings

Baked ham with pineapple and cherries looks like a holiday, so of course some kids asked for it on their birthday too. Of all the birthday dinner ideas here, this one may be the easiest: the ham is already cooked, so you only glaze and heat it. Brown sugar and pineapple juice make a sticky shine, and leftovers make the best sandwiches for days. For more family favorites, see our Appalachian recipes grandma made from almost nothing. Did your family serve it with scalloped potatoes?

You will need: 1 fully cooked bone-in half ham (7 to 9 lb), 1 can (20 oz) pineapple rings in juice, maraschino cherries, whole cloves (optional), 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 325 F and set the ham cut side down in a roasting pan. 2. Score the top in a diamond pattern. 3. Pin pineapple rings and cherries on with toothpicks or cloves. 4. Simmer 1/2 cup pineapple juice with the brown sugar and mustard for 5 minutes. 5. Bake the ham 12 to 15 minutes per pound, brushing with glaze every 30 minutes. 6. Rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Chicken Pot Pie With a Flaky Crust

Chicken pot pie is one of the birthday dinner ideas that feels like real love, because someone made a pie crust just for you. A creamy filling of chicken, peas and carrots bakes under a golden, flaky top. Store-bought crust works fine, and a rotisserie chicken cuts the work in half. Let it rest 10 minutes so the filling sets before you cut it. Top crust only, or crust on the bottom too?

You will need: 2 refrigerated pie crusts, 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded), 1/3 cup butter, 1/3 cup chopped onion, 1/3 cup flour, 1 3/4 cups chicken broth, 2/3 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 egg (beaten).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425 F and fit one crust into a 9 inch pie dish. 2. Melt the butter and cook the onion 3 minutes. 3. Stir in the flour, then slowly add the broth and milk until thick. 4. Add the chicken, vegetables, salt and pepper. 5. Pour into the crust, add the top crust, seal and cut slits. 6. Brush with egg and bake 30 to 35 minutes.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese, the Side the Birthday Kid Picked

Some birthday dinner ideas are really about the side dish. In a lot of homes the birthday kid chose the meat, but the baked mac and cheese was the real reason to be excited. Real cheddar, a creamy sauce and a browned top that gets a little crispy at the edges. Make a double pan, because it disappears. Last question: what was YOUR birthday dinner growing up? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: 1 lb elbow macaroni, 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup flour, 3 cups milk, 1 cup evaporated milk, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar (divided), 1 cup shredded Colby or Monterey Jack.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and cook the macaroni 2 minutes less than the box says. 2. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute. 3. Whisk in both milks and cook until thick. 4. Stir in the mustard, paprika, salt and 3 cups cheddar until smooth. 5. Fold in the pasta and pour into a buttered 9×13 dish. 6. Top with the remaining cheese and bake 25 to 30 minutes.