From sloppy joes to tapioca pudding, these old school cafeteria recipes will bring you right back to the 8th grade. How many of these foods did you eat in school?
38 Cafeteria Copycat Recipes That’ll Take You Back
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Walking Tacos
When sitting down to tacos isn't an option, walking tacos are the answer. These self-contained mini-meals are just the thing for eating on the go or around a campfire.
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Bacon-Turkey Subs
On balmy fall days, this sweet and smoky sandwich is a big treat. When it gets colder, we pull out our countertop grill to make melts. Just switch to pita bread. —Rachel Bindulski, Corolla, NC
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Frosted Brownies
These Frosted Brownies have an amazing chocolate frosting that you'll adore. Sit back and savor every bit of the chewy brownie base and rich, fudgy frosting.
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Sloppy Joe Dogs
There are so many different ways to top a hot dog, but this tasty sloppy joe version beats them all! —Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
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Cheesy Quesadillas
We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
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Chilled Fruit Cups
This refreshing frozen salad is easy to assemble ahead and serve to a group at breakfast - or any time of day. It's a convenient and colorful addition to a holiday buffet. —Andrea Hawthorne, Mozeman, Montana
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French Toast Sticks
French toast sticks are the perfect kid-friendly, make-ahead breakfast. Simply prep the sticks and freeze them, then pop them in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy.
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Philly Cheese Sandwiches
I'm a big fan of cheesesteaks, and in this throw-together recipe my slow cooker does all the work. It's a win-win. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
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Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
One of the nice things about this easy pudding is you don't have to stand and stir it. It's a must for my family year-round! I also make it into a pie with a graham cracker crust that our grandchildren love. —Amber Sampson, Somonauk, Illinois
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Sloppy Joe Recipe
Who doesn't love a classic sloppy joe recipe? Customize your homemade sloppy joes by mixing in veggies or melting cheese on top.
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Indiana-Style Corn Dogs
One of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana
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Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders
One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
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Cheese Fries
Quick, easy and a surefire hit at your next gameday potluck or family gathering, you need just 20 minutes and six ingredients to whip up a large batch of these cheese fries.
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Meat Loaf Muffins
These freezer-friendly meat loaf muffins are a simple-to-make family favorite recipe. Make them for dinner tonight or to freeze later for quick weeknight meals.
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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars
My family loves this peanut butter cookie bars recipe—oatmeal, brownie bars, peanuts—it's made from all our favorite things! Oatmeal, peanut butter and chocolate chips make these bars a big hit with kids of all ages. Since I always have these basic ingredients on hand, I can whip up a batch anytime. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa
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Spaghetti Meatball Supper
It was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming
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White Texas Sheet Cake
This classic white Texas sheet cake is delicious, and surprisingly quick and easy to make. You won't even need to wait for the cake to cool completely before icing it!
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Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches
I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
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Lunch Box Pizzas
When you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
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Homemade Fish Sticks
This fun homemade fish stick recipe is super easy and healthy, too! Kids and adults will love them.
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Tapioca Pudding
This homemade tapioca pudding is made in a slow cooker, so there's no need to stand and watch the pot like with a traditional recipe.
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Baked Beef Tacos
Upgrade your usual Tuesday night taco with this clever (and tasty!) oven baked tacos recipe.
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Kid-Friendly Chili
This mild kid-friendly chili is a comforting and satisfying dish that even picky eaters will love, and you can make it in just 30 minutes thanks to a few shortcut ingredients from the pantry.
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Hot Dog Roll-Ups
Not only do my grandchildren love these cheese-filled hot dogs, they enjoy helping put the meal together, too. It's the perfect solution when you need a last-minute lunch. —Lyletta Searle, Morgan, Utah
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Frito Pie
Crunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
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Company Fruit Salad
We first tried a cream cheese fruit salad like this at a local deli. Since I couldn't get that recipe, I started mixing up different dressings until I hit on this one. Now I make this refreshing delightful salad for every picnic and get-to-gether. It can be a snack, side dish or dessert. —Connie Osterhout, Napoleon, Ohio
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Creamed Corn with Cream Cheese
Creamed corn with cream cheese is a side dish recipe that goes with any meal and almost any occasion. Our five-ingredient recipe is made in the slow cooker for a mostly hands-off cooking experience.
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Skillet Nachos
My mom gave me a fundraiser cookbook, and this is the recipe I’ve used most. My whole family is on board. For toppings, think sour cream, tomatoes, jalapeno and red onion. —Judy Hughes, Waverly, Kansas
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No-Bake Cereal Bars
With two kinds of cereal and peanut butter, these bars taste almost like candy. —Pauline Christiansen, Columbus, Kansas
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Classic Carrot Cake
I entered this yummy, moist cake in a Colorado Outfitters Association dessert contest. My carrot cake with pineapple earned first place! —Cheri Eby, Gunnison, Colorado
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Chicken & Bean Chili
Chili Time is any time you want to make a hungry crowd happy. This creamy chili is a must at my soup party every year. —Theresa Baehr, Williamsburg, Michigan
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Easy Cake Mix Bars
I take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It's one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they're so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri
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Breadstick Pizza
Not only do refrigerated breadsticks lend a fun twist to pizza, but they make this dish a weeknight staple at my house. Feeding kids? Slice pieces into small strips and let the kids dip each strip into marinara sauce. They’ll love it! —Mary Hankins, Kansas City, Missouri
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Pizza Egg Rolls
If you love pizza rolls and often wished they were a little bigger, this recipe for pizza eggrolls is for you. A filling based on your favorite pizza topping is wrapped in an eggroll wrapper and fried; make a large batch of these to store in the freezer for later.
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Sweet Macaroni Salad
A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don't like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida
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Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins
I wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this kid-friendly recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida
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Brenda's Baked Beans
When I was a kid, my mom made baked beans all the time. Sometimes we'd turn this side into a main dish by adding sliced hot dogs. —Brenda Brooks, Bowie, Maryland
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