15 Grown-Up Versions of Your Favorite Childhood Recipes (2024)

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Our kid selves would have balked at all the green in our mac and cheese. But as adults, we love the contrast of spicy jalapeño and creamy avocado.

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

Chicken nuggets are basically only acceptable under the age of 12. But these chicken tenders—with a few grown-up ingredients like cayenne pepper and sesame seeds—are for everyone.

What’s Gaby Cooking

Coterie member Gaby Dalkin took one of our all-time favorite dinners and kicked it up a notch. Her creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce will make you swear off the jarred stuff forever.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Why use Kraft singles in your grilled cheese when you can have fontina, Emmentaler and goat cheese? We also recommend ditching the white bread in favor of this crisp sourdough.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

We have fond memories of eating frozen French toast sticks while watching Saturday morning cartoons. This update is a little more sophisticated (think: honey-vanilla syrup for dipping) but we won’t blame you if you switch on the Looney Tunes anyway.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

We’re of the opinion that salted caramel and chocolate have the potential to make anything better, and Rice Krispie Treats are no exception. (Plus, they pack up fabulously for a potluck or cookout.)

The minimalist baker

We’re a little more health conscious these days, which means amping up the plant-based proteins. But that doesn’t mean giving up our favorite dishes. This Sloppy Joe recipe subs in lentils for beef, and we promise, you’ll never know the difference.

Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Fish sticks are undeniably retro, but this version is about as modern as it gets—it’s made in the air fryer and uses tapioca starch and almond flour to keep it totally Paleo-friendly. The good news is that the end result is as crispy and comforting as we remember.

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

Sneaking in an extra veggie in place of marinara sauce definitely would not have flown with us when we were kids. But now, we love the surprising sweetness it brings to our pies.

Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell

Mint chip has been a big favorite since the days we chased after the ice cream truck. This grown-up version features real mint instead of the artificial stuff, and homemade chocolate chips to take it over the top.

Two Peas and Their Pod

Coterie member Maria Lichty jazzes up this classic tomato soup with roasted red peppers and smoky paprika. You’ll want to eat it with fancy grilled cheese, of course.

Damn Delicious

Everyone should have a go-to pancake recipe, and this is ours. The ricotta keeps the pancakes extra fluffy, and we love the classic combination of lemon and blueberry.

Photo: Mark Weinberg/ Styling: Erin McDowell

Turns out that a sugar rush has nothing on a caffeine rush. These cookies combine the two for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

When we were kids, we always craved a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day. Not much has changed, except that now we like to blend it with ice and spike it with vodka or gin.

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

Just like Granny used to make, except that this version has a little serrano chile for heat and a runny poached egg on top. We promise: It will cure whatever ails you.