10+ Gourmet Upgrades to Your Favorite Childhood Recipes

Allrecipes Magazine

Comfort food's name is no coincidence. From PB&J to mac and cheese, these are the homey dishes we all grew up on and give us a comforting feeling to this day. But just because it's a classic doesn't mean it can't get a newfangled spin. The recipes below add gourmet, grownup flair to the childhood classics we all grew up on. With spicy, pungent, and piquant twists — and, okay, a bit of booze — you'll soon see that the dishes from your youth can actually evolve into delicious, revamped meals you will enjoy years later.

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Kicked Up Mac and Cheese

Jackson Christie

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Who didn't grow up loving the neon-orange mac and cheese in the blue box? With this recipe, the classic dish gets a full makeover. A combination of three different cheeses — and a healthy dose of heat — make this macaroni a grown-up favorite.

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Blue Cheese Burgers

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For those who always went for burgers over dogs at family barbecues, look no further than these blue-cheese stuffed burgers. The beef patties are seasoned not just with cheese crumbles but also earthy chives and tangy Worcestershire sauce.

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PBnJ "Workday" Smoothie

Buckwheat Queen

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If you grew up loving peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, this smoothie will be right up your alley. Made with a combination of strawberries, vanilla yogurt, frozen banana for creaminess, and, of course peanut butter, this smoothie is sweet and satiating.

6 Do's & Don'ts of Making Smoothies

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Lobster Scrambled Eggs

Linda T

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Scrambled eggs were a breakfast staple growing up, but this recipe makes them a whole lot more decadent. Scrambled with lobster and a bit of tarragon, these are grown-up eggs for sure.

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Extra Caffeinated Brownies

Linda T

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A hint of coffee is a common secret ingredient to make chocolate taste more like, well, chocolate! But you might want to keep these brownies on a high shelf: with eight cups of coffee in the batter, one bite will have your kids bouncing off the walls.

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Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Allrecipes Magazine

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What's more comforting than a gooey grilled cheese sandwich? While it's hard to beat plain ol' American slices, this recipe pairs them with flavorful provolone and a spoonful of prepared pesto. Pair with your favorite white wine for the ultimate dinnertime indulgence.

17 Next-Level Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Stuffed Fried Whole Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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Take everything you loved about mozzarella sticks growing up, and dress them up a little bit to arrive at this phenomenal salad featuring a whole fried mozzarella ball. Sharing optional!

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Fried PB & J

Matt Wencl

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If a basic sandwich isn't cutting it, you could always opt for a fried PB&J instead. Homemade rhubarb jam, strawberries, and peanut butter are folded into store-bought crescent rolls and fried for something ultra decadent and delicious.

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Butternut Squash Pizzas with Rosemary

Allrecipes Magazine

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Everyone loves a classic cheese pizza, but this version is a bit more refined. Rosemary-scented butternut squash plays with onion and Parmesan cheese on this delightful pizza that's a breeze to assemble.

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Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread

Dianne

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For a slightly more subtle caffeine boost to a childhood favorite, this caramel macchiato banana bread features just a hint of coffee in its sweet, subtly spiced batter.

26 Best Banana Breads to Make the Most of Ripe Bananas

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Cinnamon Chicken Nuggets

thedailygourmet

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This recipe adds a spiced note to classic chicken nuggets. A touch of cinnamon might seem unorthodox, but it really takes these fried bites to next-level deliciousness.

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Beer Floats

Chef John

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No, that's no typo. Just like its teetotaling cousin root beer, beer can make the perfect base for an ice cream float. For the true beer connoisseur, this base recipe is just the beginning: stout and coffee ice cream; wheat beer and raspberry sorbet; sour lambic with vanilla... the sky truly is the limit!

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Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Sourdough

bd.weld

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In this sweet-and-savory version of the beloved childhood sandwich, a smoky raspberry chipotle sauce and sharp cheddar unite for a unique play on the classic.

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10+ Gourmet Upgrades to Your Favorite Childhood Recipes

1 of 13

Kicked Up Mac and Cheese

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Blue Cheese Burgers

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PBnJ "Workday" Smoothie

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Lobster Scrambled Eggs

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Extra Caffeinated Brownies

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Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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Stuffed Fried Whole Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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Fried PB & J

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Butternut Squash Pizzas with Rosemary

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Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread

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Cinnamon Chicken Nuggets

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Beer Floats

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Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Sourdough

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