25 Recipes that Start with Saltines (2024)

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Your grandma didn't need Panko breadcrumbs to add a salty crunch to her recipes—she used saltines! They make great breading for fried foods, toppings for casseroles, fillings for meat loaf and meatballs—even pie crust and candy. Check out what you can make with this old-school ingredient.

Grandma's Swedish Meatballs

My mother made these hearty meatballs when we were growing up, and now I make them for my kids. They love them just as much as we did. My daughter likes to help toss the meatballs in flour. —Karin Ness, Big Lake, Minnesota

Mom's Meat Loaf

Mom made the best meat loaf, and now I do too. When I first met my husband, he wasn't a meat loaf guy, but this recipe won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas

Crispy Beer-Battered Fish

A local restaurant made a similar breading for shrimp po' boys, but we think this version's better. I serve the beer battered fish with a ranch dressing and hot sauce mixture as a dip. —Jenny Wenzel, Gulfport, Mississippi

Dad’s Cola Burgers

Before you hand out the drinks, save a little soda to make these delectable burgers. Cola—used in the meat mixture and brushed on during cooking—really sparks the flavor and takes this favorite to a whole new level. —Emily Nelson, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Cashew Chicken Casserole

I especially like this dish because I can get it ready the day before I need it. It's easy to whip up with common pantry items, including macaroni, canned soup and saltine crackers. —Julie Ridlon, Solway, Minnesota

Bacon Cheeseburger Balls

The first time I served these, my husband and kids thought we were having plain meatballs. Then they cut into the flavorful filling inside! —Cathy Lendvoy, Boharm, Saskatchewan

Fried Chicken Strips

I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California

Special Scalloped Corn

Carrots and green pepper make this dish colorful, which grabs attention at a potluck. The corn casserole is also a smart idea for when you need to prepare a dish ahead of time—easy baking is all it takes to finish it up. —J. Brown, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Walnut Balls

Most of my family members don’t eat meat, so I’ve made these appetizers for special occasions ever since a friend shared them with me. The moist bites and tangy sauce are always well received. —Bonnie Young, Desert Hot Springs, California

Saltine Toffee Bark

Everyone loves these salty-sweet treasures—their flavor is simply irresistible. The bark is like brittle, but better. Get ready for a new family favorite! —Laura Cox, Brewster, Massachusetts

Pimiento Cheddar Spread

I was a theater major in college, and our director's mother always made sure we were well fed. I was particularly fond of her pimiento cheese sandwiches and tried making a similar spread for crackers. It tastes just as good as I remember! —Katrina Jameson, Brandon, Mississippi

Mozzarella Meat Loaf

My five kids weren't fans of meat loaf until I "dressed up" the usual recipe with pizza toppings. These days, they eat this hearty dinner with their own families. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

No-Turn Omelet

It's a snap to put together this colorful casserole. I like to make it a day ahead, then refrigerate and bake the next morning. With ingredients such as sausage, eggs, cheese and peppers, it tastes like a strata—except it uses crackers rather than the traditional bread cubes. —Helen Clem Creston, Iowa

Creamy Ranch Mac and Cheese

I came up with the recipe for this creamy and comforting macaroni and cheese with a ranch-flavored twist. My husband requests it often. —Michelle Rotunno, Independence, Missouri

Polynesian Meatballs

With pretty bits of pineapple, these meatballs are sure to attract attention—and the sweet-tart sauce brings people back for seconds. —Carol Wakley, North East, Pennsylvania

Breaded Pork Chops

These traditional pork chops have a wonderful home-cooked flavor like the ones Mom used to make. The breading makes them crispy outside and tender and juicy inside. Why not treat your family to some breaded pork chops tonight? —Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan

Haystack Supper

Served as the main dish at our family reunion buffet, this flavorful layered taco-style dish was a true crowd-pleaser. Folks were pleasantly surprised to find a rice layer, and everyone enjoys the creamy cheese sauce. —Jill Steiner, Hanco*ck, Minnesota

Hearty Salisbury Steaks

I love serving Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. It's the essence of down-home goodness. And it always disappears fast! —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Company Vegetable Casserole

A neighbor passed this recipe on to me. I make the vegetable casserole for family dinners, reunions and potlucks, and the response is almost always the same when people taste it: "Can I have the recipe?" —Leora Clark, Lincoln, Nebraska

Meatball Hash Brown Bake

For a seniors potluck at church, I wanted to create a recipe that would incorporate a meat dish and side dish in one. This casserole proved to be a crowd-pleaser, and many people asked for the recipe. —Joann Fritzler, Belen, New Mexico

Pot Roast Meat Loaf

If your taste buds call for pot roast but your pocketbook insists on ground beef, here's the perfect solution! You save on cleanup, too, since the meat and veggies cook in the same dish. —Magdalene Fiske, La Farge, Wisconsin

Hazel is a writer and editor who has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years in the fields of travel, jewelry arts and food. As the editor of the Taste of Home Christmas Annual (among other titles), she's in the holiday spirit all year round. An enthusiastic baker, she's known for her cookies, cakes and other baked goods. And she still wishes she could cook like her mother.