If you grew up with potluck dinners, family casseroles, and dessert tables filled with gelatin molds and Bundt cakes, these retro recipes will bring back memories. We’ve gathered an assortment of appetizers, dinner, and dessert recipes that were popular in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, or recipes that put a twist on the retro recipe. We’re talking homemade sloppy joes, Swedish meatballs, green bean casserole, tapioca pudding, pineapple upside down cake, Watergate salad, cheese fondue, beef stroganoff, Jell-O salad, tuna noodle casserole, and more. They were recipes that were shared on index cards at every gathering because they were easy, dependable, and satisfying. If you’re discovering these retro recipes for the first time, which one do you plan on making?
Family Favorite Swiss Steak With Tomato Gravy
“Having come from a large family, we thrived on comfort foods growing up. My mother was a great cook and could take the cheapest cut of meat and turn it into something tasty and filling. Over my 40-plus years of marriage, I’ve cooked many of her old recipes, tweaking them along the way. Mom’s Swiss Steak was one of the most satisfying meals, and there were never leftovers when she cooked it!” – Julie
Easy and Tasty Salisbury Steak With Gravy
“This is very good and so easy to make. The flavor just blends in so nicely. It is good as it looks… yummo!” – Brenda-Lee
Mild Cheese Fondue
“A nice mild cheese for those not into getting into the unknown (stronger) cheeses that you may find in fondue. A nice blend of cheese that you can dip bread, potatoes or veggies into.” – Barbara
Sloppy Joes
“My mom has made this for years and it is a family favorite.” – Shannon
Mama’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
“With 6 kids and a busy household to run, this was one of my Mama’s signature desserts and one of our family’s favorites. She made it so many times, I think it belonged to her and Duncan Hines! There are other versions that use a white or yellow cake mix, but it wouldn’t be the same for me without the pineapple cake inside.” – Melissa
Grandpa Ray’s Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
“This recipe was handed down to me from my Grandpa Ray. He was the true cook of the family, and most of everything I learned came from him. When I started my first home, he was who I called each time I wanted to know how to cook something. This recipe is always served at my Christmas Eve gathering.” – Pattie
Cottage Cheese Jell-o Salad
“Wow, talk about an easy salad to make this is it! Now, my Grammie didn’t have a name for this recipe so I just gave it a name. I remember eating this Jell-o when I was a kid. I love that it has cottage cheese in it. It is light, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet. It would be great to be served at Easter time or any holiday with the flavor of Jell-o you love.” – Kim
Mom’s Swedish Meatballs
“This recipe calls for consomme, which has a stronger flavor than regular beef broth. If you cannot find consomme, beef broth may be substituted. It will still taste great. Mom’s original recipe calls for dried parsley, too. Occasionally, when I make this recipe, I add a pinch of rubbed sage. It really is a simple recipe, but the taste cannot be beat.” – Marybeth
Watergate Salad
“Watergate salad is a fluff made with pistachio pudding, whipped topping, and packed with pecans, pineapples, and marshmallows.” – Debbie
Chicken Waldorf Salad
“My husband and I both love this as a main dish salad. What could be easier, especially on a busy day or a hot day!” – Marlene
Black Forest Cake – My Way
“I have always had a love for the Black Forest Cake, but as I tried it many times through the years, it just wasn’t quite hitting that scrumptious point. I knew by deconstructing the cake, I could make the best Black Forest Cake by using my own recipes for the components of this famous cake. And, I did. It’s luscious, decadent, and, most importantly, memorable.” – Nancy
Grandma’s Beef Stroganoff
“A long-time family favorite! This was my grandma’s recipe, and was passed down to my mom and then to me. This dish is so full of flavor and fantastically filling. My 4 and 5 year old love this dish too!” – Jennifer
Kitty’s Chinese Casserole
“Decades ago a recipe for this casserole was passed around the neighborhood and everyone on our street loved it. I lost the recipe and just recently spent some time making up this new one. If I could ever find the original I think mine would still make the grade. It passed the husband test and the brother in law test!” – Katrina
Tuna Noodle Casserole
“This is a quick and easy casserole to make for a weeknight dinner. Serve with a salad and you’re all set!” – Marianne
No-Bake Peanut Butter Chow Mein Noodle Cookies
“This is the first cookie recipe I learned from watching my mother make and the first one I taught my kids. Now my son Fernando makes it several times a year, and it’s a big hit where he works. This is a fun recipe a child can make. Add or delete items as you like. Fun to make fun to eat.” – Deborah
Seven Layer Taco Dip
“Our family are fans of the Cincinnati Bengals. This is a good take-along for tailgate parties.” – Judy
Monkey Bread
“This is a fun treat to make and eat! My mom used to make this for me when I was a kid. It would be a special treat when she made it. I love making it now for Thanksgiving morning.” – Shauna
Holiday Cheese Ball
“This recipe comes from my husband’s side of the family. I had to ask for the recipe because eating it only once a year was just not cutting it.” – Laura
Jell-O Fat-Free Fruit Salad
“When I needed to lose weight and add better things to my health, I came up with this. I eat it almost every night or just for lunch!” – Diana
Cranberry Meatballs
“Back in the ’60s, our gas company put on what they called their Holiday Cooking show. This is adapted from one of those shows. We tried it that holiday season and it’s been on our tables ever since. This is one of those recipes that became a tradition.” – Vivian
Vanilla Bean Tapioca Pudding in the Slow Cooker
“Start this before you start dinner, and by the time everyone is done eating, you have a warm, scrumptious dessert ready.” – Linda
Pistachio Ambrosia Cupcakes
“We love a fresh bowl of Ambrosia Fruit Salad at picnics during the summer months. I remember it well when my mother used to make it. All of us kids would just eat it all up. The other day I had some at a party. I had the thought… Wonder how this would taste on a cupcake? Awsome! Need I say more?” – Linda
The Very Best Crab Dip Mold
“Our family has been making this for years, and it is the best I’ve ever had. It is so delicious… You won’t be able to stop eating it. I want this for my last supper!” – Maggie
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
“Holidays just aren’t the same without green bean casserole. My family loves the extra ‘umph’ the added mushrooms and cheese provide!” – Jennifer
Southern Deviled Eggs
“My grandma taught my mom how to make these when she was just a girl. I never cease getting raves about these deviled eggs, no matter where I take them. Nothing new wave about this recipe, nothing fancy. Just full of flavor and so good!” – Barbara
Mary’s Mmmmm Meatloaf
“This is the best meatloaf; I hope you agree. You can spice it up with green chilies or chopped jalapeno. I usually double the recipe and put one (uncooked) in the freezer for later.” – Mary
Cream Cheese Shrimp Cocktail Appetizers
“This recipe has a bit of hotness to it, but it will surely be a big hit at your party. Tiny salad shrimp can be used also in this recipe. If you don’t like it hot, use your favorite horseradish and omit the hot sauce.” – Mary
John Murphy’s Clam Puffs
“This is another wonderful old recipe from my two uncles who lived in that great old Victorian house with the wood stove and that wonderful marble slab in the kitchen. I remember John would make these on a rainy day, serving them in the living room in front of a crackling fire in the fireplace with wonderful wine, while Mozart or Aida played on the stereo. They are so good. It’s a quick and easy recipe.” – Bonnie
Hamburger SOS
“This easy-to-make dish comes from Depression cooking, where a little meat could be stretched to feed and fill up a lot of people, and from the United States military, for the same reason.” – Fran
Texas Mud
“This was a favorite of my Beta Sigma Phi chapter in the 1960s. Not one member left that group without a copy of this recipe. Thanks, Rita Perry!” – MiMi
Good Ol’ Goulash
“This recipe is not only good on the first day, but it is better on the second day. It is budget-friendly and freezes well.” – Callie
Skinny Pizza Rolls
“I love to create healthy alternatives to the most craved foods.” – Katie
Butterscotch Haystacks
“Another holiday favorite that my grannie and mom have made ever since I can remember. You can adjust this and use small pretzel sticks with milk chocolate and almonds, or other combos you can think of. The butterscotch seems to melt in your mouth.” – Traci
Chicken Tetrazzini
“This is a family favorite that has been around for a long time. I’ve changed this and that and added a few things. It seems like each time I make it, I change something else. I usually double it so there are leftovers as it’s always better the next day. It is quite versatile.” – Anna Mae