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Everything old is new again. As is always the case, when the pendulum swings, it returns to where it came from, and it is no different with food fads. After several years of food trends focused on eliminating things from our diets, with gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, no-carb, low-carb, vegan, Keto, Paleo, and the like—traditional comfort foods are back with a vengeance. And we are here for all of it! So, if you want to get your 1950s or 1960s on, and do a classic old-school diner dinner, check out some of our favorite retro recipes.
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Bacon Wrapped Smokies
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Even if entertaining is on pause, cocktail hour is not, and snacks that go well with drinks are just as fun for one or two as for a crowd. Bacon wrapped smokies are consistently one of the most popular appetizers, and for good reason!
Cheese Fondue
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Bust that old fondue pot out of the garage storage and fire it up! Cheese fondue isn’t just a perfect appetizer, if you add some fun dippers like chunks of sausage, meatballs, baby potatoes and veggies, it can be a whole meal.
Chef John’s Green Goddess Dressing
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Sure, salad always has a place on the nostalgia train. Give your vinaigrette a pass for the moment and try this fresh Green Goddess dressing instead. Perfect on a wedge or the tossed greens of your choice.
Best Tuna Casserole
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
No trip down memory lane of old-time treats would be complete without a tuna noodle casserole. This one might even convert the haters.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Jason Donnelly / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali
“I made this as written, except I had no cherries and I used pineapple chunks instead of rings. Didn’t need the cherries. . This cake was light, sweet and delicious! The cast iron skillet worked perfectly. Highly recommend!” —Dee Lemmon
Mom’s Fabulous Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Crust
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Nothing says soul soothing homey dinner like a good chicken pot pie. This version with biscuits means no fussing with pie crust!
Chef John’s Stuffed Peppers
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Back in the day, when Wednesday was still Prince Spaghetti Day, and folks often ate the same dishes week after week, stuffed peppers were a must. If you make a double batch, you can chop up the leftovers and panfry with eggs for a Western hash to serve for breakfast.
G.G.’s Chocolate Sheet Cake
Sheet cakes might be a bit more homely than their fussy layered cousins, but there is something to be said for having a basic simple cake on hand that can serve as an afternoon pick-me-up or dessert with no muss. This chocolate sheet cake is just the thing to have on your countertop all week long.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Meatloaf is a must in any time traveling repertoire, and glazing it with brown sugar and ketchup makes it extra special.
Seven Layer Gelatin Salad
Allrecipes / Abbey Littlejohn
You might think that gelatin molds are passé, but I defy you to bring this layered rainbow jiggler to the table and not have spontaneous applause break out. Even better? It is a really fun and time-consuming rainy-day project for bored kids.
Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes
There may be no more retro way to cook a potato than these decadent twice-baked beauties. No matter what your protein, these make any dinner feel like a special event.
Cheesy Creamed Spinach
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
You still need to get some vegetables in, and especially if you have picky kids at home who think they don’t like spinach, creamy cheesy sauce will be the cure. A great creamed spinach is always a treat, and this one will be your new go-to side dish, even if you aren’t revisiting the past.
Triple-Dipped Fried Chicken
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“A thumbs up from the family! I had a very large chicken so I heavy brined for 24 hrs then steamed it in my IP for 8 mins, quick release then did the dipping. Turned out great, for those who don’t follow measurements your crust will be not as expected. This is excellent!!” —Jan
Maple Glazed Carrots
The Spruce Eats/Anastasiia Tretiak
Nothing wrong with the old standby of peas and carrots as a vegetable side, but if you want to up your game a bit, try these easy glazed carrots for a side dish that has its roots in the classic, but adds a modern twist of orange marmalade to the mix.
Chef John’s Chicken Kiev
Not all old-fashioned recipes are casual, and if you want to take on a kitchen challenge that is totally worth the time and effort, chicken Kiev is evocative of the fanciest of period dinner party fare. Plus, stuffing breaded chicken breasts with herbed butter is never a bad idea.
Grandma’s Hamburger Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“My grandmother’s hamburger casserole is classic comfort food! Featuring ground beef, noodles, and a creamy cheese sauce, this simple recipe dates back to the 1940’s. You can tweak the amount of cheese and sour cream depending on what you’ve got in the fridge — it’ll still turn out great!” — LaDonna Langwell
Individual Beef Wellingtons
Photographer: Jake Sternquist / Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Need a little bit of extra-special for a milestone dinner that is evocative of times gone by? These adorable individual beef Wellingtons are easier than you might think. They also freeze well, so make a bunch to stash in your chiller for fancy at your fingertips.
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople
Dotdash-Meredith Food Studios
“This amazing apple pie recipe belonged to my grandmother. I have never seen another one quite like it! It will always be my favorite and has won several first place prizes in local competitions. It makes the perfect dessert for family dinners or during the holidays.” —MOSHASMAMA
