50 old-fashioned dishes from the 1950's that you'll love making today

Let’s face it – nobody cooks better than Grandma.

And chances are, your grandma learned all her tricks from her grandma. And so on and so forth. There is a reason that these recipes stand the test of time. Because they’re that delicious! We’ve compiled some of the best retro, vintage, and old-fashioned recipes for you.

Here are 50 of the tastiest old-fashioned recipes from the 50s that are just as delicious as ever.

Just like they say: if it’s not broke, why fix it?

1) Homemade biscuits and gravy

Biscuits and gravy have been a breakfast staple in the South for as long as we can remember. And when they’re homemade? They’re out-of-control delicious. Find out how to make your own by following the recipe here.

2) Chicken noodle casserole

This dish is a family favorite. It’s comforting, it’s cheesy, it’s creamy, what’s not to love? Not to mention – it’s incredibly easy to make. Make this casserole for dinner tonight! You can find the recipe here.

Life in the Lofthouse
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Life in the Lofthouse

3) Lasagna

If you happen to have an Italian family, then you know that lasagna is always a staple in the household. It’s a great dish to make for large groups and the leftovers taste even better the next day. Here’s a yummy recipe.

4) Stuffed tomatoes

Stuffed tomatoes are hearty, delicious, and jam-packed with flavor. But no one seems to make them anymore! Bring back this tasty recipe by cooking it for your family on a chilly fall or winter evening. Here’s a recipe you can follow.

5) Waldorf salad

“This crunchy salad is a perfect side to accompany a heavy meal. With it’s light and crisp flavors, it’ll be the hit of the party,” Susan R Falk, Eastpointe, Michigan told Taste of Home. This is perfect for a summer barbecue! Here’s the recipe.

6) Cauliflower casserole

Here’s another casserole dish that will get your entire family eating their veggies. Well – it might have something to do with the fact that it’s covered in cheese, but who’s complaining? Find out how to make it here.

7) Stuffing

Most people only make stuffing when Thanksgiving comes around. Why is that? It’s one of the tastiest old-fashioned side dishes of all time. We say incorporate this yummy dish into your weekly dinners. Here’s a great recipe for stuffing.

8) Meatloaf

Meatloaf has been a family classic for generations. Served with some veggies and mashed potatoes, it’s a yummy well-rounded meal for the family. Here’s a delicious recipe you can make for dinner tonight.

9) Scalloped potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are a real crowd-pleaser because who doesn’t love potatoes, cheese, and cream together? You’d be a crazy person! Here’s a super easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for your next dinner party.

10) Corned beef hash

You might order corned beef hash at a roadside diner but why not make it at home? This hearty breakfast has been around for decades and for good reason – it’s delicious. Here’s the recipe.

11) Beef stew

“Out of all my beef stew meat recipes, this one is my favorite. Here’s a good old-fashioned easy beef stew recipe with rich beef gravy that lets the flavor of the potatoes and carrots come through. This is the perfect hearty dish for a blustery winter day,” Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma told Taste of Home. Here’s the full recipe.

12) Pot roast

Another dinner classic that involves beef is a slow-cooked pot roast. When it’s done correctly, it just melts in your mouth. It’s no wonder this recipe has been around for years. Make it for yourself by following this recipe.

13) Chicken pot pie

You can’t talk about delicious old-fashioned recipes without talking about chicken pot pie. You can use chicken or even leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Here’s a recipe you can try this week for dinner.

14) Beef stroganoff

Beef stroganoff is an old-fashioned recipe that is just about as tasty as it gets. You can make a large batch and fill your entire family’s bellies. Here’s how you make it.

15) Chicken wild rice casserole

Casseroles were popular back in the day. It was an easy way to cook one full meal in one dish for a large group of people. Plus, they make great leftovers. Here’s a classic recipe that is simple, easy, and so tasty. Here’s how to make it.

Lauren's Latest
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Lauren's Latest

16) Chicken corn chowder

Soups and chowders are also staples from the past that are here to stay. Chicken corn chowder is one of the oldest, tried-and-true recipes out there. And kids love it! You can find the full recipe here.

17) Sloppy joes

“This classic all-American favorite tastes so much better when made with your own fresh ingredients. Our Homestyle Sloppy Joes are sink-your-teeth-into-’em good!” says Mr. Food. Here’s the recipe.

18) Three-cheese fondue

Fondue has been around for ages, originating in France. It became popular in the U.S. in the 50s and 60s and we think more people should be eating fondue at home. Get yourself a fondue kit and make this recipe. It’s actually really easy!

19) Maple-glazed ham

People pay good money for a glazed ham during the holidays, when really, you can be making it at home. This time-honored dish is sweet, savory, and so yummy. Get the recipe here.

20) Salisbury steak

Salisbury steaks are another dish that you’ll find on items at diners across the U.S. and that’s because it’s a true staple of the 1950s. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans and you have a classically retro meal. Here’s the recipe.

The Spruce Eats
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The Spruce Eats

21) Oysters Rockefeller

Delicious, simple, and made popular in the 50s. Oysters Rockefeller are so yummy even people who don’t like oysters like them! Find the full full recipe here.

22) Shrimp-stuffed flounder

“This elegant party dish has a bite, thanks to Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of cayenne. To make sure your fish rolls look picture-perfect, choose fish fillets that are uniform in size and thickness,” says Reader’s Digest.

23) Patty melt

If there’s anything that screams retro lunch plate – it’s a patty melt. It’s like everyone just discovered that if you cover everything in cheese, it’s delicious! Here’s an easy-to-follow recipe for this classic dish.

24) Dutch baby

The Dutch baby or ‘puff pancake’ became popular in the Depression, however, it’s been an old-fashioned breakfast staple ever since. Be patient! It takes a bit of time to cook, but it’s totally worth it. Here’s the recipe.

25) Crown roast of pork

Here’s a retro favorite that always wows guests but is actually incredibly easy to make. Impress your guests next time they come over and follow this simple recipe.

26) Stuffed cabbage

“If you’re looking to spend a cozy night indoors with a meal that’ll fill your belly with old world comfort, then you’ll love our Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage. Hearty ground beef, tomato sauce, and rice make this a dinner recipe you’ll love coming to the table for,” says Mr. Food. Make your own by following this recipe.

Pressure Cooking Today
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Pressure Cooking Today

27) Sausage-stuffed zucchini

This classic recipe is another great way to get your family to eat their vegetables. It can either be served as a side or as the main dish, you can even make it vegetarian if you’d like! Here’s a recipe (with meat).

28) Shrimp scampi

Simple and delicious. There’s no need to complicate things with pasta and that’s exactly how shrimp scampi keeps things. Fresh, zesty, and buttery, it’s just straight yummy! Here’s how to make it.

29) Roast beef

“Old-Fashioned Roast Beef is great! This old-fashioned dinner recipe can be dressed up for company or served as a casual weeknight supper. Whether it’s a special day or any day, this’ll be one of your go-to recipes,” says Mr. Food. Here is the recipe to follow.

30) Creamed spinach

Creamed spinach is a vintage favorite and was popularized as a side dish for prime rib. Although, we say it can go with just about anything! You can find the recipe here.

31) Potato salad

Here’s another side dish that has been seen at barbecues, picnics, and family dinners for decades. And there are so many ways you can make it! Here is one of our favorite recipes.

32) Tuna noodle casserole

This family favorite isn’t just delicious and easy to make, but it’s also perfect for families and households that are on a budget. It’s so yummy you’ll definitely reach for seconds. Here’s a recipe for you.

33) Chicken a la king

“When I know I’ll be having a busy day with little time for cooking, I prepare this tasty main dish. Brimming with tender chicken and colorful vegetables, it smells so good while cooking,” Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington told Taste of Home.

34) Banana pudding

Here’s a vintage dessert that deserves more attention. It’s so simple to make, it’s so creamy and sweet, and it has so many fun textures! Here’s how to make it tonight for a special treat.

35) Goulash

“This saucy one-pot meal earns points for long-cooked flavor without a lot of long prep. Old World Goulash is a hearty all-in-one dish that will warm and satisfy your hungry gang,” says Mr. Food.

36) Ambrosia salad

We know what you’re thinking. Marshmallows in a salad? And is this really even a salad? Look. We don’t have all the answer for you, we just know this is a dish that grandma used ot make and it’s super yummy. Here’s how to make it.

37) Beef wellington

When you went to a fancy dinner party in the 50s, they were probably going to serve beef wellington to impress their guests. And it’s still an impressive dish to this day! It’s less intimidating to make than you think. Here’s how to make it.

38) Pork chops and pierogi

Pork chops and pierogis were meant to be together and this dish makes it happen. It’s filling and it’s a dish that everyone in your family will love. Check out the recipe here.

39) Turkey tetrazzini

“Filled with family-friendly flavors, a pleasant peppery kick and a creamy from-scratch sauce, this hearty dish is just the kind of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food you’re looking for. —Emma Hathway Price, Tampa, Florida told Taste of Home. Find the full recipe here.

40) Red cabbage

Back in the 50s, we were still using and incorporating foods and ingredients that our grandparents brought over from overseas. So, you’d often find side dishes, like this one from Germany, during family dinners. Here’s how to make it.

41) Wedge salad

When we made the wedge salad, it took off like wild fire everywhere! Who knew a wedge of iceberg could become so popular? But, really – who doesn’t love blue cheese and bacon? Here’s how to make this simple starter.

Cooking Clarified
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Cooking Clarified

42) Meatballs

Recipes back in the day were kept simple because they let the ingredients speak for themselves. Meatballs, for example! All you need are just a few simple ingredients for a tasty dish. You can find a recipe here.

43) Cheddar broccoli casserole

“People who don’t even usually like broccoli casserole beg me to make this comforting broccoli cheese casserole recipe. It’s similar to a classic green bean casserole, but the melted cheese just puts it over the top,” Elaine Hubbard, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania shared with Taste of Home. Here’s the recipe.

44) Pea soup

Pea soup is great because it requires just a few ingredients and you can cook a large batch to feed a big group of people or have enough for the week. Check out this pea soup recipe here.

45) Spaghetti pie casserole

Here’s another casserole comin’ at ya! Spaghetti pie casserole is the epitome of comfort food and it packs a huge punch of flavor. Make it tonight with this recipe.

Eating on a Dime
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Eating on a Dime

46) Steak Diane

This is another dish that is sure to impress your family and dinner guests without much work on your part. Prepare it the next time you have people over by following this recipe.

47) Scrapple

“Head into any supermarket in Pennsylvania Dutch country, and you’re sure to find this breakfast side dish classic. Our Amish Scrapple can be prepared a day ahead and fried up when you’re craving something hearty and flavorful,” says Mr. Food.

Loaves and Dishes
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Loaves and Dishes

48) Shepherd’s pie

Shepherd’s pie is the perfect one-dish meal for a cozy night inside. It’s has everything you need – protein, veggies, and carbs. Perfect! Here’s an easy recipe for you.

49) Chicken cordon bleu

This old-fashioned French dish is still just as delicious as ever and we don’t know why more people aren’t making it at home. It’s so easy! Check out this recipe for proof.

Make Your Meals
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Make Your Meals

50) Tri-color pasta salad

Back in the 50s, you were sure to see tri-colored pasta salad at every picnic or summer gathering. And it’s still yummy today! Bring it to your next party and follow this recipe.

Wishes n Dishes
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Wishes n Dishes

Just because the recipes are dated, doesn’t mean they’re not still delicious! Keep these classic dishes going and make a few of them this week for dinner!

Source: Taste of Home