33 Recipes From the ’70s That Bring Back Childhood Flavors
The ’70s had a way of showing up at the dinner table with bold flavors and familiar comfort. These dishes tap into memories of family meals, handwritten cards, and kitchens that always felt busy.
This collection leans into classic tastes that feel recognizable and easy. It brings back the kind of food that made everyday dinners feel special without trying hard.
Tuna Mac Salad
This Macaroni Tuna Salad is a great recipe for potlucks. It only takes a few minutes to make, and is loaded with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and dill. Garnish it with hard-boiled eggs, herbs, and edible flowers, like nasturtiums. Get the Recipe: Macaroni Tuna Salad.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
This old-fashioned ham salad is an easy use for leftover ham, not to mention it is totally delicious and nostalgic. A Southern classic recipe made quickly in your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Ham Salad.
Old Fashioned Coffee Cake
Old Fashioned Coffee Cake, topped with brown sugar and cinnamon, is a wonderful treat to enjoy for breakfast or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Coffee Cake.
Fried Chicken
Are you wondering how to make your fried chicken extra crispy? The trick is surprisingly simple, and once you try it, you’ll see just how easy it is to get that perfect crunch. Keep reading to discover our tips for achieving the crispiest fried chicken ever! Get the Recipe: Crispy Fried Chicken.
Old Fashioned Georgia Brunswick Stew
Get ready for a taste of Southern comfort with our Brunswick stew recipe. This hearty, soul-warming dish is a true delight, packed with a medley of tender chicken, smoky pulled pork, and an abundance of vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Georgia Brunswick Stew.
Easy Baked Beans
This Easy 4- Bean Baked Beans Recipe tastes the best of any I have ever had! They are one of the most requested side dishes for summer picnics and potlucks!
Get The Recipe: Easy 4- Bean Baked Beans Recipe.
Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins
These old-fashioned oatmeal cookies with raisins answer your search for delicious and healthy cookies that you and the family can enjoy as a nutritious snack or breakfast treat!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins.
Dill Pasta Salad
This dill pasta salad is a breeze to make and perfect for potlucks and picnics. This fresh salad is packed with tons of fresh flavor.
Get The Recipe: Dill Pasta Salad.
Grandma Hunts Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad
Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad with a sweet and tangy dressing made with simple pantry ingredients. Super easy recipe made in under 10 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad.
Old Fashioned Caramel Cake
This old-fashioned caramel cake recipe features two layers of moist yellow cake coated in a homemade caramel sauce. This classic recipe is just like the one grandma used to make and is perfect for family get-togethers, holidays, and other special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Caramel Cake Recipe.
Bacon Egg Potato Salad
This potato salad with bacon and eggs is incredibly easy. It’s one of my most requested salads for potlucks. Several “secret” ingredients, including fresh herbs, make this recipe a must.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Potato Salad.
Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Coca Cola Cake
This old-fashioned Coca-Cola cake recipe is quite possibly the easiest chocolate cake ever. Coca-Cola is the not-so-secret ingredient in both the chocolatey cake and the fudgy icing, providing the ultimate tender texture and crave-able topping.
Get The Recipe: Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Coca Cola Cake.
Easy Tomato Salad
You’re gonna love my easy tomato salad! It’s all about letting the bright, juicy, and sweet flavor of tomatoes shine through and be the star of the dish.
Get The Recipe: Easy Tomato Salad Recipe.
Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole
Featuring tender egg noodles, creamy sauce, and the satisfying crunch of onions, this Old-Fashioned Tuna Casserole recipe is a quick dinner solution that’s packed with comfort, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole.
Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions
This creamy, bubbly Green Bean Casserole is made with buttery béchamel and sour cream, and topped with crispy onions. Way better than with a can of soup!
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions.
Creamy Old Fashioned Southern Butter Beans
Tender and creamy old fashioned butter beans are a classic Southern comfort dish served as the main attraction or side dish. Making beans from scratch, starting with large lima beans, is easier than you think!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Old Fashioned Southern Butter Beans.
Old Fashioned Pea Salad
This old-fashioned pea salad is the perfect go-to side dish for any camping get-together. If you are having a family potluck, BBQ or tailgating party, bring this crowd-pleasing side dish with you!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pea Salad.
Potato Chip Cookies
You have to try these sweet and salty potato chip cookies—they’re a game-changer! Combining two favorite snacks, these cookies are the perfect mix of sweet and salty, with crunchy potato chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips that make them utterly irresistible. The texture is amazing, with crisp edges and a chewy center, and I promise there won’t be any leftovers! Trust me, this fun twist on a classic cookie (just like grandma’s) will quickly become a favorite in your house!
Get the Recipe: Potato Chip Cookies.
Best Ever Sugar Cookies
The Best Ever Sugar Cookies recipe comes straight from my grandma’s recipe box. These sugar cookies are buttery & delicious with crispy edges!
Get the Recipe: Best Ever Sugar Cookies.
Frog Eye Salad
A creative fruit salad that combines savory acini de pepe pasta, sweet fruit, and a creamy fruit juice custard. A unique treat for all parties or holidays!
Get the Recipe: Frog Eye Salad.
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs
Smoked salmon deviled eggs are a delicious twist on an appetizer classic. They are easy and only take a few minutes to put together.
Get The Recipe: Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs.
Jam Filled Cookies
These vintage Jam Filled Cookies feature a delectable brown sugar cut-out dough that is rich in flavor and perfect for any occasion. Generously filled with a delightful combination of nuts and your favorite jam, these cookies strike a wonderful balance between sweetness and texture. Their simplicity makes them a breeze to prepare, allowing you to whip up a batch in no time. Ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a cozy treat at home, these nostalgic cookies are sure to bring back fond memories and create new ones with every bite!
Get the Recipe: Jam Filled Cookies.
Classic Meatloaf
This Classic Meatloaf, reminiscent of your grandmother’s, features a tangy and sweet BBQ sauce on top and a moist texture throughout.
Get the Recipe: Classic Meatloaf.
Old Fashioned 4 Bean Salad Recipe
This old-fashioned four-bean salad recipe is a bright & fresh side, with chickpeas, kidney beans, green beans, and yellow beans in an easy vinaigrette dressing. Ready in about 20 minutes, this simple salad can be made with pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients. A fantastic salad to entertain with or bring to a potluck or cookout. This bean salad is loaded with crunch in each bite, easy to make, vegetarian, and high in plant-based protein.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned 4 Bean Salad Recipe.
Grandma’s Spaghetti Sauce With Meat
Hearty, meat-filled Spaghetti Sauce Recipe passed down from my grandmother to my dad, and now, to me. Made with simple ingredients, this delicious spaghetti meat sauce is ready in less than an hour and makes perfect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Spaghetti Sauce With Meat
Ham And Beans
Ham and beans is a comforting southern classic, offering a hearty bowl of tender white beans simmered to perfection in a rich, flavorful ham broth. The smoky essence of the ham infuses every bite, making this dish a soul-satisfying favorite that’s as simple as it is delicious, perfect for a cozy meal that warms you from the inside out.
Get the Recipe: Ham And Beans.
Johnny Marzetti (A Midwest Classic)
Loved and adored almost coast to coast, though under different names. It’s the quintessential classic vintage casserole of pasta with beefy tomato sauce and melted cheese. Some call it American Goulash… some American Chop suey… some spice it up, add beans, and call it chili mac. Whatever name you call it, I bet if you are American, you have been fed this by your mom or grandma. Johnny Marzetti, this one is going to take you down memory lane.
Get the Recipe: Johnny Marzetti (A Midwest Classic).
Easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
My easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad recipe is a cool, creamy, crunchy and delicious salad sensation! This broccoli cauliflower salad recipe is a welcome
Get The Recipe: Easy Delicious Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe.
Venison Stew
Enjoy the wild taste of this Venison Stew! It’s a satisfying meal for any gathering. Just brown venison stew meat, combine it with veggies and broth, and let it simmer. You can pick whatever veggies you like in your stews; quantities are optional. It’s a much healthier alternative to beef and tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Venison Stew.
Church Window Cookies
A classic American cookie that’s a no-bake favorite! These pretty-as-a-picture church window cookies only take 15 minutes to prepare and require zero baking time! They are loaded with fudgy chocolate, crunchy, earthy walnuts, and fruity little marshmallows. The chocolate is smooth, rich, and dense, and the texture is incredible, with the crunchy walnuts, coconut flakes, and soft, squishy marshmallows. Honestly, these make the prettiest little cookies that everyone goes crazy for. Most grocery stores stock the ingredients, so these old-fashioned treats are easily accessible.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies.
Pasta With Peas And Ham
Pasta with peas and ham is a classic Italian dish that combines the savory flavors of ham with the sweetness of peas and the comfort of pasta. This simple and satisfying recipe is easy to make and perfect for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner. Garnish it with chopped, fresh basil leaves.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Peas and ham.
Ham And Cheese Pinwheels
Ham and cheese pinwheels are a classic sandwich that are so easy to make and are perfect for lunch, brunch, showers, and game days!
Get The Recipe: Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches.
Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak
This Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak Recipe is an easy skillet dinner made with ground beef, bread crumbs and flavorful spices in a rich mushroom gravy!
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak.
