If You Grew Up in the ’60s These 31 Recipes Will Feel Familiar
Many meals popular during the sixties still hold a special place in memory, tied closely with family gatherings and everyday routines. That feeling comes rushing back the moment these dishes appear.
Each one reflects a practical style of cooking that focuses on simplicity and consistency. Together, they bring back a sense of ease that feels just as welcome today.
Classic Mac & Cheese
Classic Mac & Cheese is a creamy homemade version of the popular stuff in the box! Just like mom used to make, this Macaroni & Cheese has a crunchy topping!
Get the Recipe: Classic Mac & Cheese.
Best Damn Pot Roast Recipe- Slow Cooker
This slow cooker pot roast recipe truly stands out as the best one you’ll ever try! It combines ease, deliciousness, and affordability into one perfect dish that fits into any family’s weekly meal plan. Simply set it in the morning and let the slow cooker work its magic, infusing the roast with deep, robust flavors as it becomes incredibly tender throughout the day.
Get the Recipe: Best Damn Pot Roast Recipe- Slow Cooker.
Salisbury Steak
If you’re craving classic comfort food, this easy Salisbury Steak recipe is the way to go! Perfectly seasoned ground beef patty smothered in mushroom gravy. Can it get any better than that? How about putting it all on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes? This vintage recipe, popular in restaurants and diners for decades, is a soul-warming meal that will be loved by all.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak.
Chicken Meatloaf
This ground chicken meatloaf recipe is a healthy alternative to the classic. This moist and flavorful chicken meatloaf recipe includes aromatics, herbs, spices, and parmesan cheese for a taste you won’t believe.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Meatloaf.
Cheeseburger Casserole
This easy cheeseburger casserole recipe is a guaranteed winner, earning a solid 10/10 from families everywhere. It’s incredibly quick and simple to make, with all the classic flavors of a cheeseburger packed into one comforting dish that everyone at the table will love.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole.
Dutch Oven Pot Roast
Dutch Oven Pot Roast is a simple comfort dish that is perfect for a family dinner. It’s so easy to make and absolutely delicious. You’ll be surprised how such a simple dish can taste so good!
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pot Roast.
Pork Chop and Rice Casserole
Picture this: you’re in desperate need of a comforting, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’ll make your soul feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Well, hold on to your oven mitts because this pork chop and rice casserole recipe is about to swoop in and save the day! With minimal prep time and easy-to-find ingredients, this casserole is a breeze to make! With its perfect blend of tender pork chops, creamy rice, and savory seasonings, all combined in one easy-peasy dish, this casserole is the ultimate solution for those “I don’t wanna cook, but I gotta feed the fam” kind of nights.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chop and Rice Casserole.
Leftover Turkey / Chicken Pot Pies
Absolutely Delicious and Easy! I’ll never buy frozen Pot Pies again! If you don’t have leftover chicken, just use a rotisserie chicken from the grocer! These Leftover Chicken Pot Pies are just what you need to warm yourself up!
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey / Chicken Pot Pies.
Tuna Baked Potatoes
Tuna Baked Potatoes (aka Tuna Stuffed Potatoes) are potato skins stuffed with creamy potato and tuna filling, topped with melty shredded cheddar cheese. It’s like a tuna melt got married to a twice-baked potato.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Baked Potatoes.
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.
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
Braised Lamb Shank
Lamb shanks are an easy and delicious meal perfect for any night of the week, slow-braised in the oven with a rich red wine braising liquid. This method infuses the meat with deep, savory flavors, resulting in tender, fall-off-the-bone shanks that pair beautifully with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Braised Lamb Shank.
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.
Fried Chicken Strips
Fried Chicken Strips are classic comfort food that everyone can agree on! This is my tried and true recipe for the best homemade chicken strips that will beat the drive-thru any day of the week!
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Strips.
Italian Wedding Soup with Escarole
Warm up your soul with a hearty bowl of Italian Wedding Soup with Escarole, a classic dish that’s packed with flavor and comfort. Savory broth, along with homemade meatballs and veggies, makes this soup a true crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup with Escarole.
Venison Roast
With succulent meat and soft, flavorful vegetables, this Venison Roast is the ultimate comfort food for chilly nights. This dish will surely meet your expectations whether made in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or stovetop. Experience the warmth and satisfaction of a hearty dinner with this simple and irresistible recipe.
Get the Recipe: Venison Roast.
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.
Oven Braised Meatball Stew
This classic oven meatball stew is a vintage dish that’s incredibly simple to prepare and absolutely tasty! It’s a full meal served in one pot, combining hearty meatballs with a rich, savory stew. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe offers both ease and flavor, ensuring a satisfying dining experience with minimal cost and cleanup.
Get the recipe: Oven Braised Meatball Stew.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Macaroni Salad With Tuna
This Macaroni Tuna Salad is a great recipe for potlucks. It only takes a few minutes to make, and it 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.
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).
Dutch Oven Chicken Stew
This old-fashioned recipe for Dutch Oven Chicken Stew with potatoes is a bowl of pure comfort. The one-pot classic has juicy chunks of chicken breasts, tender vegetables, and an amazing creamy broth. It’s hearty & filling yet easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Stew.
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.
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.
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.
Apple Cookies
These Apple Cookies are so delicious. They are drop cookies, the easiest cookies you can make. The inside is soft and chewy, and the apples and nuts give them a nice, crispy crunch. Get the Recipe: Apple Cookies.
