19 1970s Recipes Our Grandparents Grew Up Eating and Still Craved

The best 1970s recipes weren’t trying to be trendy, they were trying to get everyone fed and happy. They leaned on casseroles, creamy bakes, simple meats, and a few sweet treats that always felt like a reward. I love how these dishes still work today because they’re filling, familiar, and never too precious to serve on a regular night. Here are 19 throwback favorites that still taste like the kind of comfort people remember.

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole bakes into a creamy, cheesy dinner with crispy potato edges and tender chicken throughout. It takes about 55 minutes, making it perfect when you want the oven to handle dinner. The main ingredients include chicken, hash browns, sour cream, and shredded cheese. It tastes rich, savory, and comforting with that classic casserole bite people love.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Pillsbury Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Pillsbury Chicken Pot Pie Casserole gives you that familiar pot pie flavor in an easy bake with a buttery topping. It takes about 45 minutes, and it’s the kind of dinner that feels like it takes care of everyone. The main ingredients include chicken, mixed vegetables, a creamy sauce, and Pillsbury dough. It tastes rich, savory, and cozy with a golden crust-like finish.
Get the Recipe: Pillsbury Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms brings tender beef patties in a savory mushroom gravy that tastes like an old-school diner dinner. It takes about 30 minutes, so it’s fast enough for weeknights without feeling basic. The main ingredients include ground beef, mushrooms, onion, and a rich sauce or gravy. It tastes beefy, savory, and comforting with a sauce that’s perfect over mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Stuffed Baked Potatoes make dinner feel hearty and filling with a warm potato base loaded with satisfying toppings. They take about 1 hour, but most of that time is hands-off while the potatoes bake. The main ingredients include large potatoes, cheese, butter, and optional fillings like bacon or veggies. They taste creamy, rich, and comforting with crispy potato skins and a soft center.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe With Ripples Chips

Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe With Ripples Chips delivers creamy noodles and tuna under a crunchy chip topping that everyone remembers. It takes about 45 minutes, making it an easy dinner with serious throwback energy. The main ingredients include tuna, egg noodles, a creamy sauce, and Ripples chips. It tastes salty, creamy, and cozy with a crisp topping that adds the best texture.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe With Ripples Chips

Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice is the kind of meal you start early and forget about until dinner is ready. It takes about 4 hours, and it comes out tender, creamy, and filling every time. The main ingredients include chicken, rice, broth, and simple seasonings. It tastes mild, savory, and comforting in a steady, dependable way.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup!)

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup!) bakes into a soft, creamy vegetable side that eats like a full comfort dinner. It takes about 1 hour, and it’s a great way to make cabbage feel like something people actually want. The main ingredients include cabbage, cheese, butter, and crackers for the topping. It tastes savory, rich, and cozy with a crunchy, buttery finish on top.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup!)

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie layers savory meat and vegetables under a thick blanket of mashed potatoes for a dinner that always satisfies. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but it’s worth it for a meal that feeds everyone well. The main ingredients include ground meat, carrots, peas, gravy, and mashed potatoes. It tastes hearty, savory, and comforting with creamy potatoes and rich filling in every scoop.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers give you a full dinner in one neat package, with tender peppers and a savory filling. They take about 55 minutes, making them a great oven meal that doesn’t need much on the side. The main ingredients include bell peppers, ground turkey, rice, and tomato sauce with seasoning. They taste savory, slightly sweet, and comforting with a soft baked texture.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti is creamy, cheesy, and built for feeding a family without juggling multiple pots. It takes about 4 hours, and it holds up well for leftovers that reheat easily. The main ingredients include chicken, spaghetti, cheese, and a creamy sauce base. It tastes rich, savory, and nostalgic in that classic potluck-style way.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole bakes into a creamy, hearty dinner with tender chicken and onion flavor throughout. It takes about 1 hour, making it a dependable oven meal when the week feels busy. The main ingredients include chicken, rice, onion seasoning, and cheese. It tastes savory, rich, and cozy with a slightly sweet onion finish.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast

Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast turns basic chicken into a filling dinner with a cheesy vegetable center. It takes about 40 minutes, so it works for weeknights while still feeling like a change from the usual. The main ingredients include chicken breasts, broccoli, cheddar cheese, and simple seasoning. It tastes savory, creamy, and comforting with a melty, satisfying middle.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breast

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole bakes into a creamy, soft vegetable side that still feels filling enough to count as dinner. It takes about 45 minutes, and it’s a great way to use up zucchini without it feeling boring. The main ingredients include zucchini, cheese, eggs, and a buttery topping. It tastes mild, rich, and savory with a golden baked top.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Shake and Bake Pork Chops give you crispy-coated pork with classic weeknight flavor and almost no fuss. They take about 30 minutes, making them a fast dinner that still feels like a real throwback. The main ingredients include pork chops, seasoned coating mix, and a little oil or butter. They taste savory, crunchy, and juicy with that familiar baked crust people grew up on.
Get the Recipe: Shake and Bake Pork Chops

Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Green Bean Hamburger Casserole brings ground beef, green beans, and a creamy, cheesy bake into one hearty dish. It takes about 45 minutes, making it easy enough for weeknights and filling enough for big appetites. The main ingredients include ground beef, green beans, cheese, and a creamy sauce base. It tastes savory, rich, and comforting with a soft casserole texture.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole with Minute Rice

Chicken and Rice Casserole with Minute Rice delivers a cozy baked dinner with tender chicken and fluffy rice in every scoop. It takes about 45 minutes, which makes it a reliable meal when you need something quick but filling. The main ingredients include chicken, Minute Rice, broth, and a creamy base. It tastes savory, mild, and comforting with classic casserole warmth.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole with Minute Rice

Easy Chilli Con Carne

Easy Chilli Con Carne gives you a hearty bowl of beefy comfort that works for dinner and leftovers. It takes about 45 minutes, making it fast enough for weeknights but still packed with flavor. The main ingredients include ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and chili spices. It tastes bold, savory, and warming with just enough heat to keep it interesting.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chilli Con Carne

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake brings that classic 1970s dessert comfort with warm spice, sweet carrots, and rich frosting. It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and it’s a perfect bake for birthdays or potluck-style gatherings. The main ingredients include carrots, flour, cinnamon, and cream cheese frosting. It tastes sweet, warmly spiced, and moist with a thick, creamy topping.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a classic baked dish with a creamy egg filling and savory flavor that works for breakfast or dinner. It takes about 55 minutes, and it slices cleanly for easy serving. The main ingredients include eggs, bacon, cheese, and cream in a pie crust. It tastes rich, savory, and comforting with a soft custardy center and a buttery crust.
Get the Recipe: Quiche Lorraine