These retro dinner recipes will make you feel nostalgic for the 1970s, back to a time when all you needed to worry about was being home before dark (on your banana seat bicycle).
24 Meals We Miss from Our ’70s Dinner Table
Updated on May 02, 2024
Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama
1/24
2/24
Pasta Primavera
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pasta dish is a wonderful blend of crisp, colorful vegetables and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 275 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable.
3/24
Easy Chow Mein
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Some years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this easy Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without noodles): 361 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 897mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
4/24
Chuck Wagon Tortilla Stack
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I make this skillet specialty on those night when I'm craving southwestern fare. It's easy to cut and remove the pieces from the pan. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 539 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1383mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 9g fiber), 30g protein.
5/24
Pepper Steak
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We live on the eastern edge of the Sand Hills here in Nebraska, where most folks are ranchers. This popular pepper steak recipe is tasty as well as colorful. —Carolyn Butterfield, Atkinson, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 365 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 32g protein.
6/24
Creamy Scallop Crepes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These savory crepes feel so elegant for the holidays. I like to add a fourth teaspoon of fresh dill weed to the crepe batter. —Doreen Kelly, Hatboro, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
2 crepes: 331 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat.
7/24
Tender Steak Fajitas
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The beef comes out tender, juicy and flavorful in the slow cooker when I make these tempting fajitas, notes Twila Burkholder, Middleburg, Pennsylvania. I like to serve them with a side of Spanish rice.
Nutrition Facts:
1 fajita: 340 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 549mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.
8/24
Hawaiian Pork Chops
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking for a great last-minute meal when friends drop in? Hampton, Virginia's Michelle Cavalier recommends one of her husband's sweet-and-sour favorites. “This is so easy, tastes just like Hawaiian pizza, and I usually have all ingredients on hand.”
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 3/4 cup sauce: 250 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 554mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat.
9/24
Stuffed Peppers for Four
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Truly a meal in one, this quick supper has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers. It’ll look so pretty on your table. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 448 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 734mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 30g protein.
10/24
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to lighten my mother-in-law's wonderful recipe and came up with this tasty beef Stroganoff. In our home, we call it special noodles. —Jennifer Riordan, St. Louis, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup beef mixture with 3/4 cup noodles: 333 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 329mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
11/24
Turkey Scallopini with Marsala Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family requests this entree at least once a month. The slightly sweet Marsala sauce is yummy over the turkey slices and hot cooked noodles. —Briana Knight, Ferndale, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without linguine): 459 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
12/24
Turkey a la King with Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It's a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups turkey mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 350 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 594mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
13/24
Santa Fe Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a mother who works full-time, I’m always looking for quick, easy meals to prepare. This is a timeless recipe. —Lorie VanHorn, Waddell, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 287 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 1061mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
14/24
Cassoulet for Today
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 394 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
15/24
Chicken Caesar Florentine
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I adapted this dish from my favorite chicken Caesar salad recipe. It has many of the same ingredients as the salad: croutons, grated Parmesan, chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing. This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed chicken breast half: 553 calories, 32g fat (9g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 1109mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 48g protein.
16/24
Tangy Tropical Chicken
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In this colorful dish, exotic fruits such as mango and pineapple beautifully complement the chicken and lend a pleasant hint of sweetness that’s balanced by a bit of soy sauce. —Christina Aho, Naples, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 299 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
17/24
Slow-Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe simplifies our busy lives and lets us celebrate family time with a hearty meal that is on the table fast. — Donna Harp, Cincinnati, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 590 calories, 37g fat (13g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 1285mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein.
18/24
Stovetop Goulash
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe after trying goulash at a local restaurant. The blend of spices gives it fabulous flavor, and it’s so easy to make on a weeknight! —Karen Schelert, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups goulash with 1 cup potatoes: 605 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 8g fiber), 28g protein.
19/24
Salisbury Steak
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Finding the best Salisbury steak recipe is hard! I remember enjoying it often when I was growing up, but when I decided to add it to my recipe collection, I wasn't able to find it in my modern cookbooks. I came up with these ingredients on my own and experimented until it tasted like the dish I remembered. —Faye Hintz, Springfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 steak: 581 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 250mg cholesterol, 1960mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein.
20/24
Frito Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and fabulously cheesy. Here’s my take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 718 calories, 40g fat (14g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 1719mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein.
21/24
Salmon Patty Sauce
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings (3/4 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
These cute little patties are a great way to get my whole family to enjoy salmon, even my toddler! And I love the fresh flavor the lemon and dill add. —Brandi Murphy, McMinnville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
2 salmon patties with 1 tablespoon sauce: 434 calories, 34g fat (6g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 676mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
22/24
Grilled Ribeye with Garlic Blue Cheese Mustard Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple steak gets a big flavor boost from two of my favorites: mustard and blue cheese. My husband and I make this recipe to celebrate our anniversary each year! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 steak with 3 tablespoons sauce: 547 calories, 39g fat (17g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 1088mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
23/24
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Some recipes for chicken paprikash include vegetables like bell peppers and celery, but not my Grandmother Alta’s. Hers was a simple combination of chicken, onions, garlic, paprika and sour cream. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 422 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 596mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 40g protein.
24/24
Weekday Chicken Cacciatore
Total Time
4 hours 30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chicken cooked “cacciatore” means a dish prepared “hunter-style” with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and seasonings. We add a touch of white wine to make ours northern Italian-style. —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken leg quarter with 1-1/3 cups sauce: 391 calories, 23g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 849mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein.
