25 Retro Dinner Recipes from the 60s

Published: Sep 25, 2025 by Jessica @ TMG · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

If you ask me, the 1960s were the golden age of cozy casseroles, saucy skillet dinners, and meals made with love (and a can of cream soup). Growing up in the 70s, my mom and grandma always had a rotating menu of comforting dishes that started simmering by 4 o'clock and filled the whole house with mouthwatering aromas.

Whether it came from a church cookbook or the back of a Campbell's soup can, these retro recipes were designed to stretch a dollar and feed a crowd.

Today I’m sharing 25 retro dinner recipes from the 60s that absolutely deserve a spot back on your meal plan. These are the dishes that feel like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen-simple, satisfying, and full of nostalgic flavor.

Retro Dinner Recipes from the 60s

1

Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

Ground beef patties simmered in a rich brown onion gravy. A TV dinner staple of the 60s, it was a thrifty way to serve something that felt upscale.

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2

Chicken à la King

Chicken à la King

Creamy chicken with mushrooms and bell peppers served over toast or rice. This elegant-yet-easy dish was a favorite at dinner parties and church luncheons.

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3

Swiss Steak Recipe

Swiss Steak Recipe

Beef round steak simmered in tomato sauce with onions and peppers. Often served to company, this dish was considered a hearty, home-cooked treat.

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4

Old Fashioned Beef Stroganoff

Old Fashioned Beef Stroganoff

Tender beef and mushrooms in a sour cream gravy over noodles. Imported from Russian cuisine, this creamy dish felt sophisticated for the time.

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5

Classic Retro Porcupine Meatballs

Classic Retro Porcupine Meatballs

Beef meatballs mixed with uncooked rice and simmered in tomato sauce. It got its quirky name from the way the rice sticks out as it cooks—a kid favorite!

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6

Goulash

Goulash

Elbow macaroni, ground beef, and tomato sauce cooked in one pot. This budget-friendly dish was known in some regions as "American Chop Suey."

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7

Old Fashioned Liver and Onions

Old Fashioned Liver and Onions

Pan-fried liver served with caramelized onions. Love it or hate it, this iron-rich meal was a thrifty dinner option in the 60s.

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8

Ground Beef and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

Ground Beef and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes

Ground beef cooked in savory brown gravy and served over mashed potatoes. A meat-and-potatoes meal that was pure comfort food.

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9

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

Egg noodles baked with canned tuna, peas, and cream soup. This pantry staple dinner was the definition of midweek convenience.

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10

Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini

Shredded chicken and spaghetti baked in creamy sauce with cheese. Church cookbooks and potluck tables featured this one often.

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11

Traditional Meatloaf Recipe with Glaze

Traditional Meatloaf Recipe with Glaze

Ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs and topped with ketchup. Every grandma had her own version of this family favorite.

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12

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Bone-in chicken baked over uncooked rice and mushroom soup. A no-fuss meal that practically cooked itself in the oven.

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13

Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Sliced potatoes layered with ham and cheese sauce. It was the best way to use leftover Easter or Sunday ham.

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14

Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers

Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers

Peppers filled with seasoned beef and rice, baked in tomato sauce. A colorful and filling dinner that felt a little fancy.

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15

Pineapple Baked Ham

Pineapple Baked Ham

Ham topped with canned pineapple and cherries, glazed with brown sugar. This mid-century main course always made a statement at Sunday dinner.

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16

Spam and Eggs

Spam and Eggs

Fried Spam slices served with eggs and toast. A post-WWII staple that lingered in breakfast-for-dinner rotations.

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17

Old Fashioned Corned Beef Hash

Old Fashioned Corned Beef Hash

Chopped corned beef and potatoes fried until crispy. An easy skillet meal that made the most of pantry goods.

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18

The Best Southern Fried Chicken

The Best Southern Fried Chicken

Crispy, seasoned chicken thighs or drumsticks often served with instant mashed potatoes. The popularity of TV dinners brought this classic to weeknight tables.

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19

Shrimp Newburg Recipe

Shrimp Newburg Recipe

Shrimp in a creamy sherry sauce served over toast or pastry shells. A fancy choice for guests that was surprisingly simple to make.

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20

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe

Ground beef simmered in a tangy tomato sauce and piled onto buns. Messy, fun, and always a hit with the kids.

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21

Creamed Chipped Beef and Toast

Creamed Chipped Beef and Toast

Dried beef in white sauce served over toast. Originally military food, this remained a nostalgic choice for many households.

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22

“TUNA PEA WIGGLE” Creamed onToast

“TUNA PEA WIGGLE” Creamed onToast

Tuna and peas in white sauce served on toast or noodles. The name may be silly, but it was a comforting budget meal.

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23

The Best Homemade Deviled Ham Spread for Sandwiches

The Best Homemade Deviled Ham Spread for Sandwiches

Minced canned ham with mayo and seasonings, spread between slices of white bread. Made with Underwood Deviled Ham, it was perfect for lunches or light dinners.

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24

Chicken Egg Foo Young

Chicken Egg Foo Young

A Chinese-American omelet made with eggs, bean sprouts, onions, and sometimes meat, served with savory brown gravy.As takeout and home-cooked “exotic” dishes became trendy in the 1960s, Egg Foo Young became a dinner option that felt both adventurous and accessible.

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25

Classic Turkey Tetrazzini

Classic Turkey Tetrazzini

Leftover turkey, spaghetti noodles, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce all baked into a cheesy casserole.This cozy classic gained popularity in the 60s as a way to reinvent holiday leftovers—and it often showed up in church cookbooks and family recipe boxes.

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Wrap-Up

Whether you grew up eating these dishes or you're just discovering the joys of retro comfort food, these 25 retro dinner recipes from the 60s are worth a comeback. They capture the creativity, thrift, and heart that defined home cooking in grandma's kitchen.

From cozy casseroles to quirky classics, they’re just as satisfying today as they were back then.

FAQs About 1960s Dinner Recipes

What ingredients were popular in 1960s dinners?

Canned soups, boxed mixes, Spam, tuna, and instant mashed potatoes were common pantry staples in the 60s.

Were casseroles really that popular?

Absolutely! Casseroles were affordable, easy to prep, and could feed a whole family-perfect for busy homemakers.

Are any of these recipes still popular today?

Yes! Many of them, like Sloppy Joes, Meatloaf, and Chicken à la King, still show up in modern cookbooks and dinner rotations.

What was the appeal of TV dinners?

Convenience. TV dinners meant no cooking and could be enjoyed while watching your favorite shows-a novelty in the 60s.

Can I modernize these recipes?

Of course! You can use fresher ingredients, swap in low-sodium or organic versions, or lighten them up while keeping the nostalgic flavor.

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