25 Vintage Pasta and Casserole Bake Recipes

Published: Sep 18, 2025 by Jessica @ TMG · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

There’s just something magical about pulling a warm casserole or pasta bake out of the oven. The gooey cheese, the savory aroma, the way everyone gathers around the table-it always brings me right back to grandma’s kitchen. Growing up in the 1970s, casseroles weren’t just food; they were love baked into a dish. Whether it was a church potluck, a family Sunday supper, or one of those weeknights when mom needed something easy and filling, a good casserole was always there.

If you love cozy comfort food recipes with a nostalgic twist, you’ll adore this collection of vintage pasta and casserole bake recipes. These classics were staples in American kitchens for decades, from tuna noodle casserole in the 1950s to the cheesy baked ziti that graced family gatherings.

25 Vintage Pasta and Casserole Bakes

1

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

Grandma’s Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole

A creamy mix of egg noodles, canned tuna, peas, and cream of mushroom soup topped with buttery breadcrumbs. This Depression- and postwar-era dish became a staple in 1950s kitchens when casseroles were prized for stretching a budget.

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2

Johnny Marzetti Casserole Recipe

Johnny Marzetti Casserole Recipe

Ground beef, macaroni, tomato sauce, and cheese baked into a casserole. Born in Ohio in the early 1900s, it became a Midwestern favorite and even made its way into school cafeterias.

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3

Old Fashioned Hamburger Casserole

Old Fashioned Hamburger Casserole

Ground beef, pasta, tomato soup, and cheese baked into a filling dish. This budget-friendly dish soared in the 1950s when convenience foods like canned soup made weeknight dinners quick and comforting.

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4

Old Fashioned Chicken, Rice and Cheese Casserole

Old Fashioned Chicken, Rice and Cheese Casserole

Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy mushroom soup baked into one dish. Popular in the 1950s, this casserole was the definition of “set it and forget it” cooking.

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5

Easy Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe with Broccoli

Easy Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe with Broccoli

Chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce topped with breadcrumbs. This elegant casserole was a potluck star of the 1950s and 1960s, often served at ladies’ luncheons.

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6

Old Fashioned Broccoli Cheez Whiz Casserole.

Old Fashioned Broccoli Cheez Whiz Casserole.

Cooked rice with broccoli, cream soup, and cheddar cheese baked together. This became a staple side dish in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing at every church supper and holiday table.

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7

Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

Ziti pasta baked with marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella until bubbly and golden. Italian-American families made this a Sunday dinner favorite in the 1950s and beyond.

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8

Best Lasagna Recipe

Best Lasagna Recipe

Layers of pasta, meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella baked to bubbling perfection. Italian immigrants brought this to the U.S., and by the mid-20th century it was a classic comfort food.

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9

Easy Baked Spaghetti

Easy Baked Spaghetti

Spaghetti tossed with meat sauce and baked firm with cheese on top. In the 1960s and 1970s, this dish became a potluck essential—easy to make ahead and serve by the slice.

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10

Classic Stuffed Shells Recipe

Classic Stuffed Shells Recipe

Jumbo shells stuffed with ricotta and spinach, smothered in marinara and mozzarella. This cozy pasta bake became popular in Italian-American households in the 1960s.

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11

Swedish Meatball Recipe

Swedish Meatball Recipe

Egg noodles, Swedish-style meatballs, and creamy gravy baked together. Meatballs gained a mid-century boost in popularity, especially when turned into comforting casseroles.

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12

Spinach Noodle Casserole

Spinach Noodle Casserole

Noodles, spinach, sour cream, and cheese baked into a creamy, savory casserole. In the postwar years, homemakers found creative ways to sneak more vegetables into meals.

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13

Creamy Ham and Noodle Casserole

Creamy Ham and Noodle Casserole

Egg noodles mixed with diced ham, peas, and cheese sauce baked to golden perfection. A thrifty way to stretch leftovers, especially after Easter or Christmas.

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14

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Elbow macaroni baked with creamy cheese sauce and a crunchy topping. This cozy dish took off in the 1930s and 1940s and quickly became a family favorite.

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15

Homemade Goulash

Homemade Goulash

Elbow macaroni with ground beef, tomato sauce, and paprika baked together. Inspired by Hungarian goulash, this Americanized version was beloved during the Depression.

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16

Creamy Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Creamy Beef Stroganoff Casserole

Egg noodles tossed with mushrooms, sour cream, and ground beef. Adapted from Russian cuisine, it gained U.S. popularity in the casserole-loving 1950s.

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17

The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie

The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie

Ground beef, vegetables, and gravy topped with mashed potatoes. Though English in origin, it became a staple of 1940s and 1950s American home cooking.

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18

Tamale Pie (with Classic Cornmeal Crust)

Tamale Pie (with Classic Cornmeal Crust)

Cornmeal crust baked with spiced beef, beans, and tomatoes. This Tex-Mex-inspired favorite grew popular in the 1930s and 1940s as canned goods became kitchen staples.

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19

Homemade Chili Mac Bake

Homemade Chili Mac Bake

Elbow macaroni mixed with chili and baked under a layer of cheese. This dish was a weeknight hero in the 1960s and 1970s for busy working families.

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20

Cabbage Roll Casserole

Cabbage Roll Casserole

Layers of cabbage, beef, rice, and tomato sauce baked together. A time-saving version of old-world stuffed cabbage rolls, popular in mid-century Eastern European-American homes.

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21

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe

Thinly sliced potatoes layered with ham and creamy sauce. In the 1940s and 1950s, thrifty homemakers leaned on this recipe to stretch holiday leftovers.

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22

Green Bean Macaroni Casserole

Green Bean Macaroni Casserole

Green beans, mushroom soup, pasta, and crispy onions baked until bubbly. This twist on Campbell’s 1955 classic made the dish hearty enough for potlucks.

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23

Noodle Kugel

Noodle Kugel

Egg noodles baked with sour cream, cottage cheese, and raisins or sugar. A beloved Jewish comfort food that found its way into mid-century American kitchens.

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24

Zucchini and Pasta Bake

Zucchini and Pasta Bake

Zucchini layered with pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese like a lighter lasagna. This became popular in the 1970s when gardens overflowed with summer squash.

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25

Tater Tot Casserole

Tater Tot Casserole

A cozy mix of ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and green beans baked under a golden layer of crispy tater tots. This casserole rose to popularity in the Midwest in the 1960s and 1970s when frozen foods became a household staple, making it a weeknight favorite for busy families.

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Wrap-Up

There’s a reason these vintage pasta and casserole bake recipes have stood the test of time. They’re cozy, filling, and they carry the taste of home in every bite. From grandma’s creamy tuna noodle casserole to the gooey layers of baked ziti, these dishes remind us of Sunday suppers, potlucks, and the comfort of simpler times. Next time you’re craving a meal that warms both heart and belly, try one of these retro classics.

FAQs

What makes a casserole “vintage”?

Vintage casseroles often feature pantry staples like canned soups, pasta, and cheese. These dishes were especially popular from the 1930s through the 1970s.

Can I modernize these recipes?

Yes! Many home cooks today lighten casseroles by using fresh vegetables, whole-grain pasta, or homemade sauces instead of canned soups.

Why were casseroles so popular in the 1950s?

They were affordable, filling, and convenient. Perfect for busy homemakers balancing family meals with postwar life.

What pasta works best in casseroles?

Short-cut pasta like ziti, macaroni, or egg noodles hold up best in baked casseroles because they soak in sauce without turning mushy.

Do vintage casseroles freeze well?

Most do! Dishes like lasagna, baked ziti, and chicken and rice casseroles freeze beautifully for future meals.

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