11 Delicious Meals from the ’70s That I Still Make (and Love) Today

Growing up in the 1970s meant dinner tables filled with now-iconic dishes that combined convenience with homemade goodness. Many of these recipes came from dog-eared cookbooks or handwritten recipe cards passed down through generations. While food trends have come and gone, these 11 classics from my childhood kitchen continue to bring comfort and joy whenever I prepare them for my family today.

1. Beef Stroganoff

My mother’s beef stroganoff recipe remains unchanged since 1974, and for good reason! Tender strips of beef swimming in a mushroom-sour cream sauce create magic on a plate.

I remember coming home from school to that unmistakable aroma filling our kitchen. The secret? A splash of sherry and a pinch of paprika that transforms ordinary ingredients into something special.

My kids now request it for their birthdays, continuing the stroganoff tradition into a third generation.

2. Chicken à la King

Nothing screams ’70s elegance like Chicken à la King! The combination of diced chicken, bell peppers, and mushrooms in a velvety cream sauce remains a household favorite decades later.

Back then, hosting bridge club meant that my mother would serve this over toasted bread points or puff pastry shells. Today, I’ve updated it slightly by using free-range chicken and fresh vegetables instead of canned, but the essence remains untouched.

For quick weeknight dinners, I serve it over rice or biscuits. The versatility makes it perfect for using leftover roast chicken while still feeling like a special meal worth sharing.

3. Quiche Lorraine

Remember when real men didn’t eat quiche? That silly 1980s book never stopped my dad from devouring second helpings of my mom’s Quiche Lorraine on Sunday mornings!

The flaky, buttery crust holding a silky custard studded with crispy bacon and Swiss cheese still makes appearances at my brunch gatherings. I’ve kept the recipe card with my mother’s handwriting – complete with bacon grease stains in the corner.

4. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed peppers were my father’s specialty, appearing whenever the garden produced too many bell peppers at once. The rainbow of red, yellow and green peppers standing upright in the baking dish always delighted us kids.

His version combined ground beef, rice, onions, and tomato sauce with a sprinkle of Parmesan on top. The peppers would soften perfectly while the filling remained moist and flavorful.

Now I grow peppers in my own garden specifically for this dish. Sometimes I substitute quinoa for rice or turkey for beef, but the essence remains the same – a complete meal in an edible, colorful container.

5. Tuna Casserole

Friday nights in our Catholic household meant tuna casserole without fail! This budget-friendly dish combines canned tuna, egg noodles, frozen peas, and cream of mushroom soup.

During college, this became my go-to comfort food during finals week. Today, it’s what I make when nostalgia hits or when the grocery budget gets tight – proving that sometimes the simplest foods create the strongest memories.

6. Fondue Night

Saturday nights in 1976 meant one thing at our house: fondue! Dad would set up the special pot in the center of the table while Mom prepared platters of bread cubes, apple slices, and vegetables for dipping.

The ritual of spearing food on long forks and swirling it through bubbling Swiss cheese created instant family togetherness.

I’ve revived this tradition with my own children, alternating between classic cheese fondue and chocolate versions for dessert. The conversation and laughter around the fondue pot remains as wonderful as the food itself.

7. Meatloaf with Glaze

The secret to my grandmother’s meatloaf wasn’t in the meat mixture – it was all about that glossy, tangy-sweet ketchup glaze caramelizing on top! Every Wednesday night, this humble centerpiece would appear on our table like clockwork.

Grandma would mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, grated onion, and her mystery seasonings before forming the perfect loaf. The mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and a splash of vinegar would transform in the oven into a sticky-sweet crust that we’d fight over.

I’ve tried fancy meatloaf recipes with exotic ingredients, but always return to this simple version. Some foods just shouldn’t be modernized – they’re perfect exactly as they were.

8. Pineapple-Glazed Ham

Easter dinner wasn’t complete without a pineapple-glazed ham taking center stage on our dining table. The spiral-cut meat adorned with pineapple rings and secured by cloves was as much decoration as it was dinner.

The glaze would bubble and caramelize in the oven, creating a sweet counterpoint to the salty ham. We kids would hover nearby, hoping to snag a glazed pineapple ring before dinner was served. The combination of sweet, salty, and smoky flavors reminds everyone at the table of simpler times and family gatherings past.

9. Shrimp Scampi

My first attempt at “gourmet” cooking came at the age of 12 when my Mom let me prepare shrimp scampi for my father’s birthday. I still remember the sizzle of garlic in butter and the intoxicating aroma that filled our kitchen.

The magic happened when white wine hit the hot pan, creating an instant sauce that would coat both the pink shrimp and the waiting pasta. A squeeze of lemon and a handful of parsley finished what seemed like restaurant-quality food to my young self.

Four decades later, this 15-minute meal remains in heavy rotation at my house. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor transports me back to that first proud cooking moment every single time.

10. Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu appeared whenever we had company in the ’70s – its French name adding instant sophistication to our suburban dinner table! The process of pounding chicken breasts flat, layering them with ham and Swiss cheese, then rolling and breading them felt like culinary artistry.

Mother would secure each roll with toothpicks before baking them to golden perfection. Cutting into one revealed the beautiful spiral of chicken, ham, and melted cheese that never failed to impress guests.

Today’s version in my kitchen stays true to the original, though I’ve swapped processed ham for prosciutto. The combination of crispy exterior and molten cheese center remains the definition of special occasion food.

11. Black Forest Cake

My aunt Marge was famous for her Black Forest Cake – a towering creation that appeared at every family birthday. The contrast of dark chocolate cake, bright red cherries, and clouds of whipped cream created a showstopper that tasted even better than it looked.

She’d soak each layer with cherry liqueur (adults only!) before assembling the masterpiece. Chocolate curls decorated the top, while cherries with stems attached circled the perimeter like a crown.

I’ve preserved her handwritten recipe card like a treasure. Making this cake connects me to family memories while creating new ones. Despite changing dessert trends, nothing has ever topped this retro classic for special celebrations in our home.