These '80s recipes are going to give you a serious case of dinnertime nostalgia. Bring a few of these dishes back to the future and serve them up tonight (they're just as delicious as they were back then).
19 Dinner Recipes from the ’80s That Give Us Serious Flashbacks (in a Good Way)
Updated on May 05, 2024
Mom’s Swedish Meatballs
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
Be sure to check out some of our favorite ’80s snack foods, too!
1/19
2/19
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 439 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
3/19
Chicken-Fried Steak
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 steak with 1/3 cup gravy: 563 calories, 28g fat (5g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 46g protein.
4/19
Pepperoni Pan Pizza
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 pizzas (9 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I've spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they're paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 460 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1096mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
5/19
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.
6/19
Walking Tacos
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without toppings): 530 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1017mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 24g protein.
7/19
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 casseroles (6 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll please everyone in the family with this inviting and filling chicken Tater Tot casserole. It tastes like a chicken potpie topped with Tater Tots. —Fran Allen, St Louis, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 374 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 925mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
8/19
Chili Mac Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 313 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 758mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
9/19
Slow-Cooked Chicken a la King
Total Time
7 hours 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I know I'll be having a busy day with little time for cooking, I prepare this tasty main dish. Brimming with tender chicken and colorful vegetables, it smells so good while cooking. —Eleanor Mielke, Snohomish, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup chicken mixture: 174 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 268mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
10/19
Stuffed Peppers with Cheese
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my favorite summertime supper because I can use peppers and tomatoes fresh from my garden.—Betty DeRoad, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 419 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 509mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein.
11/19
Best Chicken Potpie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 potpies (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
12/19
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With only a few ingredients, this roast beef is a snap to throw together. And after cooking all day, the meat is wonderfully tender. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 278 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 735mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
13/19
Chicken Divan Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty chicken divan recipe was given to me by a friend years ago, and it's been a family favorite ever since. My daughters enjoy making this dish in their own homes and get the same enthusiastic compliments I always do! —Mary Pat Lucia, North East, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 412 calories, 24g fat (12g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
14/19
Zippy Breaded Pork Chops
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Need a perky update for pork chops? Ranch dressing and Parmesan breading add a delightful zing. —Ann Ingalls, Gladstone, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop: 201 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 437mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
15/19
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you need supper fast, this tuna casserole with peas, peppers and onions makes a super one-dish meal. Cooked chicken breast works well in place of the tuna. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 340 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 699mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
16/19
French Bread Pizza
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Slices of this hearty french bread pizza are guaranteed to please. I sometimes substitute spaghetti sauce for the pizza sauce, or add our favorite veggies to the toppings. —Sue McLaughlin, Onawa, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 296 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 764mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
17/19
Orange Spiced Ham Steak
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I turn orange marmalade, mustard and just a hint of ginger into a glaze for ham that comes together super quick but feels exceptional. And that makes it perfect for when I’m entertaining brunch guests! —Connie Moore, Medway, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 ounces cooked ham: 188 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 885mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 14g protein.
18/19
Penne alla Vodka
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I invite first-time guests over for dinner. Many friends have asked me to make the recipe again years after they first tried it. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 504 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 966mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
19/19
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.
