20 Retro Food Combos That Will Remind You of Your Childhood

Some food combos are just nostalgic, like franks and beans or Jell-O and whipped cream—or even Velveeta and Ro-Tel (here’s our take on the classic game-day dip). We rounded up our favorite retro food pairings, and you just might want to recreate them today.

Peanut Butter + Banana

Featured in: Chocolate Chip, PB, Banana Sandwiches

I love finding new ways to combine peanut butter, chocolate and bananas. I was shocked when my nephews (who are very picky eaters) loved these sammies. —Charlotte Gehle, Brownstown, Michigan

Jell-O + Cool Whip

Featured in: Stained Glass Gelatin

Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Grilled Cheese + Tomato Soup

Featured in: Satisfying Tomato Soup
After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn’t puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontarion

Ritz Crackers

Featured in: Dipped Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
You’ll love to give tins of these chocolate-coated cookies to your lucky friends. The shortcut holiday recipe is almost too simple to believe! Here’s how to make peanut butter cookies without eggs. —Jackie Howell, Gordo, Alabama

Mayo + Fruit

Featured in: Company Fruit Salad
We first tried a cream cheese fruit salad like this at a local deli. Since I couldn’t get that recipe, I started mixing up different dressings until I hit on this one. Now I make this refreshing delightful salad for every picnic and get-to-gether. It can be a snack, side dish or dessert. —Connie Osterhout, Napoleon, Ohio

Ham + Pickles

Featured in: Ham Pickle Pinwheels
My mom introduced me to this ham pickle pinwheels appetizer a number of years ago, and I’ve been making them for parties ever since. They’re easy to make and are always well received by guests. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio

Peanut Butter + Jelly

Featured in: Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast
I’ve always tried to make cooking fun—for myself, my daughters and my grandchildren. Cooking also teaches children the importance of following directions and being organized. This gourmet peanut butter and jelly recipe is easy to make and kids really like it. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma

Celery + Olives

Featured in: Olive-Stuffed Celery
My grandmother taught both me and my mom this appetizer recipe for stuffed celery. We always serve it at Christmas and Thanksgiving. The stuffing is so yummy that even if you don’t normally care for the ingredients on their own, you’ll love the end result. —Stacy Powell, Santa Fe, Texas

Macaroni and Cheese + Hot Dots

Featured in: Mini Mac & Cheese Dogs
We wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Marshmallows + Cool Whip

Featured in: Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky

Velveeta + Shells

Featured in: Cheesy Chicken ‘n’ Shells
When our friend served us this entree, I asked her for the recipe right away. It was so good, I thought I would share it with others. I cut the recipe down for a meal or two, but it can easily be doubled or tripled. —Jodee Harding, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Bologna + Cheese

Featured in: Stromboli Sandwich
I’ve made this Stromboli sandwich many times for parties, and it gets great reviews. You can add ingredients and spices to suit your taste. The recipe is so good I just had to share it with you! —Leigh Lauer, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Spam + Anything

Featured in: Bacon-Wrapped Spam Bites
These sweet and savory bites use Spam—a favorite ingredient in Hawaii—in a fun new way. Bet you can’t stop at just one! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Root Beer + Ice Cream

Featured in: Root Beer Float Pie
This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don’t even need to use an oven. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Pineapple + Ham

Featured in: Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
With just four ingredients, this pineapple glaze for ham is straightforward and simple — just what you’re looking for in a holiday ham with easy steps. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Carrots + Raisins

Featured in: Fresh Ginger Carrot Salad
I created this salad as an alternative to the mayonnaise, raisin and carrot salad my mom used to make. I had some leftover ginger and really liked the fresh taste. I have a sweet tooth, and this salad quenches it! —Lauri Cherian, Scott Depot, West Virginia

Ketchup + Jelly

Featured in: Party Appetizer Meatballs
These are a favorite at parties and gatherings. The recipe is easy, and the meatballs can be made well ahead of time and frozen until needed. I think what makes them taste so good is the sauce. —Nathalie Guest, Caledon, Ontario

Cottage Cheese + Pears

Featured in: Pear Cottage Cheese Salad
Perfect any time, this quick-fix snack makes a great pack-along lunch, too! —Jeannie Thomas, Dry Ridge, Kentucky

Meat Loaf + Ketchup

Featured in: Mom’s Meat Loaf
Mom made the best meatloaf, and now I do, too. When I first met my husband, he didn’t care for homemade meatloaf, but this won him over. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas

Tuna + Peas

Featured in: Creamy Tuna-Noodle Casserole
When you need supper fast, this tuna noodle casserole makes a super one-dish meal. Cooked chicken breast works well in place of the tuna. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah