The 1950s were all about hearty meals, comforting casseroles, and classic desserts that brought families together.
From creamy tuna noodle casserole to sweet pineapple upside-down cake, these recipes were staples in kitchens across America.
Whether you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to try a timeless dish, these popular 1950s recipes are simple, satisfying, and full of flavor!
Here are some of the most popular recipes from the 1950s, featuring classic comfort foods, casseroles, and timeless desserts:
1. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups egg noodles, cooked
- 1 can tuna, drained
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions:
Mix noodles, tuna, soup, and milk, then place in a casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
2. Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients, shape into a loaf, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
3. Chicken à la King
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
Sauté mushrooms and peppers in butter, add chicken and cream, and simmer until thickened. Serve over toast or rice.
4. Salisbury Steak
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
Shape beef mixture into patties, brown in a skillet, then simmer in broth and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Jell-O Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 box flavored gelatin (lemon or lime)
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
Instructions:
Prepare gelatin, fold in pineapple and marshmallows, chill until set, then top with whipped cream.
6. Deviled Eggs
Ingredients:
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Paprika for garnish
Instructions:
Halve eggs, mix yolks with mayo and mustard, then spoon mixture back into whites. Sprinkle with paprika.
7. Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup mixed vegetables
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 pie crust
Instructions:
Mix chicken, vegetables, and cream, place in a pie crust, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
8. Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef strips
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Instructions:
Sauté beef and mushrooms, add broth, and simmer. Stir in sour cream and serve over cooked noodles.
9. Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups green beans
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
Instructions:
Mix beans, soup, and milk, place in a dish, and top with fried onions. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
10. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 can pineapple slices
- 1 box yellow cake mix
Instructions:
Melt butter in a cake pan, sprinkle with brown sugar, arrange pineapple slices, and pour cake batter on top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes.
11. Baked Alaska
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cake, sliced
- 2 cups ice cream
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions:
Top pound cake slices with ice cream, freeze, then cover with whipped egg whites. Broil for 1-2 minutes until golden.
12. Shrimp Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp
- 1/2 cup cocktail sauce
- Lemon wedges
Instructions:
Chill shrimp, serve with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
13. Pot Roast with Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef roast
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions:
Place beef in a slow cooker with vegetables and broth, cook on low for 6-8 hours.
14. Chiffon Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-baked pie crust
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
Instructions:
Mix sugar and lemon juice, fold in whipped egg whites, then pour into the crust and chill.
15. Sloppy Joes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions:
Cook beef, add ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, then serve on buns.
16. Cheese Fondue
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions:
Melt cheese with wine and cornstarch, rub the pot with garlic, and serve with bread cubes.
17. Swedish Meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
Form meatballs, brown in a skillet, then simmer in cream sauce.
18. Chocolate Malt Milkshake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons malted milk powder
Instructions:
Blend all ingredients until smooth, serve in a tall glass with a straw.
19. Waldorf Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped apples
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients and chill before serving.
20. Cherry Jell-O Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 box cherry gelatin
- 1 pre-baked pie crust
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
Instructions:
Prepare gelatin, fold in whipped cream, pour into crust, and chill.
21. Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 4 potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Layer potatoes and ham in a baking dish, pour over milk, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
22. Beef Wellington
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef tenderloin
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions:
Sear beef, wrap in mushrooms and puff pastry, brush with egg wash, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.
23. Chicken Divan
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Layer chicken and broccoli in a baking dish, pour over soup, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
24. Liver and Onions
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef liver, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
Soak liver in milk for 30 minutes, then cook with onions in butter until browned.
25. Baked Ham with Pineapple Glaze
Ingredients:
- 1 ham
- 1 can pineapple slices
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
Instructions:
Score ham, place pineapple slices on top, sprinkle with brown sugar and cloves, and bake at 325°F (165°C) for 1.5 hours.
26. Tomato Aspic
Ingredients:
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
Dissolve gelatin in warm tomato juice, mix with celery and lemon juice, pour into a mold, and chill until set.
27. Spam and Eggs
Ingredients:
- 1 can Spam, sliced
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
Fry Spam in butter, then cook eggs to your preference and serve together.
28. Cheese Ball
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
Mix ingredients, shape into a ball, and chill before serving with crackers.
29. Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 large tomatoes
- 1 can tuna, drained
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chopped celery
Instructions:
Mix tuna with mayo and celery, hollow out tomatoes, and fill with tuna salad.
30. Rice Pudding
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Simmer rice, milk, sugar, and vanilla until thickened. Serve warm or chilled.