Top 12+ Retro Dishes That Will Make You Miss the Good Old Days

Every family has those classic recipes that bring back memories of good times and special gatherings. These 12 retro dishes capture the flavors of the past, from comforting casseroles to iconic desserts.

Creamed Chipped Beef

I tried this when living in the United States, and maybe it was the quality, but I was not overawed. Effectively, it is bechamel white sauce with little strips of fried beef, though some people use burger meat or something else and eat it on toast. "That was something we alternated with Chicken a la King, "recalls someone who experienced the '70s. "We were poor growing up and existed on a single mom salary."

Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia salad combines fruits like mandarin oranges, pineapple, and maraschino cherries with mini marshmallows and coconut, usually mixed with whipped cream or sour cream. This sweet and tangy salad was a favorite at potlucks and family gatherings, bringing a colorful, nostalgic addition to the table with its tropical, creamy flavors.

Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a comforting dish of tender beef cooked in a creamy, savory sauce with mushrooms and onions, usually served over egg noodles. Popularized in the mid-20th century, this hearty meal became a go-to for families craving warmth and flavor in a simple yet satisfying dinner.

Tuna Casserole

A true classic, tuna casserole blends canned tuna with noodles and a creamy sauce, often topped with crispy breadcrumbs or potato chips for extra texture. This dish was a weeknight staple in many homes, valued for its convenience and comforting taste, and loved by families across generations.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Caramelized pineapple rings and cherries give pineapple upside-down cake its signature look and taste. Flipped after baking, this soft, buttery cake was popular for its stunning presentation and deliciously sweet, tropical flavors, making it a hit at celebrations and family gatherings.

Round Steak

"My mom cooked round steak, so it was like a hockey puck," jokes a new thread poster. I haven't tried a round steak, but it gets a bad reputation for its texture and lack of flavor. "Yes, round steak has got to be one of the cheapest, toughest cuts of meat," a kindred spirit agrees.

Organ Meat

"Generally, animal's internal organs aren't on the butcher shelf much these days," claims a meat eater. I am unsure about this — it depends on where you live. Organ meat is becoming popular with the keto crowd and other fitness enthusiasts. Others in the thread feel this way, too. "But if you want them, you have to go to a specialty butcher, and they are no longer cheap," claims one such person.

Liver and Onions

"I couldn't stand to be in the house the day my mom cooked it," says someone with liver flashbacks. "I'd come home from school, walk in the house and instantly know what it was, (then) I'd walk back outside." I feel you, partner. Nothing makes a teenager run from a house more than the smell of burnt rubber.

Chicken a la King

This dish was a British household favorite in the '80s. It is chicken and gravy finished with cream and served on buttered toast. Our family rendition had fried onions and peppers, and we ate it with boiled rice. "Chicken A la King" was a standard hot lunch at school in the '70s," says someone who grew up in the dish's heyday.

Lime Green Jello Salad

"Lots of things I haven't seen in a while," says a commenter. "Lime green jello with carrots and marshmallows comes to mind." This comment caused a double-take, which prompted swift research. Yes, lime jello salad was a thing — but with carrots and marshmallows? Much like the parachute jacket, the anti-eating mask, and the Hindenburg, lime jello salad can please remain part of history.

Hamburger Helper

Being British, I didn't know what to think when I first discovered this product. I assumed it was some kind of seasoning to make hamburgers better. Hamburger Helper is a pack of freeze-dried carbs and seasoning, which one cooks with ground-up hamburger meat.

However, there are other options, such as tuna helper. "I reheated tuna helper at work once," jokes a rather inconsiderate office worker. "You want to see some angry people? Reheat tuna helper at work."

Shrimp Cocktail

"Shrimp Cocktail, sold refrigerated in six-packs of small glass jars," is our next commenter's offering. "Was so tasty, and the jars could be used as drinking glasses afterward." I don't miss shrimp cocktails. Even the name makes me feel uneasy — this comes after a traumatic event as a child involving watching a man slurp one down in a restaurant, the sick man.